About the Australian Electoral Commission. Our purpose. Background. Organisation

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2 Thank you for considering a career with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). This candidate s kit has been designed to provide you with information about the AEC and the advertised role. If having read the documentation and the job description you have any questions or if anything is unclear please call Jeff Kelly on (02) About the Australian Electoral Commission Our purpose The AEC is funded to deliver one key outcome: Maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services and targeted education and public awareness programs. Background The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority responsible for administering the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act). The AEC must conduct federal elections and referendums, maintain the Commonwealth electoral roll and administer Part XX of the Electoral Act, which deals with political funding and disclosure. The AEC also provides a range of electoral information and education programs The AEC conducts other elections on a fee-for-service basis and for registered industrial organisations, in accordance with the Fair Work Act If requested by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the AEC may provide advice to overseas electoral bodies on operational matters related to running elections and referendums. The AEC has a three tier structure: a national office in Canberra, state and territory offices located in each capital city and divisional offices responsible for electoral administration for each electoral division. Further information on the functions of the AEC is located at Organisation The Australian Electoral Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Non-judicial member and the Electoral Commissioner. The Electoral Commissioner is responsible for the day to day running of the AEC and has reporting to him the Deputy Electoral Commissioner, the First Assistant Commissioner Electoral Operations and Reform and the First Assistant Commissioner Capability as well as an Australian Electoral Officer (State Manager) for each state and territory. Page 1

3 What we do Our priority is the delivery of consistently reliable, high-integrity electoral events. We implement the Parliament s directives on electoral policy as embodied in the legislation. The AEC s legislative deliverables are managed through four programs: ELECTORAL ROLL MANAGEMENT Provide Australian voters with access to their entitlement to vote through maintaining an accurate electoral roll. ELECTIONS Access to an impartial and independent electoral system. EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION Informed Australians through the provision of communication, education and public awareness activities. ELECTORAL ROLL MANAGEMENT Conduct of industrial and commercial elections in accordance with applicable legislation. Agency directions Over the next four years the AEC will focus its efforts on five complementary directions to successfully deliver the next federal election and position the AEC for the future. The agency directions are to: Deliver a changed model for Elections and Referenda; Govern the organisation for quality and assurance; Professionalise the workforce, including the temporary election workforce; Re-establish the reputation of the AEC; and Build an agile and responsive organisation. Page 2

4 For whom we do it Our services are used by a wide range of customers including electors, political parties, Parliament, Government and organisations requiring electoral services. What we value As an independent statutory body, the AEC is committed to the APS values of being impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful and ethical. They are core components of a positive culture, stewardship, high performance, and leadership. The ability of the AEC to perform its core function, that is, to deliver electoral events impartially and independently, depends on all staff acting in accordance with these values on a personal level. Given the AEC s public profile, all staff must action and model these values in all dealings with the public and each other. Eligibility Political neutrality is required. Any person who is, or is seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered Applicants must be Australian citizens and must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance to the level of Negative Vetting 1, or hold a current security clearance of appropriate level. The Opportunity The AEC is seeking to appoint an Assistant Commissioner (SES band 1) to lead the development and delivery of the AEC s national electoral information and education programs. This role will also have responsibility for internal communication services and the agency media unit. If you are interested in playing a vital role in one of Australia s most important public sector administrations, this could be the role for you. The Person The AEC is looking for candidates with strong leadership and management experience in complex and sensitive operational environments. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, and a record of high achievement as a leader and manager. Superior representational and communication skills are required, as is the ability to build strong and enduring relationships with a range of stakeholders. Page 3

5 The successful candidate will bring proven ability in the contemporary management of people, finance and information, including experience in change management. The role requires you to work with senior executives to achieve outcomes, influence process and build capability, this also applies to the people within your branch. The Challenge The Education and Communication Branch requires a leader with the full range of skills and experience expected of the organisations senior education and communications officer. As well as providing information about elections, the AEC s education programs support young Australians to develop a deep and lasting appreciation of the important role that voting plays in a democracy. The Indigenous Education Participation Program (IEPP) conducts a range of community outreach activities, including some education sessions. The AEC also undertakes initiatives to inform culturally and linguistically diverse communities about elections, enrolment and voting. The challenge for the AEC is to find new and creative ways of reaching out to these groups through innovative education content and delivery as well as through using all the new digital communication opportunities available in order to assist them meet their obligations under the Commonwealth Electoral Act. Key Responsibilities The responsibilities of the successful candidate will include: 1. Lead a Branch in the development and delivery of national programs and communications services; 2. Align the Branch functions with broader AEC strategic direction and operate within the AEC governance framework; 3. In relation to Branch functional responsibilities, provide high quality advice and guidance to the AEC Executive Leadership Team; 4. Participate in and leads the Branch in the reform measures and the election ready agenda of the AEC; 5. Build and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders; and 6. Model the Australian Public Service (APS) Values and promote effective performance management, equality of employment opportunity, participative management and a safe and healthy working environment. Page 4

