Assistant Director (EL1), Policy and Statutory Functions, Regulatory Intelligence and Strategy

About the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Working with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will put you at the forefront of data protection and access to information regulation. As an independent statutory agency, the OAIC’s work is of national significance and plays an important role in shaping Australia’s information handling landscape across the economy - from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications. Our mission is to uphold and promote Australia’s privacy and freedom of information laws.

We are an agency within the Attorney-General’s Department portfolio with responsibility for:

• privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Digital ID Act 2024
• freedom of information functions, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
• privacy and confidentiality functions in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA).

Leadership roles in the OAIC

Leadership within the OAIC work as a united team, collaborating and supporting each other and staff in achieving outcomes for the Australian community, and ensuring the agency’s success.

You will demonstrate leadership that aligns with the values of the OAIC, which include:

• Modelling and championing the OAIC’s Guiding Principles (‘4 Pillars’): being proactive, proportionate, purpose-driven and people-focused
• Possessing integrity and demonstrating alignment with the APS Values: Impartial, Committed to service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Stewardship
• Empowering staff to make decisions and supporting a shift to a more harm-focused regulatory approach for the OAIC that considers risk in a proportionate manner and is not risk averse
• Supporting OAIC’s Commissioners to set the strategic direction of the OAIC, communicating that direction internally and externally, and leading your team to deliver on it.

About the Branch

The Regulatory Intelligence and Strategy Branch informs the OAIC’s regulatory decision making and strategy, influences policy and legislative processes, and guides the regulated community to meet its privacy and FOI obligations. The Branch:

• provides intelligence and data to inform regulatory decision making by the OAIC’s Commissioners
• develops guidance and publications to educate businesses, agencies, and the community on information rights
• communicates the OAIC’s work and its impact on people and their lives, including by working with the media, business and government stakeholders
• engages with legislative and policy processes to ensure an information rights and regulatory perspective is considered
• delivers various specialist regulatory roles conferred on the OAIC (e.g., Digital ID, Consumer Data Right, My Health Record, and credit reporting regulation).

The team

The OAIC’s Policy and Statutory Functions team is responsible for the OAIC’s engagement with legislative and policy processes, discharge of statutory responsibilities, engagement with key stakeholders, and coordination of OAIC’s activities within various funded programs of work. The team’s areas of responsibilities include:

• Leading OAIC contributions to law reform, parliamentary bill scrutiny, and other consultative processes
• Developing submissions, reports and papers for commissioners on information access, privacy, and information rights policy and issues
• Coordination of OAIC’s specialist regulatory roles (Digital ID, CDR, consumer credit code, My Health Record)
• Liaison and engagement with external dispute resolution (EDR) schemes accredited under the Privacy Act
• Development and maintenance of codes and other statutory instruments issued by the Information Commissioner under the Privacy Act and related legislation
• Cooperation with international counterparts and coordination with international institutions (e.g., International Association of Information Commissioners, Global Privacy Assembly)
• Engagement with cross-government coordination mechanisms on cyber security
• Conducting research, developing positions, and engaging with stakeholders on significant and emerging information rights topics (e.g., emerging technologies)

The team is led by two Director roles (one of which is currently filled via a job share arrangement) and eleven APS and EL1 staff. The team operates via a matrix structure with staff having responsibility for one or more of the focus areas listed above.

Key relationships

You will be expected to develop and maintain effective and productive working relationships with a broad range of external stakeholders including portfolio agencies, government, academia, private sector and the Minister’s Office. You will represent the OAIC (for activities both within and outside your division) at high levels within and outside government.

You will be required to build and maintain strong working relationships across the OAIC, particularly with the Commissioners and SES colleagues.

You will provide leadership, guidance and mentoring of staff within your branch to foster their professional development and career progression.

About The Role

Assistant Directors (EL1s) report directly to the Policy and Statutory Functions Co-Directors and work closely with the General Manager of RIS, team members and other teams across the branch.

Duties may include:

• Driving the successful delivery of any allocated workstreams, from conception, planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, product delivery and review and continuous improvement
• Delivering expert strategic policy and regulatory advice drawing on research and analysis,  leveraging expertise of key stakeholders and undertaking strategic consultation
• Building strong, effective relationships with internal and with external stakeholders, including government agencies, international counterparts, businesses and the community
• Engaging in agile and innovative ways of working to deliver on the Commissioner’s key priorities, as well as discharging BAU
• Influencing and advancing the strategic direction of the team and the Branch, and building a shared sense of purpose for staff
• Leading a team, providing supervision, guidance and support to both direct and indirect reports through a matrix team structure
• Fostering a positive work environment and a collaborative and innovative team culture for the RIS Branch
• Modelling flexibility, adaptability and resilience in a dynamic work environment
• Other duties as required.

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are seeking applications from candidates who have:

• Experience in, or demonstrated understanding of, working with complex legislation in a regulatory environment
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988 or the ability to quickly obtain
• A proven record of delivery
• Confident and clear communication styles
• An ability to drive a positive, engaging and collaborative team culture – including when working remotely
• Experience in leading, guiding and mentoring a team
• An understanding of, and motivation to protect, the information rights of Australians.

These duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and Office policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the Office may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

Security requirements

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Security clearance.

Position location

The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance.  Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD (and is the preferred location), we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia.

The OAIC values face-to-face interaction and fostering connection between our people and with our stakeholders. The OAIC’s hybrid work model expects in-office attendance when the type of work or task is better suited to being completed from an office, for example staff inductions and onboarding, planning days, relationship building activities and project or collaborative work.

Remuneration and benefits

EL1 salary: $122,146 – $130,659 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation

The OAIC is committed to enabling its people to perform at their best and offers the following benefits:

• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of privacy and data protection, paving the way for future career opportunities.
• Access to ongoing professional development, with a capability framework to guide skill enhancement.
• Genuine flexibility to help achieve a balance between work and home life.
• Additional paid leave over the Christmas to New Year period as well as access to other leave (e.g. for study or moving).
• Contribution to your wellbeing through subsidies for eye health, flu vaccinations and a wellbeing allowance.

The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people living with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.

Eligibility

• Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens.
• There are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.
• For the duration of your employment with the OAIC you will be required to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 and meet required background, identification and character checks.
• Note: All duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and OAIC policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

How to Apply

1. Please complete the application form found at the end of this job pack as part of your submission.
2. Please provide a statement of claim of up to 2 A4 pages, addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your statement should include the use of practical and professional examples as relevant to the role and the job specific capabilities, skills and experience outlined above.
3. Your application form, CV and statement of claim should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.  Please ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number found on the front page of this pack.