First Assistant Secretary

**Application Kit**

**Job Reference **23-MWDIV-19584

**Classification **SES BAND 2

**Job Title **First Assistant Secretary (Affirmative Measures - Indigenous)

**Division **First Nations Aged Care Commissioner

**Location **Canberra based position however other locations may be
considered (Canberra ACT, Darwin NT, Perth WA, Hobart TAS
and Adelaide SA)

**Status **Non-ongoing - 12 months with possible extension

**Vacancy type **Non ongoing

**Security Clearance **Negative Level 1

**Contact Officer **Margaret Hayes
Ph: 0414 241 534

**Role Description**

The **Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department)** is seeking a talented and experienced
First Nations person to foster and promote culturally safe, aged care for First Nations peoples across
the country. The interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner (the Commissioner) will ensure the
consult widely with First Nations peoples and stakeholders about their care and support needs, work
to break down silos between care and support systems and ensure First Nations peoples have a
trusted source of information about the aged care system and its efficacy for older First Nations
peoples. The Commissioner will review the impact of the Commonwealth’s aged care reforms on
First Nations peoples, including the availability of culturally safe aged care services for First Nations
elders. In the early stages, the interim Commissioner will also engage with First Nations peoples on
the functions, powers and responsibilities of a permanent Commissioner.

The Commissioner must be able to develop and lead a team and stakeholders to achieve a strategic
vision, establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and lead complex change
processes.

To be a strong contender for this important and challenging role you will need to be forward
- thinking, self-motivated, resilient, and adept at building relationships in a large, complex, and fast
- paced environment. Your strong leadership credentials and ability to engender trust and respect will
be complemented by sound judgement, a strong focus on results and the ability to resolve complex

issues in a public sector context, including by winning support, marshalling resources and leveraging
relationships.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Establish the First Nations Aged Care Commissioner as a trusted source of independent

information and evidence-based analysis of First Nations peoples’ experiences of the aged
care system
- Drawing on strong negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to engage with aged

care reforms, you will promote the fostering and development of culturally safe and tailored
aged care services for First Nations peoples across Australia
- Identify and contribute to the changes necessary to bring improvements for First Nations

peoples across all tiers of the aged care system through a focus on systemic issues and
solutions
- Support the identification of opportunities for regional and cross-sector responses that

deliver economies of scale in thin care and support markets where First Nations peoples
have unmet needs.

**Key Capabilities**
- Proven ability to demonstrate informed, authentic and respectful understanding of First

Nations cultures and societies.
- Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and sensitively with First Nations peoples and

communities.
- Recognised leader in a relevant field such as aged care, disability, primary or allied health.
- Experience in, or the ability to acquire knowledge of, public administration, legislative and

Commonwealth administrative processes.
***
- Ability to travel to various locations across Australia including cities, regional centres, remote

and very remote communities, particularly in the first six months of your appointment.
- High level communication skills, both written and verbal and an ability to build productive

relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders (particularly First Nations peoples).

**Highly desirable capabilities**
- Knowledge of the aged care system and the issues impacting First Nations peoples who

require, or seek access to, or receive aged care services.
- Knowledge of contemporary approaches to regulation and governance of complex systems.

**Affirmative Measure - Indigenous**

An affirmative measure allows a particular job in the Australian Public Service (APS) to be open only
to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons. The filling of this vacancy is intended to
constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the _Racial Discrimination Act 1975_.

Applicants must provide confirmation of heritage prior to being offered a role. A confirmation must
specify that you:

- are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent,
- identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- are accepted as such by the community in which you live, or formerly lived.

Please see the APSC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment Guide for more information on
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