Applications for this position close at 11.30pm ADST on Sunday 25 October 2026

The Opportunity

The Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) offers the opportunity to contribute to work of national and international significance. Our people operate at the intersection of policy, regulation and technical expertise - supporting Australia’s non-proliferation treaty obligations, maintaining robust regulatory frameworks, and helping shape international approaches to non‑proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons.

As Assistant Secretary – Nuclear Regulation, Strategy and Technology, you will lead a branch responsible for ensuring ASNO remains a fit-for-purpose regulator. You will lead the design and implementation of regulatory governance and management arrangements that are consistent with the Director General’s statutory obligations and strategic vision, Australia’s international non-proliferation treaty obligations, and government policy, whilst also protecting and enhancing ASNO’s organisational capabilities and reputation.

You will be responsible for ASNO’s safeguards research and development program, Verify, and provide executive oversight of Australia’s implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), including Australia’s International Monitoring System (IMS) and National Data Centre (NDC).

The position requires an executive who can lead change, manage ambiguity and drive performance as ASNO continues to grow and evolve in response to the regulatory and policy environment.

For further information, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack at DFAT Careers.

The key duties of the position include:

Your roles and responsibilities will be aligned to the SES Band 1 Work level standards and the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours.

Your key duties will include:

- Setting the strategic direction for the Nuclear Regulation, Strategy and Technology Branch and aligning its work with ASNO’s strategic priorities.
- Leading ASNO’s governance and management frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure it remains a sustainable, effective, credible and independent scientific and technical regulator, including through compliance, enforcement, risk,



performance and assurance arrangements.
- Leading the delivery of ASNO’s research and development program, Verify, ensuring strategic focus and sound governance to meet the objectives of improving safeguarding verification technologies and Australia’s sovereign safeguard responsibilities.
- Ensuring that Australia continues to meet its CTBT obligations and effective management of the IMS and NDC.
- Leading corporate and statutory reporting, business planning, workforce planning and resource management for ASNO and in support of regulatory delivery areas.
- Leading ASNO’s strategic communications and engagement functions to continue to build and retain ASNO’s reputation as a trusted, equitable, collaborative and knowledgeable partner.
- Representing ASNO’s interests domestically and internationally.
- Leading ASNO through change, while fostering ASNO’s positive culture, strong sense of purpose and commitment to non-proliferation.

All employees of the department are expected to abide by the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.

SES employees at DFAT are held to a high standard of personal behaviour, are viewed as role models of integrity and professional conduct and expected to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism. SES employees have a responsibility to promote the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Our Ideal Candidate

This role will require a self-motivated, agile, and strategic thinker to build relationships in a diverse and complex workplace. As a leader you will contribute to, and communicate, strategic direction while developing trust and building the capability of your branch.

In addition to strong leadership capabilities, you will have a proven track record of delivering high-quality outcomes in diverse and complex environments, achieved through:





- broad experience in the provision of providing expert, evidence-based policy advice, and leading on policy development,
- ability to operate in complex and diverse environments autonomously based on broad agency objectives,
- excellent inter-personal skills, sound judgement and stakeholder engagements skills,
- demonstrated experience in preparing briefs and advice to Senior Executives or Ministers within broad policy parameters,
- demonstrated expertise in managing organisational change to deliver new capabilities across regulatory, operational and corporate areas,
- demonstrated experience in delivery of research and technology development program management,
- demonstrated capability and experience in acquiring and managing human and financial resources through government processes, including through ministerial and interagency engagement.

Experience in non-proliferation and or regulation would be highly desirable.

We value people who are motivated by purpose, comfortable in a highly specialised environment, and bring curiosity to complex and evolving challenges. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and high‑performing workplace, recognising the value of diverse skills, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and background will lead to a better environment for our employees and better outcomes for Australia. We support our staff through targeted training and education to ensure they have the skills and knowledge required to perform their roles effectively.

Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people with disability are highly encouraged because your diverse experience, perspectives, and background strengthens our service delivery, productivity, capability, and innovation.

Eligibility

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.

Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).

📌 Assistant Secretary - Nuclear Regulation, Strategy and Technology (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
📍 Canberra