The Role
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide - Taskforce (RCDVS-TF) was established July 21. The RCDVS-TF is not involved directly in the conduct of the Royal Commission, but supports Defence’s contribution to the Royal Commission.
Defence’s responsibilities extend beyond the RCDVS-TF and includes wellbeing support to personnel directly or indirectly affected by the Royal Commission. Defence People Group (DPG) and Joint Health Command (JHC) retain technical responsibility for Defence-wide people and health policy and related service delivery, in consultation with the relevant Groups and Services.
The RCDVS-TF is resourced to support a range of activities including, but not limited to: the coordination and support of Defence Representatives and Official Defence Witnesses, responding to requests from the Royal Commission, internal Defence and ministerial updates, and engagement with other Commonwealth agencies through a number of interdepartmental committees.
The RCDVS-TF consists of ADF, APS and contracted staff to complete direct responsibility tasks, in addition to coordinating Defence effects through Liaison Officers. Defence members are engaged as required.
More information can be found at Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
About our Team
The RCDVS-TF structure is made up of Eight Directorates;
1. Wellbeing and Operations;
2. General Counsel – RCDVS-TF;
3. Information Management;
4. Policy;
5. Communication and Ministerial engagement;
6. Business Management;
7. Plans, Lessons and Assurance; and
8. Strategic Program Management Office.
1. Wellbeing and Operations. Develops and coordinates wellbeing supports, information and advice about wellbeing support available to the Defence community impacted by the Royal Commission. This includes Defence Representatives, Official Defence Witnesses, ADF - current full-time, reserve or former members and their families, APS personnel, contractors, as well as RCDVS-TF personnel. It also coordinates the RCDVS-TF’s support to Defence Representatives and Official Defence Witnesses in the lead up to, at and following hearings.
2. General Counsel – RCDVS-TF. Provides strategic legal advice and representation as well as legal support including reviewing responses to subpoenas and requests for information, clearing draft Defence position statements, submissions, preparing witnesses and requests for legal assistance. This support is delivered through a combination of Defence Legal staff and contracted legal and support staff. General Counsel provide legal support to identified Official Defence Witnesses. Practice Management provides a dedicated administrative function, supporting the day to day operations of General Counsel by delivering effective administration, coordination and proactive stakeholder engagement to assist with information flow and timely responses to the Royal Commission.
3. Information Management. Ensures Defence meets requirements for ‘Notices to Give’, and ‘Notice to Produce’ for the Royal Commission. They are also responsible for the coordination and tracking of broader informal information requests from the Royal Commission to Defence and assisting in coordination of information related to freedom of information, request for information and subpoenas. This information includes analytical responses based on internal and external data sources to support the taskforce and broader Defence stakeholders. The Directorate also reports on the status of Defence responses to the Royal Commission. An additional responsibility within this Directorate is the maintenance and interrogation of the RCDVS-TF Consolidated Register (CR).
4. Policy. Supports the provision of information to the Royal Commission through working with Groups, Services and Directorates within the RCDVS-TF to consolidate Defence’s response to ‘Notices to Give’. The Directorate briefs RCDVS-TF executive on key issues that may arise throughout the course of the Royal Commission hearings based on submissions or witnesses appearing and consideration of Royal Commission recommendations for its final report.
5. Communication and Ministerial engagement. Supports Defence’s wider community in two key ways. The Communication line of effort enables extensive strategic communication efforts in order to respond to media enquiries, draft strategic communication products and provide advice and support to communication efforts across Defence. The Ministerial line of effort leads on all ministerial and parliamentary products on Defence support to the Royal Commission and provides advice and input to facilitate clear and consistent messaging on matters raised through Royal Commission proceedings (such as suicide prevention policies, mental health services for Defence personnel and individual cases of suicide).
6. Business Management. Responsible for the processes underpinning the operation of the RCDVS-TF. These include human resources, financial management, and contract management. The Directorate also provides secretariat and coordination support to the RCDVS-TF Executive.
7. Plans, Lessons and Assurance. Responsible for undertaking planning to ensure the RCDVS-TF remains fit for purpose and Defence has options beyond the delivery of the Royal Commission final report. The Taskforce continues to capture observations, identify lessons and apply a continual improvement approach, in addition to reporting on performance metrics and the effectiveness of the RCDVS-TF. The Directorate also manages security, risk and business continuity for the RCDVS-TF and conducts assurance activities to ensure compliance with legislation and Defence policy.
8. Strategic Program Management Office (sPMO). Manages the Interim Implementation and Reform Program and is responsible for whole-of program monitoring, reporting, risk management and benefits realisation. It will drive the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission Interim Report along with outstanding matters from historic reviews and inquiries.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidates will possess strong interpersonal and team-building skills and be intrinsically motivated to achieve outstanding results.
You will demonstrate highly developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills, have excellent attention to detail and the ability to collaborate across Government and industry to achieve high quality outcomes.
Our ideal candidates will also bring the following attributes and skills to the roles:
9. Be positive and motivated;
10. Work effectively both independently and as part of multi-disciplinary teams;
11. Possess an outcome-focused mindset with an ability to achieve results; and
12. Be resilient cope with pressure, within a sensitive information environment.