Who we are The Protocol and International Visits Branch is responsible for administering the state occasions and official visits program in a manner which enhances Australia’s international relationships, the image of Australia and the Australian Government. The principal activity of the branch is to manage, coordinate and deliver complex arrangements for a range of events, ceremonial occasions and visits. The branch collaborates with the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General, Prime Minister's Office, Ministers' offices, diplomatic representatives, other Commonwealth departments and state and territory governments.

What you will do

All roles are based in Canberra where you will lead a team responsible for the branch’s principal activities for PM&C.; Responsibilities of all roles include:

- Leading a diverse team of up to ten staff to deliver high-quality output that supports the work of the Protocol and International Visits Branch
- Being a key member of the PIV leadership team, working both independently and in partnership to deliver outcomes
- Building team capacity through coaching and mentoring, ongoing performance feedback, creating opportunities to ‘stretch’ team members, encouraging them to engage in continuous learning and supporting them to succeed
- Representing the Department and undertaking high-level and intercultural liaison and negotiation
- Anticipating, developing and managing key strategic relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
- Anticipating and instigating the delivery of services by implementing policies, procedures and systems to meet the needs of principal stakeholders
- Providing strategic advice on complex briefs and correspondence including parliamentary questions on notice, FOI requests, ministerial briefs and general correspondence of a sensitive nature.

In addition to the above, specific roles will be responsible for the following:

Director of Protocol

- Leading a team to plan, manage and coordinate all arrangements related to:
- High-Level Guest of Government visits to Australia
- Prime Minister’s overseas visits
- National and official events, including meetings, hospitality, ceremonial occasions, state funeral and memorial services and other official events





- Providing strategic advice for the Prime Minister and the departmental executive on matters relating to official visits and state occasions
- Providing protocol advice regarding Commonwealth Protocol Standards.

Director of Planning and Administration

- Leading a team responsible for the planning, management and coordination of the corporate and administrative support functions for PIV to ensure a high level of service to PIV and its stakeholders
- Overseeing the development and management of the Prime Minister’s international engagements forward work program
- Managing the provision of high level financial and administrative support to PIV to ensure compliance with finance, contract, parliamentary and corporate reporting requirements such as the Annual Report
- Managing the Department’s contract for the ‘Provision of Gifts for Official Presentation’ and other contracts as appropriate.

What you will bring

These roles will involve working in a variety of interesting, dynamic and often high-profile environments where you will work independently and lead a team.

You will need to

- Integrate credible expertise and an understanding of government in all contexts
- Foster an open, transparent and honest working environment
- Maintain a strong working relationship with the Prime Minister’s Office
- Represent the Department at high level meetings and provide detailed briefings to Executive
- Lead through partnerships and remain flexible and responsive in times of change
- Manage a broad range of activities, related to different and at times competing program areas
- Display leadership qualities that encourage and motivate others to learn and develop
- Anticipate and instigate opportunities for operational improvement
- Seek constructive feedback and conduct high-quality performance conversations
- Create a positive team environment where people feel supported and confident
- Demonstrate maturity, confidence and high-level leadership and organisational skills, including drive,



flexibility and attention to detail in leading work that is very complex and/or sensitive
- Remain professional while working under pressure, displaying resilience and steering change by dealing with uncertainty in a positive and flexible manner
- Challenge assumptions and generate new ideas, approaches and strategies
- Demonstrated personal qualities of integrity, discretion and sound judgement
- Understand cultural sensitives and value individual differences and diversity to enhance relationships and outcomes.

These roles will involve extended and diverse work times. A willingness to work outside core hours when required, and travel interstate and overseas at short notice is essential. Where additional hours are completed outside of PM&C;’s ordinary hours of work, employees will be compensated through the Department’s time off in lieu or overtime provisions.

- Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At PM&C; to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen by the completion of the recruitment process, except under exceptional circumstances.
- The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
- The successful candidate will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS or has not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.

Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for a period of up to 24 months)

This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the PM&C; delegate.

Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for a maximum period of two (2) years. If the initial contract is for less than 2 years, it may be extended or renewed once, up to the 2 year limit.

A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.

📌 Director of Protocol, Director of Planning and Administration, Protocol and International Visits (Canberra)
🏢 Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
📍 Canberra