6 Selection Criteria Note: The AEC uses the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) as defined by the Australian Public Service Commission, for selection of staff at this level. Further information relating to the leadership capabilities for this position can be found at 1. Shapes Strategic Thinking Relevant capabilities: Inspires a sense of purpose and direction; Focuses strategically; Harnesses information and recognises opportunities; and Shows judgement, intelligence and common sense. 2. Achieves results Relevant capabilities: Builds organisational capability and responsiveness; Marshals professional expertise; Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty; and Ensures closure and delivers on intended results. 3. Cultivates productive working relationships Relevant capabilities: Nurtures internal and external relationships; Facilitates co-operation and partnerships; Values individual differences and diversity; and Guides, mentors and develops people. Page 5

7 4. Exemplifies personal drive and integrity Relevant capabilities: Demonstrates Public Service professionalism and probity; Engages with risk and shows personal courage; Commits to action; Displays resilience; and Demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal development. 5. Communicates with Influence Relevant capabilities: Communicates clearly; Listens, understands and adapts to different audiences; and Negotiates persuasively. 6. Knowledge of or ability to quickly gain knowledge of Australian electoral law and practice. 7. Political neutrality is required. The person must not be active, or seen to be active, in political or electoral affairs. Page 6

8 Politically Sensitive Position Candidates will be required to provide assurances regarding potential conflicts of interest and their personal financial affairs. The AEC observes strict neutrality in all electoral processes and Australian Electoral Officers are, and must be seen to be, similarly neutral. Sensitivity to the needs of a diverse client base is essential. A demonstrated capacity for impartiality and a personal reputation for maintaining the highest ethical standards are particularly important in this position. Security Requirement This is a position of trust. The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance to the level of negative vet 1, or hold a current security clearance of appropriate level. Why your application is important In the AEC, selection is made in accordance with the merit principle, having regard to your current knowledge, skills, and experience against the selection criteria, the duties associated with the position, and your potential for future development. Your application is the first crucial step in the selection process, so it is important the best possible impression is made. You must be able to sufficiently demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the selection criteria to warrant short listing for further assessment. How to apply Applications, preferably in Word format must be in the one document, or one PDF document and quoting Reference Number 15/276 in the subject of the . Applications must include: A completed Job Application Cover Sheet (the cover sheet template is at Attachment A); Your claims against the selection criteria (maximum 350 words per criteria); Your resume including the names and contact details of at least two referees (no more than 3 pages in total); and Contact details for two referees. Page 7

9 Any questions? If you wish to discuss any aspect of the process or the position, please contact Jeff Kelly on or by at: Where to lodge your application Applications should be ed to: We acknowledge all applications do not assume your application has been received until you receive an acknowledgement by return . If you have not received an acknowledgement within two working days of submitting your application, please call Jeff Kelly on Approved: 03 September, 2015 Page 8

10 Application Cover Sheet Applicants are required to complete this form and submit it with their application. Applications that do not contain this cover sheet may be excluded from consideration in the selection process. Application for: Assistant Commissioner Position No: 1007 Classification: Senior Executive Service Band 1 State: ACT Location: Canberra Personal Details Title: Click here to enter text. Address:Click here to enter text. Family Name:Click here to enter text. Given Name/s: Click here to enter text. Suburb/ City: Click here to enter text. State: Choose an item. Postcode: Click here to enter text. Business Hours Telephone: Click here to enter text. Mobile: Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. May we contact you at work? YES NO Please provide details of 2 referees I First noticed this job advertised in: Gazette (APS Jobs) AEC website Referral Name: Click here to enter text. Phone: Click here to enter text. Name: Click here to enter text. Phone: Click here to enter text. Current Employer: Click here to enter text. Current Position: Click here to enter text. AGS Number (if current APS employee) Click here to enter text. Ongoing Non-ongoing Substantive/Nominal APS Classification Choose an item. Actual/Acting APS Classification: Choose an item. Are you an Australian citizen? YES NO I am in the process of obtaining citizenship. If you are not an Australian citizen please contact Jeff Kelly on before proceeding Have you accepted a redundancy benefit, severance payment or similar benefit for cessation of employment from an APS Agency within the last 12 months? (This includes any payment as a result of shortening of a retention period or payments made to an SES employee under section 37 of the Public Service Act 1999) If yes Agency name Click here to enter text. Date of benefit Click here to enter a date. In your previous employment, have you ever been investigated for misconduct? NO YES Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Details Completion of EEO information is optional and may be used to assist panels when arranging interviews Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? YES NO Are you from a non-english speaking background? YES NO Are you a person with a disability? YES NO Do you require any assistance or equipment at interview YES NO Page 9

11 If you have a disability, please provide details of how we may provide assistance if required at interview : Click here to enter text. Page 10