Senior Advisor Governance

Senior Advisor Governance (Targeted)

Essential Requirement: This is a Targeted role and evidence of Aboriginality is required.

Clerk Grade: 09/10
Salary Range: $129,464 - $142,665 + super
Employment Type: Full-Time, Temporary opportunity – until 30 June 2028.
Location: McKell, hybrid working arrangements – two days per week on site.

The Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 (PR4) Program, within NSW Department of Customer Service (DCS), is currently looking for a Data Access Policy Manager to join their team

Benefits

• Temporary clerk grade 9/10 opportunity – until 30 June 2028.
• Genuinely hybrid working arrangements – two days per week on site.
• State of the art offices.
• Wellbeing programs and resources available.
• Excellent career development and learning development opportunities.

About Us

Between the Department of Customer Service (DCS) will work in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs (AANSW) and the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) to deliver the Closing the Gap (CtG) Priority Reform 4 (PR4) implementation actions and Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance (ADS&G) reform development work program (PR4 Program). DCS will work with all NSW government agencies on key implementation actions on behalf of the partnership, to improve shared access to and shared decision-making regarding NSW Government-held data for Aboriginal communities.

Primary Purpose of the Role

The Data Access Policy Advisor role will support strategic privacy and policy reform efforts to improve shared access to government-held data for Aboriginal communities, with a strong emphasis on exploring opportunities for NSW Government agencies to maximise data sharing within current legislative parameters. The role will contribute to whole-of-government guidance relating to privacy and other relevant legislation from a policy perspective, to enable safe, transparent, and accountable data sharing practices that enable Priority Reform 4 priorities. The role is pivotal in ensuring legislative compliance while exploring innovative legal and policy pathways to reduce barriers to data access, enhance data relevance for Aboriginal communities and progress towards responding to the principles of Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance in NSW.

The Data Access Policy Advisor will contribute to the delivery of the NSW PR4 in ways that align with Aboriginal communities' needs and priorities to achieve NSW Government commitments of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and undertake research, analysis, and review of complex policy and legislative reforms related to data sharing, privacy and Aboriginal governance.
• Interpret existing legislation and privacy frameworks to develop evidence-based guidance that support improved data access and transparency for Aboriginal communities.
• Provide expert and timely policy advice to senior leaders, general councils and stakeholders to inform strategic directions and reform priorities.
• Collaborate with teams across multiple agencies to ensure policy alignment, legal consistency, and sector-wide coordination.
• Contribute to PR4 initiatives using best practice methodologies and ensuring timely delivery to expected standards.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation strategies to assess policy effectiveness, resolve legal and policy barriers to data access and identify program risks.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefs, and correspondence to inform government decision-making and respond to agency and ministerial requests.
• Maintain awareness of legislative obligations, privacy policy developments, and emerging state, national and international trends to inform innovative and compliant approaches to shared data access for Aboriginal communities.

About You

You bring a deep understanding of privacy legislation, legal reform processes, and data governance. You are passionate about enabling ethical, innovative and transparent data sharing, particularly in partnership with Aboriginal communities. You have:

• Experience in legal or policy reform, ideally in data sharing, privacy, or digital strategy contexts.
• Knowledge of privacy legislation and legal compliance frameworks.
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills to identify risks, develop options, and deliver reform outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate legal and policy complexity into actionable strategies and advice for both government and community partners.
• Commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in public sector reform, in particular to progress the operationalisation of Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance principles in NSW.

Essential Requirement: This is a Targeted role and evidence of Aboriginality is required.  

Aboriginal as defined by the Aboriginal Lands Rights Act 1983 (NSW) is a person who: 

• identifies as a person of Aboriginal descent 
• presents documentation identifying their family's Aboriginal descent 
• is accepted by their local Aboriginal community as a person of Aboriginal descent. 

For questions around the Confirmation of Aboriginality requirements or if you would like to know more about the support for Aboriginal employees, please contact 

We value diverse experiences. Even if you're not sure you meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply.

If you want to be part of this forward thinking, innovative team that thrives in challenging the status quo to support Aboriginal communities have improved access to data, we would love to hear from you

What we need from you:

To start your journey towards becoming our Data Access Policy Manager please click on the link below and attach your resume (max 4 pages) and cover letter (max 2 pages).

In your cover letter please share your motivation for applying for this position and your relevant skills.

Please include a response to the targeted questions below. Please ensure that your response is not more than 600 words.

Targeted Questions:

1. Describe a time when you needed to develop guidance for an area where there was no precedent or limited supporting evidence. How did you approach the problem and what was the outcome?
2. Describe a situation where you needed to reconcile conflicting stakeholder perspectives to arrive at a policy decision. What was your approach and what would you do differently next time?

For any enquiries about the role please contact Gemma Tierney, Principal Policy & Reform Manager, Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 via 

Salary Grade 09/10, with the base salary for this role starting
at $129,464 base plus superannuation

Click Here to access the Role Description. For enquiries relating to recruitment please
contact Rodrigo Sandoval via

Visit the
Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing
practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities
listed in the role description.

Closing Date: Friday, November 21st, 2025 at 10:00am

Careers at Department of Customer Service
A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives
you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that
benefits people across NSW.  We are
focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and
regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

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strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while
the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with
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