First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services

Who we are looking for?

 

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is hiring for the position of First Assistant Secretary (SES Band 2) – Corporate Services Division.

DPS supports Australia’s Parliament through innovative, unified and client-focused services. The Department delivers a broad range of services and experience that enable engagement with the parliamentary process and is a custodian for Australian Parliament House which is a significant destination for citizens and international visitors alike.

The Corporate Services Division provides a diverse range of services which include corporate, administrative and strategic functions across the Department. These services include traditional corporate functions such as risk, governance, legal, human resources. The role also has accountability for parliamentary engagement including visitor experience, catering and events management.

As part of the Department’s executive leadership team and managing a division of over 150 employees, you will contribute to the overall strategic planning, operations and accountability of the Department.

 

Your key responsibilities will include:

 

• Providing leadership to the Division whilst working with the other divisions to deliver the Department’s priorities and projects.

 

• Providing strategic and technical advice to the Secretary, the Executive Leadership Team and other internal and external stakeholders.

 

• As a member of the DPS Executive Committee, contributing to the overall strategic, planning, operational capacity and accountability of DPS.

 

• Ensuring that DPS complies with its responsibilities under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 , the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and a range of other legislative obligations.

 

• Developing an environment that ensures sound planning, effective risk management, continuous improvement and a strong service delivery focus.

 

To be successful in this challenging and critical role within the Department, you will have proven experience in leading a complex and diverse operation and driving change within a client-centred service environment. Experience managing complex issues, a strong focus of accountability and the ability to apply judgement to deal with ambiguity and change are critical to this role.

 

You will also have superior leadership capabilities with a calm and proactive attitude, as well as outstanding leadership, interpersonal and relationship building skills. A working knowledge of government and parliament is also an advantage.
 

Eligibility and/or Job Specific Requirements

 

 

Essential

• Demonstrated strong judgement and experience in managing complex, diverse and politically sensitive issues

• Experience in leading the delivery of a broad range of effective corporate and related services

• A strong focus on accountability, a good understanding of Commonwealth human resources and governance frameworks.

 

Desirable

• Strong business acumen to drive strategy of a food and beverage business (approximately $10M turnover)

• Working knowledge of government and parliamentary democracy.

 

 

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 (Top Secret) security clearance.

Applications are welcome from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds and people with a disability.

 

How to apply

 

Please upload a two page statement of claims (approximately 1,000 words) outlining:

• why you are interested in the role

 

• what you can offer DPS in context of the job specific requirements

 

• your relevant skills career history and achievements, and

 

• your leadership attributes.

In addressing your statement of claims you should also take into account the selection criteria.

 

Closing Date

 

Applications must be submitted by 11:30pm AEDT, Wednesday 5 April 2023.

 

Salary

 

A highly attractive salary, which will be negotiated with the successful candidate, is on offer. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle Canberra has to offer as well as having the opportunity of working in a dynamic organisation that is a custodian for one of Australia’s most important and iconic buildings.

 

Duty Statement

 

Classification:                  Senior Executive Service Band 2
Employment Type:           Ongoing  
Position No.:                    131362
Local Title:                       SES Band 2 – First Assistant Secretary, Corporate Services (FASCS)
Immediate supervisor:     Deputy Secretary
Security assessment:      Negative Vetting 2 (Top Secret)
________________________________________________________________

 

Key responsibilities in accordance with agreed standards for SES Band 2 include, but not limited to:

 

The Corporate Services Division’s vision is to provide high quality, customer focussed, responsive, integrated and accountable services to the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) and the Parliament.

The FASCS is responsible for strategically shaping, driving and delivering high quality and effective corporate services to the Department as well as parliamentary engagement including visitor, catering and event services that support the Parliament. The FASCS fosters, across the Department, a culture that strives for professional customer focused service, increased capability, forward planning, effective delivery, legislative compliance and accountability.

 

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary the FASCS oversees three branches which are the Corporate Operations Branch, Commercial Operations Branch and the Parliamentary Engagement Branch.

 

Duties include:

 

•    Providing leadership to the Division whilst working with the other divisions to deliver the Department’s priorities and projects.

 

•    Providing strategic and technical advice to the Secretary, the executive leadership team and other internal and external stakeholders.

 

•    As a member of the DPS Executive Committee, contributing to the overall strategic, planning, operational capacity and accountability of DPS.

 

•    Ensuring that DPS complies with its responsibilities under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and a range of other legislative obligations.

 

•    Developing an environment that ensures sound planning, effective risk management, continuous improvement and a strong service delivery focus.

 

•    Maximise the capacity and capability of people in the Division to meet the current and future needs to deliver on its objectives.

 

•    Represent the organisation in public forums and inter-departmental meetings.

 

•    As a member of the DPS SES team, appear with the Secretary at Senate Estimates hearings.
 

Selection Criteria

 

 

Experience and Qualifications
 
 

Essential

 

• Demonstrated strong judgment and experience in managing complex, diverse and politically sensitive issues

 

• Experience in leading the delivery of a broad range of effective corporate and related services

 

• A strong focus on accountability, a good understanding of Commonwealth human resources and governance frameworks.

 

Desirable

 

•    Strong business acumen to drive strategy of a substantial food and beverage business (approximately $10M turnover)

 

•    A working knowledge of the role of the Commonwealth Parliament and its operation.

 

 

Personal Attributes

 

•    Willingness and ability to work both at hands-on and strategic levels, demonstrating judgement, intelligence and common-sense as well as calmness under pressure

 

•    Achieves results through the building of organisational capability; driving change; and ensuring quality delivery on time and on budget

 

•    Cultivates and maintains productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

 

•    Outstanding communication skills with the ability to deliver orally and in writing to a broad range of stakeholders

 

•    Well-developed analytical skills.

 

 

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

 

Contact Person

 

 

Working at Department of Parliamentary Services

 

DPS recognises and values the contribution that our diverse workforce makes and in return offers great benefits.  These include a competitive salary, onsite free parking and gym facilities, a wide range of professional development opportunities so you can take your career further, and all of this in a friendly and supportive environment.  

 

If you think this role sounds like you and you’d like to work in a friendly, high quality team then DPS welcomes your application.

 

Conditions of Employment

 

The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 provides for mobility between the Australian Public Service and the Parliamentary Service.  Employment opportunities in the Parliamentary Service may be subject to a range of conditions of engagement including:

a)  Australian citizenship
b)  criminal history check and security clearances
c)  possession of mandatory qualifications for certain jobs
d)  health clearance, and
e)  probation period of 6 months

Australian Citizenship
Section 22 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires that employees of the Parliamentary Service are generally required to be Australian citizens. If you are not an Australian citizen, you may still be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to termination of engagement.

Redundancy
If you have accepted a redundancy benefit, within the previous twelve months, from a Commonwealth employer (including the Parliamentary Service and the Australian Public Service), you cannot be employed by DPS until your exclusion period (the number of weeks for which you received a redundancy benefit) has expired. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact HR Services on telephone (02) 6277 5200.