Gazetted Vacancy

Ongoing National Office, Tuggeranong
- APS 5 $80,789 - $86,277
- Rhodina Ellison 02 6146 3369

**About the Stream, Group or Branch**:
Communities Group brings together policies and programs in the Department of Social Services that support civil society and the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australian communities, including through activities that focus on community cohesion and financial wellbeing.

Community Cohesion Branch (CCB) consists of five sections that manage programs that aim to improve social and economic participation, test outcomes-based approaches to social policy issues, help build inclusive, connected and resilient communities, and support volunteering.

Connected Communities Section is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs aimed at reducing isolation and building community capacity such as the Be Connected, Seniors Connected and Volunteer Grants.

Outcomes, Trials and Evidence Section is responsible for programs where projects are co-designed with communities, and delivered using outcomes-based approaches to build an evidence base for their impacts. Focus areas include people at risk of long-term unemployment and welfare dependence, and First Nations people impacted by child removal and/or family violence.

**Position Description**:
CCB is seeking to fill various positions at the APS 5 level with motivated officers that have effective oral and written communication skills, data and analytical skills, ability to think strategically and flexibly.
Roles include:

- assist with minutes, briefings and correspondence for the Minister and DSS executives
- assist with policy and program management regarding a range of programs delivered by CCB
- assist with other branch and group priorities as required.

Connected Communities:

- assist with grant round design and ongoing management for the Volunteer Grants program which assists community organisation to support the efforts of Australia’s volunteers
- liaise with a range of internal and external stakeholders including Federal Members of Parliament and community organisations
- under direction provide assistance with the extraction, reporting and analysis of data from departmental systems.

Outcomes, Trials and Evidence:

- coordinate project co-development processes, including developing project plans to deliver outputs during program timeframes
- liaise with external stakeholders around administrative and logístical questions, and schedule meetings with regard to their availability
- arrange and help assess quotes for travel, venue bookings and catering, considering the complexities involved with working in remote locations.
- experience in policy development, program management and/or data analysis
- effective communication skills, including experience in drafting quality written material to a wide range of audiences
- skills and experience in developing and maintaining productive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
- ability to work independently or under limited guidance and deliver results under varying timeframes, exercising initiative and judgement
- the ability to work effectively both within a team and independently, and the ability to prioritise and work within a changing environment.

**Eligibility / Additional Requirements**:
This recruitment process is being used to fill current and future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies. A merit pool of suitable applicants will be created which may be used to fill future vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Non-ongoing vacancies will be offered for a period of up to 18 months with the possibility of extension (up to a total period of 3 years). Some of these non-ongoing vacancies may become ongoing in the next 18 months.

Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool established through this selection process may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis.To be eligible for employment with Department of Social Services (the department), you must be an Australian citizen. An applicant's suitability for employment with the Department will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This will include an identity and criminal history background check.

**Eligibility to obtain an Australian Government Security Clearance**:
The suitable applicant must also obtain and maintain a security clearance conducted by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

Applicants also must be able to establish their background as checkable to be considered eligible for a security clearance. Any gaps or periods of time spent overseas for 12 or more months (cumulative) that cannot be verified by an Australian referee is deemed uncheckable, rendering the applicant ineligible for a security clearance. Background history must cover 5 / 10 years (Baseline / Negative Vet 1 or Negative Vet 2) of employment, education, residential, criminal history and anything else specified by the AGS