Gazetted Vacancy

Ongoing National Office, Woden
- APS 6 $88,490 - $99,464
- Barbara Beatty/Edward Percival 02 6146 2166/ 02 6146 1546

**About the Stream, Group or Branch**:
The Payment Structures and Seniors Branch and Carer and Disability Payments Branch sit within the Social Security Stream in the Department of Social Services. The role of the branches is to provide policy advice on Australia’s social security system, which is designed to provide a safety net for people who, for reasons such as age, disability, caring responsibilities or unemployment, are unable to fully support themselves. The work of both branches varies between technical, detailed policy advice and broad, high level policy design.

It suits people with a range of skillsets and interests (including policy writing, ministerial briefing and correspondence, research and analysis, interpretation of legislation and technical numbers-based work), with a focus on the development of general policy skills.
Payment Structures and Seniors Branch has policy responsibility for a range of functions that cover the whole social security system, including:

- social security payment rates policy, including adequacy, rate structures and indexation
- means testing policy, including deeming, compensation, the treatment of a range of superannuation products, and incentives to supplement pensions through work and savings
- advice on the principles and cohesion of the social security system as a whole, including interactions with broader social policy.

The Branch also has policy responsibility for the Age Pension, the Home Equity Access Scheme and concession cards. Carer and Disability Payments Branch manages the administration, development and implementation of policy and legislation relating to the Disability Support Pension (DSP), Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, carer supplements and other supplementary payments for people with disability, the portability and residency rules for the social security system and interactions with the immigration system, and Australia’s portfolio of international social security agreements.

**Position Description**:
The positions offer the opportunity to contribute to the work of these busy and high achieving branches and to be involved in a range of tasks, such as:

- preparing advice for Ministers and the Executive on emerging policy issues and solutions
- developing and costing new policy proposals
- implementing Budget and other measures, including new legislation
- preparing a range of briefings, submissions, communications, correspondence and other documents
- providing advice on the administration and interpretation of existing policy and legislation
- develop drafting instructions for new or renewing legislation and/or legislative instruments
- contributing to the evidence base through ongoing policy and data analysis
- maintaining productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government and non-government agencies.

To be successful in this role you should have:

- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders to achieve joint outcomes
- strong analytical capabilities, problem-solving skills and sound judgement with the ability to think strategically
- the ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve outcomes
- experience in managing competing priorities and working under pressure
- personal drive, integrity and professionalism
- a minimum of 3 years experience in the Australian Public Service or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience.

**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 m