Gaz - Aps6 - Nsw/act/qld/sa/vic - Freedom of

**Contact**: hiringManagerName **Phone**: 03 8682 2317
**Period of Vacancy**:Ongoing
**Number of Vacancies**:Several

**Who can apply**:
Please note this opportunity is available to current Australian Public Service employees and all eligible members of the community.

**About the Department of Home Affairs**:
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The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for centrally coordinated strategy and policy leadership in relation to domestic national security arrangements, law enforcement, emergency management, counter-terrorism, social cohesion, the protection of our sovereignty, the integrity of our border and the resilience of our national infrastructure.

The Australian Border Force, an operationally independent body within the Department of Home Affairs, is Australia's frontline border law enforcement agency and Australia's customs service. The Australian Border Force's mission is to protect Australia's border and facilitate the legitimate movement of people and goods across it.

**Overview of the Branch and Section**:
The **FOI and Records Management Branch **manages storage of and public access to information in accordance with legislation and Government policy. The Branch works across all areas of the Department to ensure that information is handled as a key strategic and operational business asset, managed in accordance with legislative and business requirements to support accountable and effective evidence-based decisions. Our functions include managing Freedom of Information requests and records management activities.

**FOI Section **is responsible for processing FOI access and amendment requests on behalf of the Department. The Section processes all FOI requests in collaboration with business areas within the Department and Australian Border Force. The Section develops policies, procedures and makes business improvements to the FOI program to ensure that the Department complies with its obligations for accessing and publishing information. The Section is a central coordination point for the Department's engagement with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in relation to reviews of decisions and complaints under the _Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982 _(the FOI Act).

**About the role**:
**We are looking for strong leaders who make an impact.**

Our Assistant Managers are responsible for leading teams to deliver high quality outcomes within a fast-paced service delivery environment governed by statutory FOI timeframes. Assistant Managers also oversee complex and sensitive requests and/or make decisions under the FOI Act, including consulting and providing FOI advice and support to internal and external stakeholders. Assistant Managers contribute to the Department’s response to investigations and reviews by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Assistant Managers also contribute and lead FOI reporting, briefing and business improvement activities.

**Specific duties/responsibilities**:
The Assistant Manager, FOI Section will:

- Lead the performance of a team of FOI decision makers and build team capacity through coaching, feedback and encouraging career development
- Plan and achieve Section goals by managing workflows and undertaking quality assurance to agreed service delivery standards. Identify and engage with risk in processes and individual cases
- Oversee complex, sensitive, or urgent requests, including undertaking research and interpreting legislation and guidelines. Consult and seek guidance from external and internal stakeholders, including senior leaders, to support quality outcomes
- Provide advice to internal and external stakeholders on the Department's obligations when accessing and amending information under the FOI Act and/or _Privacy Act 1988_
- Contribute to and lead business improvement and/or change management projects, and/or development and delivery of training programs.

**Role requirements/qualifications**:

- Strong communications skills and the ability to clearly convey technical information to a range of internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience in interpreting legislation and developing operational frameworks to support regulatory compliance, or the ability to quickly acquire
- Experience managing staff, including workforce planning and developing others to achieve results
- The ability to work in a fast-paced service delivery environment and manage competing priorities
- Strong commitment to the principles of Government transparency and accountability

**Applicant response**:
Please prepare a one-page Applicant Response in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

- How your skills, knowledge and experience will be releva