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

Location: Canberra, ACTApplication Closing Date: Wednesday 29 October at 11:30pm AEDTClassification Executive Level 1 ($126,342 - $143,993) 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, 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 Assistant Director, Oversight and Evaluation, will work as part of a small team to manage activities relating to the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the implementation and outcomes of the Australian Government's response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Assistant Director will also assist the DVSC's work 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. Located in the Oversight and Engagement branch of the DVSC, and reporting to the Director of Oversight and Engagement, the Assistant Director will manage the development and implementation of robust oversight frameworks that support the Commissioner's statutory responsibilities, develop evidence-based advice and recommendations to improve the prevention of suicide and suicidality across the Defence and veteran ecosystem, prepare high quality reports and publications, including DVSC reports to be tabled in the Australian Parliament, collaborate within the DVSC to prepare well-researched information, and supervise staff.Our ideal candidate We are looking for a skilled and motivated Assistant Director with:High-level judgement, critical thinking and problem-solving ability, who can objectively seek, clarify, analyse and evaluate information from a range of sources.Advanced analytical, policy and/or research skills, with demonstrated experience, or the ability to acquire, skills in monitoring and evaluation methodologies or performance measurement.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).Well developed stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to engage effectively across government and with non-government stakeholders.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare, and lead the development of, complex briefings and reports for publication.Strong ability to personally uphold the DVSC's independence, impartiality, and professionalism at all times.Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to manage, develop and motivate staff, and to work effectively with other DVSC capability areas.Qualifications / Experience The following is required: Demonstrated experience or tertiary qualifications 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 qualificationsMembership with a relevant professional body.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 RequiredNegative Vetting Level 1 (Secret) How to apply Submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEDT on Wednesday, 29 October As part of your application you will need to provide: Your resume (maximum three pages)A 'one page pitch (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.