Assistant Director - Quality Assurance Office

The Quality Assurance Office (QAO) assures the quality, consistency, and transferability of the highest-level security clearances across the Australian Government and supports the development of insider threat capabilities. We run a comprehensive audit and compliance program and actively engage with Australian Government agencies to provide high-quality insider threat advice and best-practice guidance. The branch is small and full of passionate and professional people who work hard to help protect our national security interests.

We are seeking Assistant Directors for two capability streams.

Assistant Director Assurance and Compliance Advice

• drive assurance initiatives to safeguard the integrity of Australia's highest-level security clearance
• evaluate personnel security assessment outcomes and processes to inform capability uplift and continuous improvement
• deliver expert advice to promote consistent, high-quality and transferable security clearances.

Assistant Director Insider Threat Capability

• develop leading-edge insider threat capability frameworks and guidance, drawing on international public and private sector best practice
• provide expert advice and support to agencies to strengthen insider threat prevention, detection and response capabilities
• lead strategic engagement and capability uplift initiatives.
• These are diverse roles that combine people leadership, policy development, stakeholder engagement and program delivery.

As an Assistant Director in either of the capability streams, you will also:

• manage and develop a high-performing team, setting priorities and administering the delivery of complex work programs
• provide authoritative advice on assurance and insider threat issues to internal and external stakeholders
• lead assurance and capability development activities, including case and program reviews and performance uplift initiatives
• develop, review and implement policies, frameworks, guidance and reporting that support QAO's legislated functions
• identify emerging risks, issues and opportunities and provide strategic advice and recommendations to strengthen assurance and capability outcomes
• develop and oversee reporting and business intelligence products to inform senior executive decision-making
• engage stakeholders across the NIC and broader Australian Government to support collaboration and continuous improvement
• represent QAO at inter-agency meetings, working groups and communities of practice
• help ensure branch capabilities remain contemporary, fit-for-purpose and aligned with evolving government priorities and policy settings.

Key attributes

The successful candidates will need to demonstrate:

• highly developed conceptual, analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, exercise sound judgement and provide practical, evidence-based advice and recommendations.
• excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively with government agencies and other stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes.
• proven leadership capability, including the ability to lead and develop a small team, foster collaboration and create a positive, high-performing culture.
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality written materials for senior executives and committees, brief large groups when required and tailor branch and organisational messages for different audiences.
• a proven ability to quickly develop a working understanding of complex policies and frameworks and apply them to develop guidance, reach conclusions on compliance and provide advice.
• sound organisational skills, with the ability to lead multiple priorities, manage competing demands and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Desirable but not essential:

• experience working with or within the National Intelligence Community.
• demonstrable experience of three months or more in one or more of the following areas: compliance management, governance, performance auditing, oversight or investigations; security vetting, security policy development and application, personnel security or insider threat/risk management; or managing a quality assurance function.
• experience in one or more of the following areas: compliance management, governance, performance auditing or oversight, security policy development, security vetting or security clearance management practices.
• personnel or protective security training or qualifications (for example, Certificate IV in Government Security).

You must be an Australian citizen.

• If you do not have a birth certificate issued by an Australian State or Territory Government, you must submit a copy of your Australian Citizenship Certificate with your job application. 

You must have a checkable background.

• We must be able to practically verify, from independent and reliable sources, [cumulative] periods of 12 months or more spent outside Australia. 

You must be willing to undergo an organisational pre-employment assessment.

• To be eligible for employment with ONI, preferred applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment screening assessment.

You must be willing to undergo a comprehensive security clearance suitability assessment.

• ‘Willing to undergo’ means fully cooperating in the assessment process, including the timely provision of information and documentary evidence.

ONI is advertising these opportunities for filling in Barton ACT, Brisbane QLD, or Melbourne VIC. A merit pool will be established for filling these or similar vacancies in Barton ACT, Brisbane QLD, or Melbourne VIC.