The Australian Human Rights Commission is seeking an APS 4 Project and Compliance Coordinator to join their Positive Duty Team on a 12-month contract with the possibility of ongoing employment. Salary range $72,294 to $80,033 + 15.4% superannuation.

Background

Funding was provided to the Commission through the Respect@Work budget to hire staff for the implementation of the Commission’s new regulatory functions with respect to the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act. The Positive Duty Team is now transitioning from implementation, in the lead up to 12 December 2023 when the Commission’s regulatory powers enlivened, to operationalisation post 12 December 2023, to carry out our statutory and regulatory functions being:

• To inquire into a duty holder’s compliance with the positive duty
• To ensure compliance with the positive duty
• To promote an understanding and acceptance, and public discussion, of the positive duty to undertake research and educational programs in relation to the positive duty.

The Project and Compliance Coordinator reports to the Team Leader, Compliance, Enforcement and Research and under broad direction from senior staff, undertakes a range of duties including:

• Assist team members in relation to inquiries and monitoring activities regarding the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act.
• Assist the ongoing compliance program, including coordinating compliance activities and their implementation, as necessary under the guidance of senior staff.
• Assist and coordinate the establishment and maintenance of reporting and compliance activities to ensure the program’s legislative and compliance requirements are met.
• Contribute to research, education and compliance development activities/outputs of the team that are evidence-based and include both quantitative and qualitative research and data.
• Assist to develop and refine resources for diverse organisations, communities and industries.
• Provide information to duty holders, community groups and other stakeholders as to the rights and obligations under the legislation administered by the office, including answering general enquiries from the public and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and participate in a range of projects in relation to the compliance, research and educative functions of the positive duty team.
• Assist with project coordination activities of the Positive Duty team.
• Other duties consistent with the above as directed.

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

Please note that this position may be filled on either an ongoing or non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature. 

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Technical

• Knowledge of or relevant experience in legislative compliance and enforcement activities or law will be considered highly desirable.
• Understanding of the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), sex discrimination law, gender equality issues or the capacity to quickly obtain it, will be considered highly desirable.
• Certificate IV Government Investigations would be highly regarded.

Contributes to strategic thinking

• Aligns own work to business directions and goals. Identifies issues and problems that may impact on work area plans and objectives. Participates actively in planning for the achievement of work area goals.
• Is able to undertake less complex research and to analyse and report on findings. Interprets and applies legislation and guidelines for decision making tasks using sound reasoning. Applies an appropriate level of investigation, consideration and critical evaluation to issues. Has a broad view of issues and context and is able to reason objectively to develop practical solutions to work issues.

Achieves results

• Shows flexibility in responding to uncertainty and changing demands. Supports and provides input into change initiatives. Modifies own work practices to support changing circumstances and organisational focus. Helps others in dealing with uncertainty and change.
• Contributes to planning own and team work targets and deadlines. Sets priorities and monitors work flow to achieve workplace goals within set timeframes. Regularly monitors own work performance against stated objectives and can work independently and manage specific tasks, processes or activities. Takes personal responsibility for work outputs and/or service provided to others.

Supports productive working relationships

• Demonstrates trust, respect and understanding towards others. Recognise individual differences at work and attempts to understand diverse perspectives. Works effectively with a diverse workforce in the Commission.
• Works collaboratively and encourages co-operation with team members and clients. Works effectively across work areas to ensure a collaborative approach. Actively participates as a valuable team member and supports participative decision making.

Displays personal drive and integrity

• Accepts responsibility for mistakes and tries to learn from the situations. Demonstrates willingness to seek advice and assistance from others if needed. Considers risks that will impact on own and team’s work and applies appropriate steps to mitigate those risks.
• Shows resilience and optimism and persists to achieve good outcome despite barriers or difficult circumstances. Responds appropriately to criticism and conflict situations. Maintains a balanced perspective on issues and supports others in times of crisis. Balances work and life and acts to maintain personal health and wellbeing.

Communicates with influence

• Engages in active listening and seeks clarification of own understanding. Tailors communication to audience and circumstances and ensures common understanding of issues. Encourages discussion and checks audience understanding.
• Recognises need for communication and identifies others’ concerns and expectations. When needed, is able to be persuasive when presenting own view. Is generally able to resolve conflicts and differences and respond effectively to diverse interactions. Demonstrates awareness of, and respect for, cultural differences when liaising with colleagues and clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Information

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, carers, LGBTQI+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please provide a resume and covering letter outlining your interest in this position. You are not required to address each selection criterion individually but should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that your skills, knowledge and experience are the right fit for this position. Please be accurate, succinct and show a clear connection with the selection criteria for the role. 

Additional information may be sought from [email protected] 

using the subject line: Project and Compliance Coordinator - Positive Duty Team - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.