Director, Regulation and Strategy
Executive Level 2
(Ongoing and non ongoing positions)
Applicant Information
Thank you for your inquiry about working in the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC). This document has been prepared to help you apply for this position.
Any further job specific information required should be sought from the contact officer Ms
Angelene Falk, Assistant Commissioner, Regulation and Strategy Branch on (02) 9284 9710.
About the OAIC
The OAIC is a statutory agency, established under the Australian Information Commissioner
Act 2010, and is within the Attorney-General’s portfolio. The OAIC brings together the
functions of information policy, privacy and freedom of information to ensure the
development of a consistent workable information policy across all Australian Government
agencies. In addition the OAIC’s privacy function covers the business and not-for-profit
sectors.
The Information Commissioner Professor John McMillan is head of the OAIC and is
supported by two other statutory officers; the Freedom of Information Commissioner, Dr
James Popple and the Privacy Commissioner, Mr Timothy Pilgrim.
Director, Regulation and Strategy
The positions are located in the Regulation and Strategy Branch. Directors in the Regulation
and Strategy Branch deliver a broad range of strategic policy and regulatory functions,
primarily under the Commonwealth Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010, the
Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982. This is a unique environment in
which the OAIC engages closely with both the public and private sectors.
The Director is a highly experienced professional with the following capabilities:

highly developed leadership and management abilities

ability to provide high level strategic regulatory and policy advice, problem solving
and issues management for internal and external stakeholders in relation to complex
and potentially controversial matters

excellent ability to liaise, consult and negotiate with other government, industry and
community groups on a range of complex regulatory and policy issues

highly developed project management capability

ability to develop and maintain a high level of technical knowledge of legislative
requirements, Australian and international practice, quality assurance and best
practice models

ability to anticipate and understand the policy and regulatory impact of new and
emerging technologies.
The Director, Regulation and Strategy will support the Assistant Commissioner, Regulation
and Strategy Branch to deliver services to the three statutory Commissioners, staff of the
OAIC, government, the private sector and the community across the three primary functions
of the OAIC: privacy, freedom of information and government information policy.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Australian citizens, or be eligible for citizenship.
Relevant qualifications/experience in one or more of the following areas would be highly
desirable: public policy, regulation, law, information technology.
Position Location
The positions can be located in either Sydney or Canberra.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the OAIC’s Enterprise
Agreement which can be found here: http://www.oaic.gov.au/about-us/corporateinformation/key-oaic-documents/oaic-enterprise-agreement-20112014
General Information
Please read the information for job applicants on the OAIC website, which provide general
information on applying for these positions. In that material you will find information about
eligibility, the selection process, how to prepare a statement of claims and the Applicant
Details form. Any further information required should be sought from the contact officer.
Applications should consist of the following:

One page covering letter

Resume or CV

A statement against the selection criteria.

Applicant Details Form (.doc) (.pdf).
Applications should be submitted by close of business 4 April 2014.
Please note that the Australian Human Rights Commission administers the recruitment
function for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Please send your application to:
[email protected]
or
2
The Human Resources Officer
C/- Australian Human Rights Commission
GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 2000
or
by fax to: 02 9284 9611
Selection Results
You will be advised of the outcome of the process by letter or email.
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Position description
Title:
Classification:
Branch:
Location:
Supervisor:
Director
Executive Level 2
Regulation and Strategy
Sydney or Canberra
Assistant Commissioner, Regulation and Strategy
The Role
Directors in the Regulation and Strategy Branch lead and manage their section of up to around
10 staff to deliver high quality strategic policy and regulatory services to the Australian
Information Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Freedom of Information Commissioner,
staff of the OAIC, government agencies, private sector organisations and the community in
relation to the OAIC’s functions of information policy, freedom of information and privacy.
Proactive regulatory work includes conducting privacy assessments of government agencies and
the private sector, conducting FOI and privacy Commissioner initiated (own motion)
investigations, providing advice on data breach notifications and preparing legislative
instruments.
Strategic policy work includes developing guidance and providing advice on privacy, freedom of
information and information policy as well as examining legislative proposals. Significantly,
recent amendments to the Privacy Act require the Branch to produce a range of guidance, rules
and other instruments. The Branch also provides privacy policy advice under memorandum of
understanding arrangements with government departments, currently including with the
Department of Health in relation to the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Act 2012
and the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010, and works with the private sector to ensure compliance
particularly in the area of new technologies and legislative reform.
The vacancies currently exist in sections responsible for the implementation of recent reforms
to the Privacy Act to promote and secure the protection of personal information, the promotion
of open government under the Freedom of Information Act and the implementation of a
national information policy framework. This may include the exercise of regulatory functions
and powers under delegation, the development of guidance, regulatory instruments and the
provision of advice to government and business nationally. A merit list may be produced and
drawn on should further vacancies arise. Directors should be able to work across any functional
area.
Duties
(The specific duties will be dependent on the allocated section)
1. Provide high level policy advice to the Australian Information Commissioner,
Freedom of Information Commissioner, Privacy Commissioner, internal and external
stakeholders on privacy, freedom of information and government information
issues.
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2. Provide sound leadership and guidance to staff of the section to deliver high quality
outcomes to stakeholders.
3. Manage statutory obligations including developing advisory guidelines, resources for
agencies, business and consumers, code approvals, public interest determinations.
4. Under delegation implement the Commissioner’s proactive regulatory powers
including overseeing, undertaking and managing complex Commissioner initiated
privacy and FOI investigations, privacy assessments (audits), data matching activities
and other regulatory functions to ensure high quality decision making and effective
delivery of services to the public.
5. Provide the Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners with high level advice and
recommendations on the management of the key issues impacting on the OAIC.
6. Contribute to corporate activities and the development and implementation of the
OAIC’s strategic plan.
7. Promote best practice in relation to freedom of information and privacy across the
public and private sector through strong strategic partnerships.
Notes
These duties are to be performed in accordance with the OAIC’s policies including the APS
Code of Conduct and Values, Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety.
Note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo a security assessment
Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an
employee from time to time.
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Selection Criteria
There are five core criteria for employment at Executive Level 2, as listed below. With each
criterion, there is a list of related capabilities set out for your reference. These capabilities
are indicative of the criteria and it is not intended that applications and assessments should
address each and every capability. For more information regarding the core selection
criteria, please see the Australian Public Service Commission website at
http://www.apsc.gov.au/learn/frameworks-and-guidelines/ils.
You should frame your application against the selection criteria outlined below, taking
into consideration the duties of the position as well as the capabilities.
Core selection criteria
1.
Shapes strategic thinking
Relevant capabilities:

Inspires a sense of purpose and direction

Focuses strategically

Harnesses information and opportunities

Shows judgement, intelligence and common sense
2.
Achieves results
Relevant capabilities:

Builds organisational capability and responsiveness

Marshals professional expertise

Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty

Ensures closure and delivers on intended results
3.
Cultivates productive working relationships
Relevant capabilities:

Nurtures internal and external relationships

Facilitates cooperation and partnerships

Values individual differences and diversity

Guides, mentors and develops people
4.
Exemplifies personal drive and integrity
Relevant capabilities:

Demonstrates public service professionalism and probity

Engages with risk and shows personal courage

Commits to actions

Displays resilience
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
Demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal development
5.
Communicates with influence
Relevant capabilities:

Communicates clearly

Listens, understands and adapts to audience

Negotiates persuasively
Job specific criterion
6.
Expert knowledge, experience or understanding of privacy and freedom of
information legislation and information policy, or the ability to quickly acquire this
knowledge and understanding.
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