Agency Purpose
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.
The AEC's values and commitments
The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC's focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility and professionalism.
The Teams
International Engagement Section
The International Engagement (IE) section provides a broad range of services to support the AEC's international partnerships and programs. IE works in partnership with electoral management bodies (EMBs) in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting them to deliver elections and building their technical capability. The AEC is committed to assisting EMBs in our region as part of our broader remit to defend democracy.
Defending Democracy Unit
The Defending Democracy Unit (DDU) shapes and support the AEC's capability to detect, understand and respond to current and emerging threats to electoral integrity. These threats include physical and cyber threats, foreign interference and misinformation and disinformation about the electoral process. The DDU also has a role in supporting a whole-of-government approach when it comes to electoral integrity more broadly. This includes leading AEC input and subject matter expertise to inform policy development and other responses across government.
The Oppotunites
International Engagement Section
As an Assistant Director, you will contribute to the leadership and delivery of priority outcomes for the section, including managing staff, providing strategic advice, and supporting the achievement of operational and organisational objectives.
As Assistant Director in the International Engagement section you will contribute to the management and delivery of the section's work program, including election and referendum assistance to foreign countries or organisations, support on democratic reform agendas in developing democracies, program management, and managing international deployments. On occasion, international travel, work outside of standard business hours, or additional duties at the time of an electoral event, will be a required component of the role.
Defending Democracy Unit
As an Assistant Director, you will contribute to the leadership and delivery of priority outcomes for the section, including managing staff, providing strategic advice, and supporting the achievement of operational and organisational objectives.
As Assistant Director, you will manage the day to day matters of the section, leading key streams of work which may include the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce Secretariat, engagement with online platforms and providing strategic advice on electoral integrity matters to the AEC Executive and across government.
International Engagement Section
* Proven ability to engage or manage stakeholder relationships across a diverse international network, engage and communicate with influence, and negotiate program outcomes.
* Proven ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment and/or experience working in international development.
* Knowledge and experience in successfully setting priorities and delivering quality results on time and on budget in a project / program context.
* Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for the achievement of own and team outcomes, monitoring progress and following through to deliver quality outcomes.
* Ability to make and communicate decisions using good judgement, expertise, and knowledge, governed by legislation, regulations, or best practice principles.
* Demonstrated ability to supervise staff while developing capabilities and embedding professionalism.
Desirable
* Relevant tertiary qualifications or experience working in international relations, international development, public administration or similar.
* Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, Australian electoral law and practice.
* Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, the Commonwealth Resource Framework.
Defending Democracy Unit
* Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including preparing high-quality briefs, advice and documentation for senior executives on sensitive matters.
* The ability to quickly develop knowledge of the Australian and international security environment and understand implications in an electoral context.
* Proven research and analytical abilities, maintaining a logical and rational approach under pressure and in the face of competing priorities.
* Proven ability to engage or manage stakeholder relationships across government and the private sector, engage and communicate with influence, and negotiate outcomes.
* Ability to make and communicate decisions using good judgement, expertise, and knowledge, governed by legislation, regulations, or best practice principles.
* Demonstrated ability to supervise staff while developing capabilities and embedding professionalism.
Desirable
* Experience in national security, including working with the National Intelligence Community
* Experience engaging with media and technology platforms.
* Experience in the provision of secretariat services
Eligibility
* AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
* Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
* Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
* Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.