Director, Policy and Statutory Functions

About the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Working with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will put you at the forefront of data protection and access to information regulation. As an independent statutory agency, the OAIC’s work is of national significance and plays an important role in shaping Australia’s information handling landscape across the economy - from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications. Our mission is to uphold and promote Australia’s privacy and freedom of information laws.

We are an agency within the Attorney-General’s Department portfolio with responsibility for:

• privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Digital ID Act 2024
• freedom of information functions, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
• privacy and confidentiality functions in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA).

Leadership roles in the OAIC

Leadership within the OAIC work as a united team, collaborating and supporting each other and staff in achieving outcomes for the Australian community, and ensuring the agency’s success.

You will demonstrate leadership that aligns with the values of the OAIC, which include:

• Modelling and championing the OAIC’s Guiding Principles (‘4 Pillars’): being proactive, proportionate, purpose-driven and people-focused
• Possessing integrity and demonstrating alignment with the APS Values: Impartial, Committed to service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Stewardship
• Empowering staff to make decisions and supporting a shift to a more harm-focused regulatory approach for the OAIC that considers risk in a proportionate manner and is not risk averse
• Supporting OAIC’s Commissioners to set the strategic direction of the OAIC, communicating that direction internally and externally, and leading your team to deliver on it.

About The Team

The team is responsible for the OAIC’s engagement with legislative and policy processes, discharge of statutory responsibilities, engagement with key stakeholders, and coordination of OAIC’s activities within various funded programs of work. The team’s areas of responsibilities include:

• Leading OAIC contributions to law reform, parliamentary bill scrutiny, and other consultative processes
• Developing submissions, reports and papers for commissioners on information access, privacy, and information rights policy and issues
• Coordination of OAIC’s specialist regulatory roles (Digital ID, CDR, consumer credit code, My Health Record)
• Liaison and engagement with external dispute resolution (EDR) schemes accredited under the Privacy Act
• Development and maintenance of codes and other statutory instruments issued by the Information Commissioner under the Privacy Act and related legislation
• Cooperation with international counterparts and coordination with international institutions (e.g., International Association of Information Commissioners, Global Privacy Assembly)
• Engagement with cross-government coordination mechanisms on cyber security
• Conducting research, developing positions, and engaging with stakeholders on significant and emerging information rights topics (e.g., emerging technologies)

About The Role

This role requires a dynamic and adaptable leader who can manage complex workflows and ensure program deliverables are met within timeframes and strategic objectives.

The Co-Director, Policy and Statutory Functions will work as part of the Policy and Statutory Functions team along with another director, reporting to the General Manager, Regulatory Intelligence and Strategy (RIS).

The Co-Director will coordinate the OAIC’s activities in relation to some of the specialist focus areas listed above, lead program-related policy development, operational oversight, and provide high-level advice to the OAIC’s executive leadership team. In addition to overseeing programmatic execution, the Co-Director will manage teams at both a project and administrative level, providing leadership, mentorship, and fostering a collaborative, cross-functional work environment. These roles require strong leaders with the ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and represent the OAIC at a senior level.

You will maintain a high level of integrity and discretion and abide by the APS Code of Conduct, combined with a demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of Work Health and Safety, equity, and diversity in the workplace.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

The key responsibilities of the role are as follows:

• Leadership and Management:

• Build and maintain an effective team and coordinate delivery of the section’s function.
• Implement contemporary management practices in line with the APS employment framework.
• Contribute to a positive work environment and the development of a collaborative and innovative team culture for the RIS Branch.

• Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain working relationships with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors, the community, and within the OAIC.

• Represent the OAIC at forums, events, and Parliamentary hearings.

• Strategic Direction:

• Actively engage in setting, communicating, and advancing the strategic direction of the section and the Branch in line with organisational priorities.

• Program Management:

• Oversee the successful management and delivery of multiple work programs.
• Provide accurate and timely strategic policy advice in a busy environment to government agencies, the private sector, and the community.
• Prepare submissions on the impacts of programs and proposed legislation.

• Ensure program deliverables are met within timeframes and strategic objectives.

• Other Duties:

• Perform other duties consistent with the above as directed.

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are seeking applications from candidates who have:

• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the Privacy Act 1988, and other associated laws and instruments, or the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate information coherently and concisely to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering regulatory guidance, policy, and/or legal advice, and an ability to apply complex legislation and policy frameworks to issues.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and mentoring staff, managing team workloads and priorities in a high-volume work area to ensure program deliverables are met.
• Strong project management skills, and a proven ability to work independently to meet strategic outcomes and statutory timeframes and adapt to ever-changing priorities and deadlines.

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

You are encouraged to familiarise yourself with the APS Work Level Standards for your relevant classification.

Security requirements

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance.

Position location

The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance.  Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD (and preferred), we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia.

The OAIC values face-to-face interaction and fostering connection between our people and with our stakeholders. The OAIC’s hybrid work model expects in office attendance when the type of work or task is better suited to being completed from an office, for example, staff inductions and onboarding, planning days, relationship building activities and project or collaborative work.

Remuneration and benefits

EL2 salary: $141,876 - $161,916 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

The OAIC is committed to enabling its people to perform at their best and offers the following benefits:

• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of privacy and data protection, paving the way for future career opportunities.
• Genuine flexibility to help achieve a balance between work and home life.
• Contribution to your wellbeing through subsidies for eye health, flu vaccinations and a wellbeing allowance.
• Additional paid leave over the Christmas to New Year period as well as access to other leave (e.g. for study or moving).
• Access to ongoing professional development, with a capability framework to guide skill enhancement.

The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people living with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.

Eligibility

• Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens.
• There are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.
• For the duration of your employment with the OAIC you will be required to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 and meet required background, identification and character checks.
• Note: All duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and OAIC policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

How to Apply

1. Please complete the application form found at the end of this job pack as part of your submission.
2. Please provide:
   1. a resume (aim for a maximum of 2-3 pages) and
   2. statement of claim of up to one A4 page, addressing the duties, capabilities, skills and experience relevant to the role outlined above. Your statement should include the use of practical and professional examples of your skills and experience as relevant to the role.
3. Your application form, CV and statement of claim should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.  Please ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number found on the front page of this pack.