The Australian Human Rights Commission has an ongoing EL1 position available in their Positive Duty team. Salary range is $111,649 - $124,836 pa + 15.4% superannuation.

This ongoing role of Team Leader, Compliance, Enforcement and Research will be required to support, most specifically, the following functions:

• to inquire into a duty holder’s compliance with the positive duty
• to ensure compliance with the positive duty
• to undertake research in relation to the positive duty

Reporting to the Director, Positive Duty, this role will supervise compliance and analyst staff within the team and will support staff development and provide a pathway for advancement within the team. This is a core critical operational role and will be required to deliver on the Commission’s functions, and our ‘Statement of Intent’ in response to the Minister’s ‘Statement of Expectations’.

The Team Leader, Compliance, Enforcement and Research reports to the Director of the Positive Duty Team and undertakes a range of duties including:

• In consultation with the Director, provide leadership to effectively manage compliance and analyst staff within the Positive Duty team, overseeing work efforts and compliance activities regarding the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act.
• Oversee and conduct inquiries and other associated compliance activities in accordance with legislation, processes, and procedure, to provide risk-based and outcome focused compliance results.
• Oversee and prepare reports, briefs of evidence and other documentation including recommended plans of action for inquiries to ensure the Executive, Senior Managers and Legal Officers have sufficient, accurate, and quality information and advice and decision-making tools at their disposal.
• Drive a respectful and inclusive culture of high performance by providing supervision, direction and clear communication regarding role responsibilities and expectations; provide regular performance management and progress reviews to address performance strengths and gaps and identify relevant training and development opportunities to ensure successful achievement.
• Oversee systems and staff to monitor trends, and strategies, consistent with the positive duty statutory responsibilities and to identify and address emerging issues.
• Assist relevant staff in the interpretation and preparation of material for relevant litigation to ensure policies, programs and legislative requirements are interpreted and implemented consistently.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the Director and other key stakeholders on issues that may be of a sensitive or potentially contentious nature to ensure the development and implementation of contemporary and responsive strategies.
• Identify opportunities, undertake and lead research to assist with the consideration, development, and implementation of strategies to achieve defined outcomes and operational strategic aims.

These duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and Commission policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the Commission may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Technical:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff in a regulatory or similar environment will be considered highly desirable.
• Knowledge of or relevant experience in legislative compliance and enforcement activities, Certificate IV in Government Investigations or law will be considered highly desirable.
• Understanding of the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), sex discrimination law, gender equality issues or the capacity to quickly obtain it, will be considered highly desirable.

Contributes to strategic thinking:

• Understands the internal and external factors influencing the Commission and aligns organisational operations accordingly. Gives consideration to the varying perspectives, interests and needs of stakeholders. Embraces organisational developments and plans accordingly to meet long- and short-term agenda.
• Applies intellectual rigour and knowledge to understand, analyse and reason through complex and critical issues affecting the team. Exercises astute judgment and decision making with a sensitivity to issues impacting on the work area and the Commission. Is able to apply legislation and policy to novel or complex situations. Has a broad and encompassing view of issues and context. Anticipates risks and identifies opportunities. Generates innovative and practical solutions to problems and understands the implications of decisions and actions for the Commission’s business objectives and stakeholders.

Achieves results:

• Actively encourages a positive work culture that is committed to the efficient, effective and lawful use of the Commission’s resources and optimal business processes. Supports high levels of responsiveness to changing demands and high standards of performance in work area. Reviews performance of business functions and is alert to opportunities for continuous business process improvement. Works to create the environment for success by providing opportunities for the expansion of capability in others and effectively utilising key individuals.
• Takes responsibility for managing work area including assigning and managing workloads, identifying resource needs and ensuring workplace goals are accomplished within deadlines. Supports a culture of achievement and excellence within area of responsibility. Provides sufficient support to enable others to deliver on objectives. Develop solutions that are outcomes focused and informed by a strategic perspective. Seeks feedback from stakeholders to gauge performance, is accountable and takes personal responsibility for own and team work outputs and/or services provided to other areas.

Supports productive working relationships:

• Takes responsibility for developing capability in a team environment by coaching others and encouraging career development. Identifies opportunities for people to engage in continuous learning and development and provides effective feedback. Recognises and develops talent in people and manages underperformance where necessary. Undertakes performance management responsibilities in a timely and constructive manner and fosters active participation in performance management processes.
• Encourages others to recognise and embrace the benefits of individual difference and diversity. Demonstrates trust, respect and understanding towards others. Accepts and supports differing perspectives on issues. Provides leadership in managing diversity in the workplace including promoting and implementing workplace diversity principles and plans.

Displays personal drive and integrity:

• Assumes personal responsibility for achieving outcomes and objectives within area of responsibility. Is proactive in overcoming problems and achieving objectives. Demonstrates personal drive and enthusiasm to ensure goals are achieved and encourages this in others.
• Models the highest levels of professionalism, independence, integrity, honesty, accountability and ethical behaviour. Promotes and upholds What We Value, the APS values, the APS Code of Conduct and other relevant professional codes of ethics and practice and aligns business processes accordingly. Actively and appropriately addresses behaviour that is inconsistent with What We Value. Provides a high level of honest and impartial advice to Government, clients and stakeholders. Provides leadership in ethical behaviour and ensures that the department’s goals, priorities and standards are met regardless of personal views or agenda. Promotes and upholds WH&S requirements.

Communicates with influence:

• Presents information with a high level of proficiency and for maximum effect both orally and in writing. Translates technical and complex information coherently and concisely for a range of audiences and ensures understanding. Structures oral and written communication appropriately to ensure understanding. Communicates in a manner that addresses task requirements. Communicates constantly and meaningfully with staff. Is a professional representative of work area and of organisation. Clearly articulates the work area’s views and position.
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of negotiation position and a clear grasp of key issues, likely arguments and areas for compromise. Understands organisational objectives and negotiates from a position of authority and credibility. Is able to influence others and frame arguments persuasively. Stays composed rather than confrontational or defensive. Shows commitment to positive outcomes and resolution of issues despite difficult relations when dealing with internal and external stakeholders. Effectively liaises, negotiates and resolves conflict with colleagues and clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures based on a sound appreciation of, and respect for, cultural differences.

Additional Information

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, carers, LGBTQI+ 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) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.

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 provide a resume and covering letter outlining your interest in this position. You are not required to address each selection criterion individually but should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that your skills, knowledge and experience are the right fit for this position. Please be accurate, succinct and show a clear connection with the selection criteria for the role.

Additional information may be sought from [email protected] using the subject line: Team Leader - Compliance, Enforcement and Research enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.