Assistant Director Safeguards Communications & Engagement, Executive Level 1, Australian Trade Remedies Commission

• Canberra, Melbourne
• Applications close 14 October
• The salary range for this role is $126,391 - $134,225

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the Commission

The Australian Trade Remedies Commission is a best practice regulator and a leading international trade remedies authority. We exist to support the Australian economy by securing a level playing field for local industry by investigating and remedying unfair international trade practices including dumping, subsidies and import volume surges. 

The Commission delivers against the Minister’s Statement of Expectations to ensure a more timely, effective and accessible trade remedies system, and to contribute to a Future Made in Australia.

The Commission is undergoing significant reform, including operating model improvements, legislative reform, capability uplift, and the establishment of a safeguards function. 

At the Commission, you can do meaningful work that has a real impact on Australian industry and the economy, while building specialist expertise in a supportive, flexible and values-driven environment with a united culture that values trust, safety and continuous improvement. We invest in our people, encourage continuous learning, and empower staff to shape the future of a modern, best-practice regulator. 

Safeguards branch

The safeguards function will undertake inquiries into import surges and their impact on Australian industry, using economic analysis, legal expertise and stakeholder engagement to support government decision-making. A safeguards mechanism is a trade remedy that allows a government to temporarily provide support to a domestic industry from a sudden surge in imports that is causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to that industry.

The Safeguards Branch will be a multidisciplinary, nationally significant capability responsible for delivering Australia's trade remedies safeguards framework. The branch will play a key role in strengthening Australia's trade remedies architecture and advancing the Commission's vision to be a best-practice regulator and leading international trade remedies authority. The branch will also contribute to other investigation responsibilities as required to enable Commission to operate in an agile way.

Our ideal candidate

Assistant Director Safeguards Communications and Engagement EL1 - 12 months or ongoing

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a highly skilled communications and engagement professional who can influence outcomes, build trusted relationships and deliver effective stakeholder engagement in a complex regulatory environment.

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Build trust and credibility with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Deliver strategic communication and engagement outcomes in complex and sensitive environments.
• Exercise sound judgement and provide practical advice on communication and stakeholder issues.
• Lead projects and initiatives while managing competing priorities.
• Foster collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

Experience

• Experience developing and delivering stakeholder engagement, consultation or communications programs in a government, regulatory or corporate environment.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and navigating competing interests.
• Experience preparing communication products and advice for senior executives and decision-makers.
• Experience leading projects, work programs or initiatives that achieve organisational outcomes.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder forums, workshops, consultations or public engagement activities.
• Experience dealing with complex, sensitive or high-profile issues.

Skills and knowledge

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, consultation and relationship management capabilities.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong project management, planning and organisational skills.
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage sensitive issues and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement methodologies and best practices.
• Understanding of government decision-making, regulatory environments and public sector accountability.
• Knowledge of trade remedies, safeguards measures, international trade or economic regulation, or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.

What you will do

Assistant Director Safeguards Communications and Engagement EL1 - 12 months or ongoing

The Assistant Director Safeguards Communications and Engagement is a leadership role responsible for developing and delivering communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement activities that support the Australian Trade Remedies Commission’s safeguards function. The role contributes to the successful administration of safeguards measures by fostering stakeholder understanding, participation and confidence in safeguards processes and outcomes.

The role will lead engagement strategies and communication activities that support inquiry delivery, industry outreach, transparency and stakeholder participation across safeguards operations and inquiries.

The role is responsible for managing stakeholder engagement programs, developing communication products, coordinating consultation activities and providing strategic advice on communication and engagement matters.

The role will:

• Lead stakeholder engagement and communication activities that support the effective operation of the safeguards function.
• Develop and implement communication and engagement strategies that promote transparency, stakeholder confidence and understanding of safeguards processes.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with industry, government agencies, industry associations and other stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice on stakeholder issues, communication risks and engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate consultation activities and public engagement processes associated with safeguards matters.
• Contribute to organisational capability, continuous improvement and best-practice stakeholder engagement.

Key duties

• Deliver communication, consultation and engagement activities supporting safeguards inquiries and operations.
• Lead engagement with Australian manufacturers, importers, industry associations, legal representatives, government agencies and international stakeholders as required.
• Prepare high-quality communication products, including briefings, presentations, stakeholder correspondence, web content and guidance materials.
• Coordinate public consultations, hearings, information sessions and stakeholder forums.
• Monitor emerging stakeholder issues and provide advice on communication and reputational risks.
• Evaluate communication and engagement activities and recommend improvements.
• Develop stakeholder guidance, educational materials and operational procedures that support the safeguards function.
• Represent the Commission in stakeholder engagements and cross-agency forums.

Eligibility

This vacancy is open to current APS employees only.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is onsite Canberra or Melbourne based, although flexible arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact *************************** or (************* if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Jason Fitts via email on *******************************