The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

- Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
- Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
- Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
- Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
- Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

This position will work within the Chief Executive Office, a small specialist team providing centralised advice and support to the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team, President and Commissioners and the wider Commission in the development and achievement of strategy, planning, governance, reporting, knowledge management, evaluation and impact.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Officer to provide strategic leadership and expert advice to strengthen the Commission's governance, planning, performance reporting, knowledge management and organisational learning functions.

In this role, you will support the Chief Executive and Commission to meet statutory and organisational obligations through the management of governance frameworks, leading strategic planning, performance reporting and knowledge management approaches that support evidence-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

This full time, ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $121,755 - $133,986 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

The key duties of the position include:

What You’ll Do:

- Provide strategic leadership for the Commission's monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) function.
- Maintain and enhance governance, quality assurance and accountability frameworks to support compliance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), Accountable Authority Instructions and internal governance requirements.
- Lead the development, implementation and review of the Commission's strategic planning reporting and performance measurement frameworks.
- Coordinate organisation-wide planning processes, consultation and engagement with Commission staff to ensure alignment between strategic priorities, team workplans and performance reporting.




- Lead the development and continuous improvement of organisational performance and learning frameworks to support accountability, evidence-informed decision-making and organisational effectiveness.
- Provide technical assistance to leadership regarding strategic planning, data collection, instrument development, analysis and reporting before, during and at the conclusion of Commission policy projects.
- Promote internal collaboration and knowledge sharing through defining, supporting and encouraging the use of knowledge to support organisational learning.
- Work closely with Senior Executives and the Strategic Communications team to leverage data analytics to assess and demonstrate the impact, engagement, functionality and effectiveness of Commission outcomes, partnerships, and outputs.
- Monitor and advise on emerging developments, policies and good practice in performance measurement and public sector accountability.

Eligibility

What We’re Looking For:

- Demonstrated high level understanding of, and experience in governance, strategic planning and performance reporting within a public sector or comparable environment.
- Sound understanding of legislative and policy frameworks relevant to public sector governance and performance management, including the PGPA Act and associated guidance.
- Highly developed analytical skills, including the ability to analyse organisational data, performance information and reporting metrics.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership in a complex environment and contribute to organisational direction, capability and performance.
- Demonstrated project management skills including the ability to manage competing priorities, allocate resources effectively and deliver high-quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
- Exceptional relationship management skills, with a capacity to ensure that various stakeholder interests are recognised and managed positively and professionally.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate confidently, persuasively, sensitively and articulately.
- Qualifications, professional accreditation or equivalent experience in public policy, public administration, governance, project management, risk management, evaluation or knowledge management would be highly desirable.

Notes

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team,



you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Applications close: 5pm 30 October 2026 AEDT

Notes

We value inclusivity and diversity 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, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). An Agency Head may waive the requirement for citizenship prior to engaging an individual where it is appropriate to do so.

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.

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 be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position(s), 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.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Louise Wheeler, Senior Officer, Evaluation via **************@humanrights.gov.au.

📌 Senior Officer – Governance and Performance (Sydney)
🏢 Australian Human Rights Commission
📍 Sydney