The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate leader to manage our collaboration with the Australian Defence Force. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and high-level oversight of the partnership, developing and maintaining strong relationships with key Defence stakeholders. You will lead a dedicated team and guide the successful delivery of all associated project work of the partnership.

This full-time / part time, ongoing position / non ongoing position offers a competitive salary range as listed. 

We offer flexible hybrid and remote work options to suit your lifestyle.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide strategic guidance, leadership and management of the Defence Collaboration including strategic engagement with key partnership stakeholders.
• Lead the development and maintenance of effective strategic and operational relationships with the various areas within Defence, to strengthen the partnership and promote successful implementation of partnership aims.
• Drive innovation and thought leadership, strengthening the profile of the Commission.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Defence-AHRC team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
• Oversee planning and implementation of the program to ensure mutually agreed programs of work are delivered to a high standard, within resource allocation, effectively managing any risks and challenges.
• Providing advice on best practice workplace cultural reform for national security agencies, particularly armed services.
• Analysis of data, organisational policies, systems and processes in order to identify systemic issues, potential barriers to cultural reform and develop strategic responses.
• Hold operational responsibility and take proactive approach for risk management across all programs, ensuring the identification and mitigation of risks at both programmatic and organisational levels.
• Ensure adherence to financial, legal, and operational compliance standards in all program activities.
• Provide high-level strategic advice to the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Senior Advisor and other relevant senior executives in the Commission in relation to the Defence Collaboration work.

What We’re Looking For:

• Demonstrated knowledge and practical understanding of workplace cultural reform and the ability to lead this reform through a human right based intersectional approach.
• Demonstrated ability to critically analyse complex issues and provide practical, innovative and evidence-based advice and guidance to shape projects, programs and their outcomes.
• Demonstrated partnership management skills including highly developed relationship management skills and the ability to build and sustain positive relationships.
• Demonstrated management ability, including the capacity for leadership in development of team goals, strategies and work plans,
• Project/Program Management skills with a demonstrated ability to deliver effective outcomes in complex environments with time pressure.
• Budget and financial management experience, in a complex external funding context.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing small teams, with a focus on building team capability, fostering a positive work culture, and promoting employee wellbeing.
• Exceptional communication skills including a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, confidently, persuasively, and in a culturally appropriate way with diverse stakeholders and team members.

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply now! Help us shape the future of human rights communication in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Applications close: As listed.

Notes

We strongly encourage First Nations people and individuals from other negatively racialised backgrounds to apply.

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note that this position may be filled on either an ongoing or non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit here.

How to Apply

Click "Apply now" to submit your application. Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position, your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfil the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Lola Trajkovich via email [email protected] using the subject line: Director - Australian Defence Collaboration enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.