CANDIDATE INFORMATION
FIRST ASSISTANT SECRETARY
(Several Positions)
Department of Health
Executive Search
February 2018
THE ORGANISATION
Background
The
Health Portfolio works towards achieving better health and wellbeing for all Australians,
now and for future generations.
The
Department of Health has a diverse set of responsibilities and works closely with other
government agencies, consumers and stakeholders to strengthen evidence-based policy
advice and improve program management, research and regulation. It provides policy advice
and implements Australian Government programs throughout the health and aged care
arena, including: services for the aged and their carers; public health and medical research;
health promotion and disease prevention; primary health care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people; pharmaceutical benefits; health benefits schemes; specific health services,
including human quarantine; a national drug abuse strategy; regulation of therapeutic goods;
notification and assessment of individual chemicals; and gene technology regulation. Sport is
an integral part of Australia’s health, social and economic well-being and the Department
plays a fundamental role in supporting the Government’s objectives in the sports sector.
The Department delivers against the following outcomes:
Outcome 1. Health System Policy, Design and Innovation. Ensuring that Australia’s health
system is better equipped to meet current and future health needs by applying research,
evaluation, innovation and use of data to develop and implement integrated, evidence-based
health policies, and through support for sustainable funding for health infrastructure.
Outcome 2. Health Access and Support Services. Support for sustainable funding for public
hospital services and improved access to high quality, comprehensive and coordinated
preventative, primary and mental health care for all Australians, with a focus on those with
complex health care needs and those living in regional, rural and remote areas, including
through access to a skilled health workforce.
Outcome 3. Sport and Recreation. Improved opportunities for community participation in
sport and recreation, excellence in high-performance athletes, and protecting the integrity of
sport through investment in sport infrastructure, coordination of Commonwealth involvement
in major sporting events, and research and international cooperation on sport issues.
Outcome 4. Individual Health Benefits. Access to cost-effective medicines, medical, dental
and hearing services, and improved choice in health services, including through the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Medicare, targeted assistance strategies and private health
insurance.
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THE ORGANISATION
Outcome 5. Regulation, Safety and Protection. Protection of the health and safety of the
Australian community and preparedness to respond to national health emergencies and risks,
including through immunisation initiatives, and regulation of therapeutic goods, chemicals,
gene technology and blood and organ products.
Outcome 6. Ageing and Aged Care. Improved wellbeing for older Australians through
targeted support, access to quality care and related information services.
APS Values
Every person in the Department is expected to uphold the Australian Public Service (APS)
Values of being:
• Impartial – The APS is apolitical and provides the Government with advice that is frank,
honest, timely and based on the best available evidence
• Committed to service – The APS is professional, objective, innovative and efficient, and
works collaboratively to achieve the best results for the Australian community and the
Government
• Accountable – The APS is open and accountable to the Australian community under the
law and within the framework of Ministerial responsibility
• Respectful – The APS respects all people, including their rights and their heritage
• Ethical – The APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity in al
that it does.
The Department’s Behaviours in Action
To achieve the Department’s vision, the Executive fosters a culture in which it:
• Collaborates to innovate – works with others to make a difference
• Invests in high performance – nurtures talent and builds capability in others
• Trusts and empowers – builds trust to exercise responsibility
• Listens and appreciates – listens with intent and values contributions
• Walks the talk – leads by example and embraces change
Further information about the Department can be found at:
www.health.gov.au
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THE POSITION AND THE PERSON
Title:
First Assistant Secretary
Classification:
SES Band 2
Reports to:
Deputy
Secretary, Department of Health
Employment term: Ongoing
Location:
Woden, ACT
1.
Duties
As a First Assistant Secretary you wil support the Secretary and Deputy Secretary with the
leadership and management of a large Division. This will include the provision of high level
policy advice to portfolio Ministers; planning, development and implementation of major
government and departmental initiatives; operational leadership and change management;
and the establishment of strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including state
and territory governments and major non-government organisations. You will also be
expected to represent the Department in a wide range of public forums.
2.
