Assistant Director, Executive Level 1, National

**Job no**: 513237

**Employment type**: Ongoing

**Location**: Canberra

**Categories**: Policy, Executive Level 1, Other Management

**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 National Measurement Institute**:
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are recognised internationally and we work to enhance and maintain these standards.

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. Our values and behaviours centre on being, Adaptable, Innovative, Accountable, Strategic, Inclusive and Influential.

**About the branch**:
NMI operates across multiple locations, including Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Strategy and Operations (S&O) Branch is the division’s enabling and coordination point, driving a suite of whole-of-NMI activities including a Strategic Review that is exploring NMI’s longer-term workforce, property, capital equipment and ICT needs. The branch also leads NMI’s capabilities in:

- governance, stakeholder engagement and communications
- ministerial and government relations
- strategy, policy and risk
- sustainability and governance
- workforce capability
- change management
- international relations, and
- work health and safety.

The branch is made up of friendly, inclusive and dedicated people who are committed to making a difference. We come from variety of backgrounds, including project management, legal and scientific. Although the vast majority of NMI staff are highly technical, including scientists, engineers, and technical regulators, a STEM background is NOT necessary. If you have a STEM background, we’ll find ways to use it, but we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. In fact, we know we do our best work when a variety of perspectives are brought to the table.

We have multiple positions available at the EL1 level across the branch and are seeking experienced EL1 officers, or high performing APS6s, to contribute to busy teams within the S&O branch.

There are policy and strategy roles within our Sustainable Funding and Policy Section, and a governance role within our Policy, Communications and Governance Section.

The roles do not require technical or scientific expertise. The successful applicants should have a demonstrated ability to quickly develop relevant knowledge.

Experience in the following areas is desirable:

- writing departmental and ministerial briefings and correspondence
- project management and strategy development
- developing new policy proposals and cabinet submissions
- procurement and contract management.

For the governance role, the following is desirable:

- Familiarity with budget and financial information, including the ability to use Microsoft Excel to manage the tracking of recruitment and budget scenarios across the division, and to support executive decisions on resourcing and recruitment.
- Experience or demonstrated relevant ability to manage secretariat support for SES meetings.
- The ability to work across teams to bring together and review briefs and meeting papers supporting SES decision making.

The roles involve engagement with relevant teams across the department for example, policy, coordination, procurement and finance. Previous experience building networks and engaging with diverse stakeholder groups while working with colleagues to bring together information to support the functions of a division will be well regarded.

NMI has a dispersed workforce. The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across Australia will be an essential part of the role.

**What you will do**:
As a member of the S&O Branch, key duties may include:

- Support the branch and division with timely and well-informed advice based on objective and evidence-based analysis. This is likely to include the preparation of briefings, correspondence and responses to departmental coordination requests.
- Develop clear plans and timeframes for workstream implementation, such as the preparation a