TEQSA - Job Application Template

Why work at TEQSA?

TEQSA welcomes people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. TEQSA encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, people with disabilities, people that identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We offer our people a range of benefits that include flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities and free access to an EAP which extends to immediate family members.

About you

• Are you a capable professional who is passionate about organisational risk, performance reporting, and governance?
• Do you want to work in a challenging, dynamic, and rewarding environment that is mission-focused?
• Are you passionate about contributing to the excellence of Australian higher education?

About the position

The Senior Risk and Assurance Officer works within a team environment reporting directly to the Assistant Director-Corporate Risk & Quality Assurance and is responsible for maintaining and facilitating the implementation and continuous improvement of TEQSA's governance, enterprise risk, and protective security frameworks. The Senior Risk and Assurance Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of processes that relate to performance reporting and monitoring, protective security requirements, enterprise risk management, and internal quality assurance in line with the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy, the Commonwealth Performance Framework, the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act.

Duties

As Senior Risk and Assurance Officer, reporting into the Assistant Director-Corporate Risk & Quality Assurance, you will be responsible and accountable for:

1. Supporting the agency's performance and governance processes through -
2. Assisting in the implementation of the Policy Framework including administration of TEQBis (TEQSA's business information system) and providing guidance to document/process owners in the review of policies and procedures
3. Assisting the Assistant Director, CRQA in the implementation and improvement of the Agency Planning Procedure and facilitating/monitoring the development of annual group business plans and reports on performance against those plans
4. Implementation and continuous improvement of the Performance Reporting Procedure which includes: coordinating the timely provision and the subsequent verification of performance measures data, analysis and evidentiary artefacts for inclusion in the portfolio budget statements (expected performance results) and the annual report (annual performance statements); preparing briefs, talking points, reports and other written submissions for submission to TEQSA management, the Audit and Risk Committee, the Accountable Authority, the Office of the Minister for Education, and Senate Estimates as required
5. Collaboration with various groups/teams across the agency to continuously improve tools and processes for monitoring and reporting business-as-usual performance measures and special/strategic projects deliverables
6. Management of the Planning and Performance SharePoint sites - ensuring records are current and complete.
7. Development and delivery of training that focuses performance reporting/monitoring, group business planning, and risk management
8. Supporting the agency's enterprise risk management and protective security processes which includes -
9. Supporting the AD CRQA and the Chief Risk Officer in the ongoing review of the Enterprise Risk register and the Security Risk Register (SRR with the risk owners and in line with the PSPF requirements, Commonwealth Risk Management Policy, and the agency's Risk Management Framework)
10. Assisting the AD, CRQA in the implementation and improvement of the Business Continuity Plan including organising the annual business continuity exercises
11. Maintaining the Enterprise-wide Assurance Map which includes conducting validation activities to confirm appropriateness of controls and the level of assurance they provide in mitigating risks, and subsequently working with teams across the agency to strengthen controls and improve the level of assurance they provide
12. Maintaining the currency and completeness of the Agency Security Plan and monitoring the implementation of the processes identified therein and the subordinate policies/procedures/processes in collaboration/consultation with the relevant subject matter experts/ process owners.
13. Recommending, monitoring, and where appropriate implementing strategies to ensure TEQSA's ongoing compliance with the PSPF requirements
14. Supporting the delivery of reports on TEQSA's compliance with the Protective Security Policy Framework, including working collaboratively across TEQSA to support a clear understanding of requirements and responses to those requirements.
15. Other duties as required.

Our ideal candidate

We are looking for a high-performing team member who is passionate about contributing to the excellence of Australian higher education. Our ideal candidate will have:

• Have excellent stakeholder engagement and verbal communication skills - confidently presents messages in a clear, concise and articulate manner, possesses cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong and effective relationships to achieve an agreed outcome with various stakeholders in the conduct of day-to-day core tasks and responsibilities
• Have high level written communication skills, including the ability to prepare / review high quality, concise advice, reports, strategies, policies, and briefs for a range of audiences
• Be a lateral and critical thinker who can: interpret and apply relevant policies, procedures and legislative frameworks and make risk-based decisions using good judgement, expertise and knowledge under limited instruction guided by the application of regulations, best practice principles or the Agency's policies and procedures
• Have the capability to perform research and analysis activities in support of new policy or to enable the completion of tasks and projects that need to be delivered within a specified timeframe and agreed parameters
• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined, and take personal responsibility for meeting objectives and progressing work to see that goals are achieved within specified timeframes and quality benchmarks
• Have the ability to establish clear plans and timeframes for project/task implementation and respond in a positive and flexible manner to change and uncertainty
• Have a customer service focus, result-oriented approach, process improvement and growth mindset, ability to model desired organisational values to the team and work collaboratively as an effective team member

Qualifications and experience

The following qualifications or experience will be highly regarded:

• Formal qualifications and/or relevant experience in performance reporting, risk management, supporting the implementation and continuous improvement of organisational governance, and quality assurance frameworks including: developing, monitoring, analysing and reporting on agency-wide performance measures; organising and facilitating risk reviews; undertaking validation activities to confirm efficacy of risk controls, actions arising from internal audits; participating in process reviews/improvements; developing and revising policies/procedures high-level briefs and papers for senior management and committees
• Strong analytical skills; proficiency in MS Office applications and business intelligence/reporting tools such as Power BI
• Relevant practical experience in the Australian Public Service (APS) and a demonstrated understanding of the PSPF, Commonwealth Performance Framework, the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy, and the PGPA Act will be advantageous.

Eligibility

The successful applicant must:

• be an Australian citizen.
• complete a National Police Check satisfactorily.
• be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) clearance to Baseline status, supported by TEQSA.

Failure to satisfy any of the above conditions may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment or termination of employment.

How to apply

Please refer to TEQSA's career page for more details about the role in the Candidate Information Pack (CIP) to assist you in applying for the role.

Your application should include:

1. A current resume (maximum two pages)
2. A two-page cover letter (pitch) (maximum 1000 words) detailing how your skills and experience address the 'our ideal candidate' section (i.e., what makes you the best candidate for the position).

Applications close 11.45pm on Sunday, 12 October 2025.

Apply today We look forward to receiving your application.