EL1 - Assistant Director, Freedom of Information, Integrity

The opportunity we have available

The EL1 Assistant Director, Freedom of Information (FOI) leads a team of FOI Case Officers. They will set priorities, monitor caseloads and manage resources to ensure compliance with statutory timeframes. The role requires strategic leadership, strong stakeholder engagement skills and a drive for continuous improvement.

Timely and effective processing of FOI requests is fundamental to maintaining transparency and accountability in government. By providing the public with access to government-held information, FOI processes promote openness in decision-making, enable scrutiny of public administration, and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.

What you will do

In this role, you will be responsible for: 

• managing, leading and mentoring a team of FOI Case Officers, maintaining a positive working environment 
• setting priorities and monitoring case-loads, managing resources effectively to ensure compliance with statutory timeframes 
• analysing and distilling complex information, anticipating issues and contributing to ongoing issues management 
• providing high quality technical FOI advice to authorised Decision Makers and Action Officers 
• manage Internal Reviews and Information Commissioner Reviews, where required to do so 
• assisting and supporting portfolio ministers and agencies with the processing of FOI requests, where required to do so 
• developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including portfolio Ministers’ offices, portfolio agencies and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner 
• contributing to the ongoing improvement of the FOI Processing Framework within the Department 
• entering and maintaining data into Departmental systems to ensure accurate record keeping

Inherent requirements for the role

Essential (inherent) requirements are core components, such as knowledge, skills and abilities, required to perform the duties of the role. They may also include essential qualifications/certificates e.g. law degree. Where a role is advertised as requiring an inherent requirement or mandatory qualification, candidates who do not hold that requirement or qualification cannot be found suitable for the role.

The inherent requirements for this role include:

• The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the EL1 Work level standards.
• Experience in processing complex Freedom of Information requests.
• Strategic program management skills including an ability to develop, interpret and apply policies and processes.
• Effective people management and leadership skills.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner.
• Achieves results.
• Communicates with influence.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an EL1 you will be expected to:

• Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
• Champion cultural capability within teams and challenges culturally unsafe practices.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including: 

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for and how to apply, please refer to the position description available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Our work connects and enriches every Australian community, underpins our economy and society, and empowers our regions. We provide policy advice and deliver programs, projects and services in the infrastructure, transport, communications, sport and arts sectors, supporting our regions, cities and territories. Our staff have the opportunity to work on high profile and diverse national projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of all Australians. We seek people with a wide range of skills and competencies. Whether you write policy, deliver programs, projects or corporate services, or have experience in research, data or technology, we look for employees who are innovative, respectful and professional. We are an inclusive employer and promote, value and support diversity among our employees with the aim of ensuring our workforce reflects, respects and benefits from diverse communities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people. We are committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.