[[title]]
Title:
[[title]]
Classification(s):
[[newsingclass]]
Employment Type:
[[filter2]], [[filter3]]
Salary:
[[filter4]] - [[filter5]] per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
Business Division:
[[division]]
Branch / Section:
[[department]], [[location]]
Location:
[[mfield2]]
Security Clearance:
[[securitylevel]]
Job Reference No:
[[id]]
Contact Officer:
Ian Mckendrick on or
Closing Date:
11.59pm AEST, Sunday 28 September 2025
The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women's progression into senior leadership.
The opportunity we have available
The Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Branch has responsibility for the external territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean to the west of the Australian mainland, including the delivery of state-type services, (power, emergency management, public housing, land and health services); preparing policy advice; maintaining the legislative and governance framework; negotiating and administering Service Delivery Arrangements (SDA) with the WA Government and major contracts with the private sector (for airports, ports and air services); and managing a capital works program to maintain, replace and upgrade infrastructure. The Branch has over 200 staff located in Canberra, Perth, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The IOT Administration (IOTA) Team sits within the Indian Ocean Territories Branch and is based on Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, this team is responsible for the services we deliver across these communities including:
* Health services
* Power services
* Staff and public housing
* Emergency management
* Community assets — including land, infrastructure, sporting facilities and religious buildings
* Motor vehicle registrations, licensing and court support
* Funding agreements including with the local Shires, tourism associations and local training provider Contracted services including Pharmacy, School Bus, Recreation Centre and emergency broadcasting.
This role is being offered as an opportunity for employment as an APS employee under the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts Enterprise Agreement 2024 or as a Commonwealth non-APS employee under the Indian Ocean Territories (Administration) Agreement 2018.
The successful candidate will be provided with remote locality assistance under the relevant agreement including provisions such as:
* Relocation assistance
* Disturbance Allowance
* District allowance
* Additional annual leave
* Annual airfares assistance
In addition, further conditions, such as access to Commonwealth subsidised housing and a vehicle may be available and negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
What will you do?
As the Deputy Director of IOTA, the successful candidate will support the Director in providing leadership in the delivery of key services to the Indian Ocean Territories communities, with particular responsibility for cross-cutting issues such as procurement, business services, risk management, HR, finance, IT, property management and associated support services and systems.
Your role will include:
* Working collaboratively with the Director of IOTA and business unit team leaders, as well as other Branch Directors and Corporate areas of the Department to deliver key services for IOT communities;
* Co-ordinating key support services within and across IOTA, including enhancement of procurement, records management and IT functions;
* Preparing and co-ordinating high-level briefs, plans, policies, reviews and submissions;
* Management of supplier arrangements
* Representing IOTA and acting as Director when required.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking to recruit a high performing individual who is adaptable, resilient, community focused and responsive. To be successful in this role, you will be required to relocate to Christmas Island and be a part of the Indian Ocean Territories community.
You will also demonstrate the following:
* The ability to lead a team by establishing a culture of achievement to improve the quality of services and infrastructure for the community;
* Highly effective stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills including the ability to collaborate in a high-pressure environment and build consensus amongst a broad range of stakeholders;
* The ability to adapt to change including managing competing and changing priorities, demonstrating resilience and dealing with ambiguity;
* The ability to apply your business acumen including the ability to scan your environment, manage risk effectively and think strategically about the longer-term opportunities;
* The ability to deliver complex programs and implement major projects;
* Experience in managing resources and deliverables in accordance with agreed budgets and plans in an operational environment; and
* The ability to communicate with influence including clearly articulating messages.
RecruitAbility minimum requirements
Minimum requirements for this role include:
* Strategic and program management skills including an ability to develop, interpret and apply policies and processes.
* Effective people management and leadership skills.
* Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner
RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.
Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:
* Opt into the scheme
* Declare they have a disability, and
* Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.
What else can we offer?
We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:
* Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
* Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
* Improve your leadership skills, through the department's Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
* Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month's accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.
Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.
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 applicant 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 Baseline Level. 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.
Timeline and assessment
A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.
Applications open: 8 September 2025
Applications close: 28 September 2025
Application shortlisting: 7 October 2025
Further assessments: 21 October 2025
Selection report finalised: 4 November 2025
Offers and announcements: 11 November 2025
The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.
Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.
How to apply
Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEST, Sunday 28 September 2025
In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than two pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than two pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the 'Who are we looking for' section.
Your application should be received through the department's online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.
If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on or via email at to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email
Work with us. Apply now