Our mission is to uphold and promote Australias privacy and freedom of information laws. Working within a small and agile agency, you will take on a range of work as part of a collaborative team to progress privacy and access to information issues. You will be expected to forge strong working relationships within government and across regulated entities as we pursue a wide-ranging regulatory remit.
About the Roles
The Freedom of Information Branch works as a team to administer the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in a way which:
- best assists members of the public to realise their rights under the Act to access information
- best assists Commonwealth agencies and ministers to meet their obligations under the Act to provide access to information
- results in resolution of matters arising under the Act in the most efficient and timely manner having regard to our available resources.
Our Review Advisers work is primarily focused on assisting the Australian Information Commissioner and Freedom of Information Commissioner to conduct external review of agencies and ministers decisions under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and investigating agency actions under the FOI Act.
Review Advisers may be placed in one of the following Freedom of Information Branch teams:
- Intake and Early Resolution, to assist with leading early intervention or resolution of reviews and complaints, production of documents and making decisions on extension of time applications
- Reviews and Investigations (Assistant Director), to undertake case management and drafting of administrative decisions for Commissioner/delegate approval
- Significant Decisions (Senior Review Advisers), to draft administrative decisions for Commissioner approval.
The work you may undertake includes:
- working with parties to attempt to resolve Information Commissioner reviews or FOI complaints, including through early triage, intervention or through issuing of preliminary views to parties
- preparing correspondence, briefs, notices and recommendations and making or drafting administrative decisions in relation to IC review applications or complaints under the FOI Act
- providing written and oral advice on the application of the FOI Act and associated legislation including preparing detailed correspondence, reports and other relevant documentation, and responding to FOI enquiries from agencies, Ministers and members of the public
- contributing to the development of policy and office procedures
- assisting with the development of FOI guidance
- contributing to team and section performance objectives as outlined in the Branch Plan
- representing the OAIC at external meetings, conferences and forums.
The key duties of the position include:
Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience
We are seeking highly motivated individuals who enjoy working both independently and, in a team, are driven and outcomes focussed.
We are seeking applications from candidates with the following:
- excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively by telephone, write clearly and deal with a diverse range of people
- excellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and the experience with drafting administrative review decisions and/or drafting legal advice
- experience in managing a high-volume case load under limited direction
- knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the FOI Act and experience in merits review/administrative law processes.
To review the full list of job specific capabilities, skills and experience, please visit the OAIC website and review the downloadable candidate information pack by clicking the 'apply now' button.
How to Apply
- Visit the OAIC website by clicking the 'Apply now' button to review the downloadable candidate information pack.
- Please complete the application sheet (located within the candidate information pack) as part of your application.
- You are asked to provide a one-page-pitch addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your pitch should include the use of practical and professional examples as relevant to the role and the job specific capabilities, skills and experience outlined in the job pack available on the OAIC website.
- Your application form, CV page should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: [email protected].
- Please ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number which is OAIC-2023-024.
Eligibility
- Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens.
- There are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.
- For the duration of your employment with the OAIC you will be required to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 and meet required background, identification and character checks.
- Note: All duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and OAIC policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.
Notes
Position Location
The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance. Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD, we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia.
The OAIC values face-to-face interaction and fostering connection between our people and with our stakeholders. The OAICs hybrid work model expects in office attendance when the type of work or task is better suited to being completed from an office, for example staff inductions and onboarding, planning days, relationship building activities and project or collaborative work.
Diversity & Inclusion
The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.