Director, Inquiries, Defence and Veterans' Service Commission

Location: Canberra, ACT

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 12 November at 11:30pm AEDT

Classification

Executive Level 2 ($147,052 - $175,016)

Employment Type

Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for a period of up to 24 months)

This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the PM&C delegate.

Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for a maximum period of two (2) years. If the initial contract is for less than 2 years, it may be extended or renewed once, up to the 2 year limit.

A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.

Flexible Work

At the DVSC we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of 'how can we make this work?' and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.

About the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission

The Defence and Veterans' Service Commission (DVSC) provides independent oversight and evidence-based advice to government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members.

The Australian Government established the DVSC as a new Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity (NCE) on 29 September 2025 in response to the key recommendation of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Key functions of the DVSC include:

• monitoring, inquiring and reporting on issues relevant to suicide and suicidality for serving and ex-serving ADF members
• monitoring, inquiring and reporting on the implementation of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission
• improving supports for serving and ex-serving ADF members
• working with coroners to understand issues contributing to Defence and veteran deaths by suicide
• promoting an understanding of suicide risks and wellbeing for Defence members and veterans, including through engaging with people with lived experience.

Working at the DVSC

As a new agency, the DVSC is now recruiting staff and will continue to do so over the coming year. You have an opportunity to join us now where your expertise can help influence and shape our strategy in support of the Commissioner's independent oversight of wide-ranging reforms across the Defence and veteran ecosystem now and into the future.

We are looking to recruit high performing and dedicated staff with a range of capabilities, who demonstrate integrity, independence and compassion. A key focus of the DVSC's work is the prevention of suicide and suicidality. While the DVSC has a proactive wellbeing program, applicants are encouraged to consider their personal circumstances when applying for this role. Applicants can familiarise themselves with the findings and recommendations of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide for further information.

The DVSC is an independent agency. We are currently physically located in Canberra, within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under a shared service arrangement. While we transition our employment framework, the successful candidate may be on-boarded via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and subsequently transitioned to the DVSC.

Employment with the DVSC is offered under the Public Service (Terms and Conditions of Employment) (Defence and Veterans' Service Commission) Determination 2025.

About the Role

The Director of Inquiries will lead a small team to support the Commissioner's statutory inquiry functions into matters relating to systemic reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing for serving and ex-serving ADF members, and undertake the Counsel assisting role. The DVSC will conduct inquiries, including special inquiries, that may be initiated by the Commissioner or requested by the Minister. The process of conducting an inquiry may involve information-gathering, public and/or private hearings, and the preparation of inquiry reports and recommendations. As Counsel assisting, the Director may develop investigation strategies, present evidence, examine witnesses, instigate the use of coercive powers, coordinate parts of an inquiry, and make submissions.

Located in the Inquiries and Legal branch of the DVSC and reporting to the Assistant Commissioner Inquiries and Legal, the Director will lead and support the Commissioner's inquiry functions in line with agency procedures, including supporting the operation of public and private hearings, using information-gathering powers to collect and analyse evidence and data, engaging with stakeholders and witnesses, and preparing high quality documents including papers, legal notices, voluntary and compulsory information requests, correspondence, reports, and briefs.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Director of Inquiries who has substantial contemporary, relevant knowledge and experience in a relevant area of law with:

• Experience in Counsel Assisting roles, or in conducting inquiries and investigations
• Ability to quickly learn and apply the DVSC's legislation (currently Part VIIIE of the Defence Act 1903), and other legislation relevant to inquiries function
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead a high performing inquiry or investigative team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Well-developed planning and organisational skills for building capability and meeting deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to persuade, think creatively and deliver a highly professional and impartial inquiry function
• High standards of professional and personal integrity
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and to conduct inquiries in a professional, trauma-informed and respectful manner across diverse stakeholder groups, including with people with lived experience of suicide and suicidality.

Qualifications / Experience

The following is required:

• Must have a Bachelor of Laws degree (or equivalent) from a recognised Australian tertiary education provider
• Admission as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia
• Hold, or be able to obtain, an unrestricted practicing certificate.

The following will be highly regarded:

• Experience in the use of coercive powers
• An investigatory or advocacy legal background.

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At the DVSC to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen by the completion of the recruitment process, except under exceptional circumstances.
• The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
• The successful candidate will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS or has not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.
• Due to the nature of work the DVSC undertakes, some roles may require staff to obtain and maintain a WWVP registration card, as per the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011.

Security Clearance Required

Negative Vetting Level 1 (Secret)

How to apply

Submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEDT on Wednesday 12 November.

As part of your application you will need to provide:

• Your resume (maximum three pages)
• A 'statement of claims (no more than 750 words)' telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level.

You are encouraged to refer to the Candidate Pack and the relevant classification level of the PM&C Performance Model to assist you in drafting your one page pitch.

You may also refer to the APSC resource Cracking the Code for further guidance and assistance on applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service.

Contact Officer

Recruitment DVSC on

Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.