EL2 - Director, Post and International Branch

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available

Communications and connectivity are vital to Australia’s economy and society. The Communications Services and Consumer (CSC) Division is at the centre of developing policy and programs to ensure all Australians have access to reliable communications and postal services.

CSC Division staff provide advice to government on expansion of digital connectivity under various communications programs, including the Australian Government’s regional communications programs, telecommunications resilience policy, Australia Post and promoting Australia’s communications interests on the international stage

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Australia’s engagement with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nations body for digital technologies, on telecommunications standardisation and development issues (spectrum-related issues are led by a separate Division). Global interest in the ITU has been growing and you will be at the forefront of challenging multilateral negotiations to ensure the work of the ITU, and its governance, is aligned with Australia’s values and national interests. You will also be responsible for driving greater Australian engagement with the Pacific on telecommunications priorities, and leading Australia’s engagement in regional forums – the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and APEC’s Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TELWG).

What will you do? 

Global interest in the ITU has been growing. Non-likeminded countries are continuing to push for the responsibilities of the ITU to further expand, with the risk that global standards determined at the ITU are not aligned with Australia’s values and national interests. Many of these issues, such as Artificial Intelligence and cyber security, fall within the portfolio responsibilities of partner agencies. You will work with partner agencies and likeminded countries to identify key risks to Australia’s values and national interests and work across countries to build support for Australia’s positions.

The ITU, APT and APEC’s TELWG provide key forums for the exchange of experiences and knowledge between countries. You will work across the Communications and Media Group, portfolio agencies and others, to ensure Australia is an active and valued participant in these forums.

Telecommunications are vital to the economic and social advancement of Pacific Island nations, and these nations are seeking assistance from Australia, the ITU and APT, and other multilateral agencies to better utilise telecommunications. You will support the Pacific to identify specific telecommunications development priorities, and to identify how Australia and other partners can best support the achievement of these priorities. This includes managing targeted Australian funded projects through the ITU, APT and APEC-TEL.

Further priorities include identifying opportunities to incrementally improve the internal governance of the ITU, and strengthening the engagement of Australian industry, academia and civil society in the work of ITU, APT and APEC TELWG.

International travel is an essential part of the role, but you will not be constantly travelling. International representation responsibilities are equitably distributed across the team, other divisions, the SES and partner agencies, based on the motto ‘right person, right place, right time’.

Who are we looking for? 

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 2 Work level standards.

We are looking for an experienced candidate to demonstrate capability in the following areas:

• Engaging strategically, determining key longer-term priorities and potential negotiating trade-offs  
• Ability to work with significant autonomy, and to lead and mentor a large team with significant responsibilities delegated to team members
• Experience representing Australia internationally
• Expertise, or the ability to quickly gain expertise, in the telecommunications sector, including international telecommunications forums, primarily within the Universal Postal Union (UPU) or the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
• Being a natural collaborator, able to leverage technical expertise from across the Australian Public Service and key international allies
• Taking responsibility for the achievement of team outcomes, monitor team progress and follow through to delivery

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Engaging strategically, determining key longer-term priorities and potential negotiating trade-offs  
• Ability to work with significant autonomy, and to lead and mentor a large team with significant responsibilities delegated to team members
• Experience representing Australia internationally
• Being a natural collaborator, able to leverage technical expertise from across the Australian Public Service and key international allies
• Taking responsibility for the achievement of team outcomes, monitor team progress and follow through to delivery

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability, and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer?

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at NV1 (baseline minimum on commencement).  You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.  You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances.  More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: Wednesday 10 September 2025

Applications close: Thursday 25 September 2025

Application shortlisting: 29 September 2025

Further assessments: 20 October 2025

Selection report finalised: 7 November 2025

Offers and announcements: 10 November 2025

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEST, Thursday 25 September 2025.

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than  one (1) page outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than three (3) pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.

Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system.  Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email [email protected] 

Work with us. Apply now!