- Senior Executive Service Band 2
- Canberra, ACT

About the Department of Education

We contribute to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning.

The Role

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference? Are you passionate about the role international education and research play in shaping Australia's future? Can you see opportunities to strengthen one of Australia's most significant export sectors while advancing our economic, social and strategic interests?

As the First Assistant Secretary, International and Research Division (SES Band 2) at the Department of Education, you will lead a diverse and high-performing team responsible for advancing Australia's international education and research interests through policy leadership, strategic partnerships and system stewardship. In this role, you will work closely across Commonwealth agencies to drive a complex and high-profile agenda that encompasses policy and regulatory reform, international and domestic stakeholder engagement, sector integrity, and data and analytical capability.

This is a unique opportunity to influence outcomes at the intersection of education, foreign policy, migration, trade, economic prosperity, resilience and national security. Working closely with Ministers, international partners and sector leaders, you will help ensure Australia's international education sector remains high quality, sustainable, trusted and aligned with the national interest, while strengthening Australia's research and innovation capabilities,



and advancing Australia's reputation as a trusted global partner in education and research.

Duties and Responsibilities In this role, you will be responsible for the following:

- Leading the Division's policy, regulatory, international engagement and strategic reform agenda to deliver innovative solutions to whole-of-Government priorities.
- Providing strategic advice to Ministers, ministerial offices, and the department’s Executive on complex, high-profile and sensitive issues.
- Overseeing Australia's international education policy framework, including stewardship of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework and associated regulatory reforms.
- Driving initiatives that strengthen the quality, integrity, sustainability and global competitiveness of Australia's international education sector, including development of an International Education and Skills Strategic Framework.
- Providing strategic leadership across the Department’s research and innovation agenda, including on research security, strategic investments and partnerships that strengthen Australia's capability, competitiveness and national interests.
- Leading engagement and negotiations with government agencies, education providers, peak bodies, international organisations and foreign governments.




- Maintaining oversight of the Tuition Protection Service for international students and eligible domestic students.
- Building organisational capability and fostering a high-performing, inclusive and team-oriented culture across a geographically dispersed workforce.

How to Apply To apply for this position, please submit your application in our online recruitment system. You will need to:

- Provide a summary (no more than 750 words) that outlines your skills, knowledge, and experience and why you should be considered for this vacancy. You should take into consideration the position overview (including any detailed position specific requirements) when drafting your response. Where possible include specific relevant examples of your work.
- Upload your Resume
- Provide contact details for 2 Referees.

The APS work level standards are structured to clearly differentiate between the work expected (i.e. responsibilities and duties) at each classification level. We encourage you to review these when writing your application.

Eligibility

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it.

Security Clearance - our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance.

Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role. How to apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service (APSC Guide) Opens in new window

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📌 First Assistant Secretary, International and Research (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Government
📍 Canberra