National Networks Officer, Aps Level 5, Questacon

**Job no**: 512695

**Employment type**: Ongoing

**Location**: Canberra

**Categories**: APS Level 5, Administration

**About the department**:
The department plays a key role in the Australian Government’s agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia’s existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID‑19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government’s economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.

**About Questacon**:
Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre has a vision for a better future for all Australians through engagement with science, technology and innovation. We work with partners and supporters to deliver inspirational learning experiences for young Australians, their teachers, families and communities.

The Science and Learning branch has a broad remit delivering fun, engaging and educational experiences for audiences nationally. This includes frontline delivery of national activities by our National Programs and Educator Programs sections, and in-house Learning Programs at our Canberra Centres.

**About the Team**:
Questacon’s National Networks team sits within the Science and Learning branch and is responsible for connecting with STEM engagement and museum networks, collaborating nationally and internationally with the STEM engagement ecosystem.

The National Networks team supports, promotes and enhances the work of both Questacon and departmental STEM programs by connecting, building and fostering networks.

This includes:

- providing the national coordination for the Inspiring Australia Network, which is known for the annual celebration of science, National Science Week and other year round opportunities for people underrepresented in STEM.
- providing further understanding, connection and collaboration with intersecting networks, enabling Questacon’s evolving approach to our national presence Strategy.
- engaging in two-way communication with our stakeholders and networks, providing appropriate guidance, sharing novel approaches, and connecting people with community leaders, experts and science communicators.

This role has many contact points with people both in person and virtually. It would suit someone with an interest in making STEM accessible to a wide audience including in remote and regional Australia. Ideally you will have strong interest in stakeholder management and have experience in STEM engagement events or activities.

As a key team member within National Alliances section, you will:

- understand, or have the ability to understand the functions of different teams within Questacon.
- have an eye for STEM content and be able to identify opportunities for special activities which arise from engagement with the network or STEM experts and have the ability to support Questacon teams to deliver or coordinate these activities.
- have well developed administration and written communication skills, including records management, minute taking, and preparing written updates to stakeholders.
- contribute to the development of corporate communications, governmental briefs, and create and share case studies and stories of network activity.
- be capable of identifying effective ways to communicate to colleagues the difficult to measure value of the Inspiring Australia Network, share stakeholder feedback, and contribute advice to inform future policy and delivery approaches.

**What you will do**:
The National Networks Officer is responsible for working with internal and external stakeholders to build and sustain relationships with networks that are relevant to Questacon’s role in fostering STEM engagement capacity and delivery in communities.

Key responsibilities are:

- Stakeholder engagement, supporting relationships with networks and communities, helping to identify opportunities to connect to other networks, organisations and individuals.
- Facilitate opportunities that provide value and enhancement to networks that Questacon intersects or engages with, including opportunities for professional development and network connection.
- Work with internal and externals colleagues to gather, share, and analyse information to raise the awareness of the value of STEM engagement.
- Assist with the development of communication materials and resources.
- Administration tasks, including logistics, reporting, record keeping, minute taking, and supporting the Inspiring Australia National Network and Inspiring Australia Managers.
- Work collaboratively with division and section staff as appropriate to support connections with national presence, National Science Week, travelling exhibitions activities and other bespoke activities.

**Eligibility**:
Prior to commencing, s