Director, Oversight and Evaluation, Defence and Veterans' Service Commission

• Ongoing & Non-ongoing for a period of up to 24 months
• Executive Level 2 ($147,052 - $175,016) plus 15.4% superannuation
• Canberra, ACT
• Location: Canberra, ACT
• Application Closing Date: Thursday 23 October 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 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, and 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 capabilities 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.

We are looking to recruit high performing and dedicated staff from 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, Oversight and Evaluation will assist the Commissioner to drive system-wide oversight and accountability to effect systemic change in the Defence and veteran ecosystem for the prevention of suicide and suicidality. Located in the Oversight and Engagement branch of the DVSC, and reporting to the Assistant Commissioner of Oversight and Engagement, the Director will lead the team responsible for monitoring, inquiring and reporting on the progress, outcomes and impact of the Australian Government's implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Director will also assist in identifying and advising on systemic factors in the administration of policies, programs, systems and practices in relation to the prevention of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF members.

The Director, Oversight and Evaluation will work collegiately as part of a small agency to develop accurate, well-researched, evidence-based advice for the Commissioner. They will engage with a broad range of Commonwealth agencies and external stakeholders to gather information and insights on the state of the Defence and veteran ecosystem, including with people with lived experience. The Director will produce high quality, evidence-based reports for publication and tabling in the Australian Parliament.

Our ideal candidate
We are looking for a skilled and motivated critical thinker and leader with:

• Demonstrated ability to manage a team responsible for providing independent, accurate, and evidence-based advice to the Commissioner
• Strong understanding of, or the ability to develop an understanding of, processes relating to the oversight, outcomes monitoring and evaluation of public policy and program implementation
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and abilities to objectively seek, clarify, analyse, and evaluate information from a range of sources
• Strong ability to understand and support the Commissioner's statutory functions of monitoring, inquiring and reporting on systemic reforms to prevent suicide and suicidality, in accordance with the DVSC's enabling legislation (Part VIIIE of the Defence Act 1903)
• Strong ability to personally uphold the DVSC's independence, impartiality, and professionalism at all times
• Strong ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive the objectives of the DVSC
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional, well-researched, and evidence-based reports for publication
• Experience in leading a high-performing team - fostering capability, professional development and a culture of collaboration, innovation, and wellbeing.

Qualifications / Experience
The following is required:

• Demonstrated experience in one or more capability areas relevant to the role (such as, policy and program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, law, performance auditing, benefits realisation, program logic, communication and reporting, etc.).

The Following Will Be Highly Regarded

• Relevant tertiary qualifications
• Membership with a relevant professional body.

Flexible Work
At PM&C 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.

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 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
If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you Submit an online application through the Apply link by
11:30pm AEDT on Thursday 23 October.