Aps6 Manager, Official Commemoration and

Location: Canberra, ACT

The Official Commemorations & Information Services team, within the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG), manage a workload that is highly visible and consistently delivered at a high tempo. The person occupying this role should have a good eye for detail, the ability to work on multiple tasks at the same time and manage complexity and ambiguity positively.

The Manager, Official Commemorations & Information Services is responsible for overseeing:

- Policy pertaining to the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) with regard to the war dead of the two world wars.
- Policy pertaining to the Australian Government’s program of post-war commemoration.
- Enable the provision of official commemoration.
- Use of the Service emblem on privately arranged commemorations.
- Provision of location and photographs (information services) of official commemorations within Australia and overseas and
- Preparation of written correspondence and promotional material relating to official commemoration, as well as the provision of advice and assistance in the management of issues relating to official commemoration and all related policy and procedures.

The role requires the ability to work with compassion and sensitivity and have a high level of emotional intelligence and resilience. Experience working with at-risk clients and managing behaviours that are challenging and that can be confronting is essential. It is also helpful to have a comprehensive understanding of the work of cemeteries and crematoria and their underlying legislation, particular to each state and territory.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing new policy proposals and challenging pre-existing policies to improve both the program of official commemoration, and the experience that veterans and their families have in engaging with the program. Successful applicants will be passionate about improving services for veterans and their families in a war graves context and will need to have strong oral and written communication skills. You will need to establish and manage strong relationships with clients and their families, veteran advocates, cemeteries, crematoria, funeral providers, DVA business units and ex-service organisations.

The key duties of the position include:

- Manage a small team in the provision of official commemoration and information services, guiding bereaved families and others through the process of official commemoration;
- Liaise effectively with internal networks within the Department and with external stakeholders, Government departments and others;
- Have a comprehensive knowledge of cemetery and crematorium practices, as well as state and territory legislation related to the industry;
- Work as part of a small cohesive team, with limited direction, to deliver quality outcomes including those related to CWGC policy, parliamentary and ministerial advice and activities, departmental and corporate reporting.
- Develop expertise in war graves policy; research and contribute to writing policy papers, reports and submissions which consider options, analyse information, and assess risk and service impacts;
- Liaise with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with regard to the war dead of the two world wars, including the identification of historical ‘non-commemoration’ cases;
- Represent the OAWG internally and externally, fostering and contributing to positive working relationships and a collegiate work environment; understanding and accommodating a range of different points of view and support colleagues to get the best results for the team.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be an Australian citizen to apply.

Notes:
This recruitment process is being used to fill an ongoing position.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for an initial specified term of up to 12 months.

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