About The Department of Home AffairsThe Department of Home Affairs contributes to Australia's prosperity, security and unity through the management and delivery of visa and citizenship programs, immigration compliance measures, settlement services and citizenship, multicultural and immigration policy.
The Department also manages Australia's borders, facilitates legitimate trade and travel, and is responsible for coordination and strategic policy leadership in relation to cyber and critical infrastructure resilience and security, counter-terrorism and the protection of our sovereignty.
About the RoleFirst Assistant Secretary positions in the Department's Immigration Groups are responsible for leading the planning and delivery of Australia's immigration and citizenship policies and programs.
They include responsibility for teams making decisions on visa and citizenship applications, maintaining program integrity, protecting non-citizens from exploitation, and ensuring compliance with Australia's migration laws.
These roles also ensure immigration and citizenship policies, programs and operations align with broader departmental and government objectives.
These positions require the ability to understand migration and citizenship laws, regulations, and procedures.
First Assistant Secretaries work closely with various stakeholders – including Commonwealth and State/Territory government agencies, industry partners, and community organisations – and have roles in leading engagement in various interagency, international and industry groups to address complex issues.
Core CapabilitiesAs a First Assistant Secretary, you will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and experience, good judgement, and the ability to manage complex programs with far-reaching national implications.
In addition you will possess the capabilities as outlined below:
Superior ability to navigate high-level political environments, including extensive experience in ministerial, parliamentary and cross-portfolio communications.Proven track record in building and leveraging extensive networks across government, industry, and international stakeholders to manage expectations and set, prioritise and achieve strategic outcomes.Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale organisational change, build high-performing teams, and effectively manage the resolution of strategic risks and the realisation of opportunities.Exceptional ability to provide leadership and direction to large teams in high-pressure situations, delivering impactful outcomes with whole-of-government significance.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international partners, and community groups.Outstanding capacity to shape and promote a positive organisational culture aligned with APS Values and broader public service ethos.Unwavering commitment to upholding and promoting the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.The key duties of the position include:
Lead a division in the Immigration Groups to achieve key program outcomes within budgetary and time constraints.Shape and implement policies that align with whole-of-government objectives.Provide authoritative advice to Government on emerging threats and innovative solutions.Navigate highly complex, high profile and sensitive issues, serving as the escalation point for operational and strategic matters related to immigration and citizenship programs.Represent the Department at high level fora.Spearhead transformative change by championing cutting-edge initiatives and fostering a culture of agility, collaboration and continuous improvement.Develop and implement forward-looking workforce strategies to build organisational capability, foster innovation, and cultivate future APS leaders.Actively shape organisational culture to promote integrity and ethical decision-making across all business areas and inclusion, respect, and high performance across the Department and broader APS.In addition you will hold responsibilities for:
Promote APS and departmental values and behaviours.Lead change and engage staff through clear communications and proactive stakeholder engagement.Translate organisational vision and strategy into operational reality.Demonstrate responsible stewardship through effective governance, reporting and resource management.Build and sustain a high performance culture, including building staff capability and nurturing talent.Regularly review and communicate accountabilities across the division.Contribute to and communicate the strategic direction of the Department.EligibilityThe successful candidate must:
To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.Hold or be able to obtain and maintain at a minimum a Negative Vetting Level 2 security clearance.Home Affairs Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Onboarding Check.ABF Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).NotesThe Department currently offers flexible work opportunities for many roles.
Remote work may also be considered.
Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.
This advertisement will be used to fill a current vacancy and to create a merit list for future vacancies arising over the next 18 months.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy.
Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.
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