Relevant Experience
To be a strong contender, you wil need to be an outstanding leader and manager with
extensive experience in leading major change and providing strategic advice to
Government. You will also have high level policy advisory experience relating to major
government reforms, an understanding of the expectations of Ministers, the ability to
inspire and lead change, and a proven record of delivering high quality outcomes in a fast-
paced and complex environment. Your intel ectual rigour and sound judgement wil be
complemented by first class communication skil s and a personal style that engenders trust
and respect.
3.
Managerial and Personal Attributes
You wil be expected to demonstrate:
• An exceptional results orientation, resilience and a positive approach to issues resolution;
• First class communication and representational skills;
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, strategic management and leadership skills;
• Professional authority and credibility;
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THE POSITION AND THE PERSON
• The ability to inspire confidence and operate effectively in dynamic and quickly changing
environments;
• Keen intel igence, persuasiveness and the influence necessary to deliver both formal and
informal leadership;
• A proactive approach to professional and organisational development with the ability to
engender enthusiasm and professionalism in others;
• Astute judgement and political awareness; and
• The ability to positively influence a health and safety culture in the Department.
4.
Qualifications
Appropriate tertiary qualifications will be well regarded.
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SELECTION CRITERIA
The criteria below are applied when selecting for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions
within the Australian Public Service (APS). When considering applicants, Selection Advisory
Panels wil seek evidence of performance against each of the criteria. It is therefore in the
interests of candidates to present their application in a way that demonstrates significant
outcomes associated with each of the criteria, as well as the capabilities and behaviours that
underpin them. (Please see ‘How to Apply’ at the end of this document).
1.
Shape Strategic Thinking
Relevant capabilities and behaviours:
• inspires a sense of purpose and direction
• strategic focus
• ability to recognise opportunities, harness information
• shows judgement, intel igence and common sense
2.
Achieve Results
Relevant capabilities and behaviours:
• organisational capability
• professional expertise
• implements change
• ability to clarify ambiguities
• closure and delivery
3.
Exemplify Personal Drive and Integrity
Relevant capabilities and behaviours:
• professionalism and probity
• risk-taking and personal courage
• action orientation
• resilience
• self awareness
• commitment to personal development
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SELECTION CRITERIA
4.
Cultivate Productive Working Relationships
Relevant capabilities and behaviours:
• nurtures internal and external relationships
• facilitates co-operation and partnerships
• values differences and diversity
• guides, mentors and develops people
5.
Communicate with Influence
Relevant capabilities and behaviours:
• communicates clearly
• listens, understands and adapts to different audiences
• negotiates persuasively
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REMUNERATION, TENURE AND CONDITIONS
1.
Remuneration
These are critical senior appointments and the remuneration packages will therefore be
structured to attract and retain outstanding appointees. The packages will include an
attractive base salary, an executive vehicle cash-out al owance, non-cash benefits (which
could include parking, airport lounge membership, IT equipment,) and employer sponsored
superannuation.
2.
Location
The positions are based in Canberra and the appointees will be expected to work primarily
from the Department’s Central Office in the ACT.
3.
Assistance with Relocation
Assistance with removal expenses and / or short- term accommodation assistance may be
provided if interstate relocation is involved.
4.
Other Conditions
To be employed by the Department of Health applicants must be Australian citizens or have
permanent residency status pending the granting of Australian citizenship.
These are positions of trust and successful candidates wil be subject to a security clearance.
5. Future SES Band 2 Appointments
While the Department intends to fill several Band 2 level positions in the near future, it may
also select candidates from this process to staff other Division Head vacancies over the next
twelve months.
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HOW TO APPLY
In preparing your application you should:
1. prepare a short pitch (1000 words maximum) highlighting your skills, knowledge,
experience and claims in the context of the criteria listed at pages 6 and 7; and
2. provide a Curriculum Vitae setting out relevant personal particulars, employment
history, qualifications and experience.
The preferred method of submission of applications is by email in
Word format to:
admin
.com.au.
If further information is required, please contact
on
.
Applications close on 18 February 2018. As the Department wishes to finalise this process
quickly, late applications may not be accepted.