• Sydney NSW

Join Us in Shaping Australia’s Future:

The Australian Human Rights Commission is seeking a Senior Director – Human Rights Education, Partnerships and Projects on a full time – ongoing basis.

Ideally located in Sydney, NSW - Other locations will be considered.

Offering a competitive negotiable EL2 base salary with additional 15.4% superannuation.

About Us

At the Australian Human Rights Commission, we are at the forefront of advancing human rights across the nation. Our mission is to build an Australian society where every person is free and equal in dignity and rights. We achieve this by advising governments, influencing policy, engaging with communities, and raising awareness. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity for all.

We value inclusivity and diversity within our leadership team 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, from marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ people and people living with disability.

About the Policy Section

The Policy Section supports our President and seven statutory Commissioners (race, age, sex, disability discrimination; children; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice and human rights) to promote awareness and understanding of human rights, conduct research and advocacy, and make recommendations to government to fully implement Australia’s human rights obligations. The Policy section also leads the Commission’s work on community and NGO engagement, human rights education, international engagement (through technical cooperation programs, engagement with other national human rights institutions and United Nations engagement) and partnerships with key government, industry and civil society organisations.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, and as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role requires high-level leadership and representational skills and substantial management experience with an ability to develop new partnerships/alliances and identify new human rights policy project funding.

Key Priorities in the role

What You'll Do:

• International Partnerships: Lead the development and management of international partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region for the delivery of international cooperation activities, through collaboration activities across the Commission.
• Partnerships and projects - identification, assessment, oversight and reporting: Provide strategic advice to the Commission Executive on potential projects and partnerships in alignment with the Commission Strategy and Workplan, including their corresponding resourcing models. Lead the development and sustainment of relationships with government, the private sector and civil society a to effectively position the Commission to identify opportunities and maintain strategic alliances.
• Workplace Community Education: Lead business development opportunities to enhance outreach and expansion of the Commission’s training and education programs. Oversee the Commission’s Workplace & Community Education function (external fee-for-service) to promote and develop opportunities for human rights education and training programs.
• Strategic Advice & Leadership: As part of the Commission's Senior Leadership Team, provide strategic leadership on Commission wide partnerships, external projects and initiatives. Lead high performing teams of multi-disciplinary professionals across all facets of human rights. Lead the design and implementation of a Project/Program Management Framework that provides visibility of the Project Portfolio ensuring leading practice in project/program management is incorporated into all Commission Projects and Partnerships.

What we’re looking for:

Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in international and domestic human rights law and policy, project management, external engagement, and capacity to show strategic leadership and provision of high-level advice.

Initiative: Demonstrated capacity for setting strategic direction, achieving outcomes, and developing capability in a human rights policy or similar context. Demonstrated proficiency in developing international, national or state policy, providing complex policy advice and delivering results on multiple large-scale projects with competing timelines.

Communication Skills: Exceptional communication skills including a demonstrated ability to communicate confidently, persuasively, sensitively and articulately, on matters relevant to the delivery of the Commission’s identified strategic priorities in a range of different settings and with varied stakeholders. Exceptional relationship management skills, with a capacity to ensure that various stakeholder interests, internationally and domestically, are recognised and managed positively and professionally.

Commitment: Dedication to delivering high-level comprehensive leadership, representation and management skills in a complex, sensitive and fast-moving environments, including leading teams, managing organisational risk, supporting senior leaders and/or statutory office holders, compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements and budget management.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position, your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

Notes

This role is available on a full-time basis and may be filled on a non-ongoing or ongoing basis. 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 Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

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.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Adrijana Palmer, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive via 02 9284 9600.

A position description is attached.