Freedom of Information

**Job no**: 512354

**Employment type**: Non-Ongoing - Specified Term, Ongoing

**Location**: Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne

**Categories**: Legal, APS Level 5, APS Level 6, Executive Level 1

**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 the team**:
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources Legal Branch advises all areas of the department on a broad range of legislative, program and policy issues affecting a diverse portfolio that supports Australia’s economic growth and job creation.

The Information Law team sits within the Legal Branch, and performs a variety of interesting and rewarding work, including:

- processing all aspects of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from initial access requests to AAT reviews;
- providing advice on privacy and general information handling/sharing obligations;
- managing the department’s response to privacy incidents;
- completing privacy threshold and impact assessments;
- developing and delivering training in these areas for the department;
- supporting relevant Minister’s Offices in relation to their FOI obligations; and
- generating practical guidance and governance material to ensure the department meets its relevant obligations.

The Information Law team provides a supportive and collegiate working environment that is fast-paced, challenging and enjoyable. The nature of the work undertaken by the department provides opportunities for the team to work closely with members of the Senior Executive and staff across the broad range of areas within the department, on a diverse array of unique, dynamic and interesting matters. The team strives to provide practical and solution focused advice and FOI processing services.

We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals to fill multiple vacancies. The individuals will have:

- The ability to work independently and as part of a team to contribute to, and facilitate the delivery of timely, accurate, practical and strategic FOI advice and processing services to the department.
- The ability to embrace and contribute to the branch culture of client-focussed service and responsiveness.
- Sound judgement and critical thinking skills that will support the team to manage FOI and information disclosure risks.
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- The ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities under tight timelines and within statutory deadlines.
- Demonstrated problem solving experience using judgement when managing risk.
- Strong inter-personal and coordination skills, in particular the ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders
- Experience working across a range of FOI request matters (including personal and non-personal requests).
- Experience and/or interest in FOI law and processing.

This role offers opportunities to grow and develop your FOI skills and experience, with the opportunity to work on all aspects of FOI processing and reviews.

The structure of the team also provides leadership opportunities, including opportunities to mentor more junior staff.

**What you will do**:
As an FOI Officer within the Information Law team, you will be responsible for all aspects of processing FOI requests and associated reviews. Working alongside legal and non-legal FOI practitioners, you will be responsible for:

- The provision of high quality, timely and practical FOI services to the department, on a range of routine and complex requests.
- Maintaining a positive outlook whilst providing innovative solutions to FOI issues.
- Providing tailored advice and guidance to decision-makers in relation to requests and internal review decisions.
- General case file and timeframe management.

In additional to the above, at the APS 5 Level, you will be responsible for:

- Drafting and communicating practical and technically sound FOI advice to decision makers for second counselling by a Senior FOI officer, that reflects a strong understanding of the department’s operations and strategic environment.
- Exercising critical thinking and sound judgement on FOI issues.
- Building productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- With broad direction, independently managing and handling routine FOI requests, complying with statutory timeframes and other obligations established by the FOI re