Assistant Director

Benefits Policy Branch provides policy advice to support the financial wellbeing and self-sufficiency of veterans and their families through access to income support, pensions, compensation and other entitlements and support services. The branch works across DVA and the whole of government to develop and cost new policy ideas, refine existing policy settings and to support broader work with our stakeholders in the Department and wider defence, veteran and veteran family community. 

Within Benefits Policy Branch, Liability and Service Eligibility Policy (L&SE) Section is responsible for developing policy relating to the Commonwealth’s liability for a veteran’s injury, and the type of benefits that a veteran may be eligible for depending on the type of service they rendered. 

Working with the L&SE section provides opportunities to liaise with various business areas within DVA, the Department of Defence, the Repatriation Medical Authority and other key stakeholders. This position will contribute to a range of duties, including the provision of high-level expert advice and support to the Director and Assistant Secretary on service eligibility and liability policy issues.

The applicant will prepare and deliver high quality and timely policy advice for the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Commissioners, Senior Executives and service delivery teams primarily on policy issues related to the work of the section. They will lead the development, design and implementation of new policy proposals and measures announced by Government, working across DVA and with partner agencies to ensure policy intent is delivered.  Assistant Directors in Benefits Policy Branch work to challenge pre-existing policies to improve the services available to veterans and their families. These roles are instrumental in driving innovation, strategic thinking and positive change across DVA.

Successful applicants will be passionate about improving services for veterans and their families and will need to have outstanding oral and written communication skills, the ability to support productive working relationships, and build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Successful applicants will need to work as a team player delivering high-quality work to short timeframes, particularly during peak periods.  

• Managing team members
• Lead and contribute to strategic planning and project management relating to L&SE activities
• Guide the effective delivery of DVA programs through the provision of appropriate policy advice and materials
• Provide accurate, quality and timely advice to delegates of the Commissions, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel and other internal and external stakeholders on a range of liability and service eligibility issues
• Produce a range of high-level artefacts, including internal and external communication documents, Ministerial correspondence and training and briefing materials for a diverse range of audiences
• Support elements of DVA’s responses to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
• Work closely across the Department and with stakeholders to deliver on elements of the DVA legislative reform agenda and manage ongoing implementation and enhancements to these reforms
• Gather and analyse data and research to formulate, develop and review technical advice in specific areas of policy
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to seek feedback on, or contributions to, policy development projects
• Plan, prepare and implement new Government policies, such as Budget measures, including development of New Policy Proposals
• Provide briefing support for the Secretary, Senior Executive and Commissioners on relevant issues.
• Assistant Directors may also need to contribute to the work undertaken by the other areas of the department as needs arise.  

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). 
• Any successful candidate external to DVA offered employment will be required to undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
• Any successful candidate will also be required to obtain and/or maintain, a baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance as a minimum. 

This recruitment process may be used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

Please note interviews may not be conducted, and assessment may be based on application and referee report only.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives. DVA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve and encourages applications from:

• Veterans and former Australian Defence Force members, whose skills and experience are highly valued across the APS 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People with disability
• People who identify as LGBTQIA+
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

We are a Veteran Employer of Choice! This means you benefit from a workplace actively supporting veterans and families of veterans – one that understands and values military experience. You’re joining an organisation publicly recognised for its commitment to fostering veteran-friendly employment pathways and long-term career success.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to fulfil the nation’s duty to support our serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. We do this through programs of care, compensation, commemoration, income and Defence support services. Our aim is to enhance self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community recognition for those we support. DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, Federal and State Government agencies and the veteran community. DVA’s vision is to honour veterans, and empower them and their families to continue life after service, within a society that understands and values their military service and their ongoing contribution to the community.