EL2 - Director, Post and International Branch

The opportunity we have available

Communications and connectivity are vital to Australia's economy and society. The Communications Services and Consumer (CSC) Division is at the centre of developing policy and programs to ensure all Australians have access to reliable communications and postal services.

CSC Division staff provide advice to government on expansion of digital connectivity under various communications programs, including the Australian Government's regional communications programs, telecommunications resilience policy, Australia Post and promoting Australia's communications interests on the international stage

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Australia's engagement with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nations body for digital technologies, on telecommunications standardisation and development issues (spectrum-related issues are led by a separate Division). Global interest in the ITU has been growing and you will be at the forefront of challenging multilateral negotiations to ensure the work of the ITU, and its governance, is aligned with Australia's values and national interests. You will also be responsible for driving greater Australian engagement with the Pacific on telecommunications priorities, and leading Australia's engagement in regional forums – the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and APEC's Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TELWG).

What will you do?

Global interest in the ITU has been growing. Non-likeminded countries are continuing to push for the responsibilities of the ITU to further expand, with the risk that global standards determined at the ITU are not aligned with Australia's values and national interests. Many of these issues, such as Artificial Intelligence and cyber security, fall within the portfolio responsibilities of partner agencies. You will work with partner agencies and likeminded countries to identify key risks to Australia's values and national interests and work across countries to build support for Australia's positions.

The ITU, APT and APEC's TELWG provide key forums for the exchange of experiences and knowledge between countries. You will work across the Communications and Media Group, portfolio agencies and others, to ensure Australia is an active and valued participant in these forums.

Telecommunications are vital to the economic and social advancement of Pacific Island nations, and these nations are seeking assistance from Australia, the ITU and APT, and other multilateral agencies to better utilise telecommunications. You will support the Pacific to identify specific telecommunications development priorities, and to identify how Australia and other partners can best support the achievement of these priorities. This includes managing targeted Australian funded projects through the ITU, APT and APEC-TEL.

Further priorities include identifying opportunities to incrementally improve the internal governance of the ITU, and strengthening the engagement of Australian industry, academia and civil society in the work of ITU, APT and APEC TELWG.

International travel is an essential part of the role, but you will not be constantly travelling. International representation responsibilities are equitably distributed across the team, other divisions, the SES and partner agencies, based on the motto 'right person, right place, right time'.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 2 Work level standards.

We are looking for an experienced candidate to demonstrate capability in the following areas:

• Engaging strategically, determining key longer-term priorities and potential negotiating trade-offs
• Ability to work with significant autonomy, and to lead and mentor a large team with significant responsibilities delegated to team members
• Experience representing Australia internationally
• Expertise, or the ability to quickly gain expertise, in the telecommunications sector, including international telecommunications forums, primarily within the Universal Postal Union (UPU) or the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
• Being a natural collaborator, able to leverage technical expertise from across the Australian Public Service and key international allies
• Taking responsibility for the achievement of team outcomes, monitor team progress and follow through to delivery

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship
  : candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment
  : The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department's preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance
  : The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at NV1 (baseline minimum on commencement). You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check
  : The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check
  : The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at
11.59pm AEST, Thursday 25 September 2025.