As an Assistant Director (EL1) in the Relationship Management team within ATEC's First Nations and Relationship Management Branch, you will work closely with the Director to build and strengthen trusted relationships with Government Relations and operational staff across a portfolio of universities, enabling ATEC's strategic engagement with the sector.
These newly established roles advance the Australian Universities Accord vision to embed First Nations perspectives, aspirations, knowledge systems and leadership into the way ATEC engages with universities and develops policy advice. Through this work, the roles are central to improving outcomes for First Nations learners, and ATEC's contribution to Closing the Gap—particularly through strengthened shared decision making, system accountability, and more culturally informed policy, funding and governance settings.
In doing so, the roles help shape a higher education system that is equitable, responsive and accountable to the diverse needs of students, communities and universities.
You will proactively support strategic engagement with higher education stakeholders as new and existing policy, funding and governance arrangements are introduced. This includes supporting the mission-based compact processes with universities, and ensuring ATEC draws on diverse, institution-specific evidence and perspectives to inform decision-making.
You will also play a key role in shaping ATEC's culture and capability by supporting your team, building insights across the organisation, and modelling culturally respectful, partnership-driven approaches to engagement. You will take a positive and flexible approach to engaging with external stakeholders, gathering information from multiple sources, consider diverse viewpoints, and support your Director in sector outreach, providing impartial advice and appropriately escalating sensitivities when required.
Key priorities across the ATEC include:
* Implementing higher education funding reforms, including Managed Growth and Needs-based Funding, to improve student access and success.
* Administering the Commonwealth Grant Scheme supporting Australia's higher education providers.
* Allocating Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) to universities and providers to expand student participation.
* Supporting priority cohorts, including First Nations, regional, remote and low SES students.
* Supporting the development of pricing approach for higher education funding.
* Designing and implementing new mission-based compacts through extensive stakeholder engagement.
* Leading legislative design to establish the ATEC and other higher education reforms, including drafting and coordinating consultation with government and sector stakeholders.
* Enhancing higher education quality and standards through strategic policy advice and regulatory alignment.
* Driving a joined-up tertiary system.
The key duties of the position include:
In this role, your responsibilities will include the following:
* Supporting your Director in managing strategic relationships with your allocated portfolio of universities, fostering trust, transparency and shared problem solving.
* Facilitating and leading discussions with university stakeholders on policy, funding, workforce and system reforms.
* Supporting the mission based compact process including negotiation and implementation, ensuring clarity, continuity and responsiveness across the compact cycle through culturally respectful, on campus engagement that reflects partnership based practice.
* Coordinating briefings and providing background information on your portfolio of universities to support senior executive and Commissioner engagement, ensuring these materials reflect the needs and experiences of equity student cohorts.
* Brokering complex multi-line area interactions, ensuring provider issues are navigated efficiently and with a whole of ATEC posture.
* Taking responsibility for progressing work arising from sector outreach, stakeholder meetings and provider insight activities.
* Mentoring and guiding APS staff to strengthen ATEC's capability in culturally responsive engagement and sector literacy.
Eligibility
Employment at the Department of Education is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
* Citizenship: Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.
* Security Clearance: This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.
Getting to know the Department of Education
The Department of Education contributes to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning. A strong early childhood education system built around early learning and child care gives children the best start in life—supporting them to build social and behavioural skills to help prepare them to transition to school. For parents and carers, affordable child care enables them to participate in the workforce, pursue further education or other opportunities to contribute to their community — bolstering the social wellbeing and economic prosperity of the nation. As children continue their journey through school, access to quality education creates the foundation for a bright future – it opens a world of possibilities and equips children and young people with the skills, knowledge, and career advice to prepare them for further work or study to fulfil their dreams. An affordable, and accessible higher education sector allows Australians and international students to pursue their passion in life or reskill for the jobs of the future. A strong higher education and research sector in step with national priority areas provides people with an opportunity to choose a career path that addresses skill shortages or the challenges of the future including, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health, and education. Through education and learning, we change lives, create opportunities, and support Australia's economic success and social wellbeing.