The National Emergency Management Agency's work has a real impact on the lives of Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional areas.

The National Emergency Management Agency's guiding principle is “Locally led, locally understood and locally implemented” and we bring together local communities, government, non-government and key industry representatives to support disaster recovery and resilience across the country. Your work will help people who are recovering from natural disasters and prepare them for the future.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established on 1 September 2022 as a single, accountable Commonwealth authority that delivers a whole-of-nation approach to reducing disaster risk, planning, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all hazards across the emergency management continuum.

NEMA works closely with states and territories to deliver the best outcome for communities across Australia. To help communities respond and recover, while preparing Australia for future emergencies, we:

- Fund programs and initiatives, big and small, that help communities in times of emergency, as well as to recover and prepare, including through disaster recovery funding and the Disaster Ready Fund to help reduce the risk and impact of disasters
- Have officers located across Australia, working in partnership with states and territories to support disaster-affected communities to collectively build resilience, reduce risk and harm, and effectively respond to and recover from disasters
- Provide national leadership to share knowledge, situational awareness, and trends in disaster efforts to inform, guide and shape the national picture and decision-making at the Commonwealth, state and local Government level – including through policy development and strategy to improve risk reduction, resilience and recovery
- Provide round-the-clock all-hazards monitoring and operational coordination for domestic and international emergencies, including supply chain disruptions, critical infrastructure outages, biosecurity risks and widespread cyber-attacks, and through supporting preparedness and response activities, including through the operationalisation of the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework.

For further information on NEMA’s purpose, vision and values, please see the NEMA website.

Overview of the branch and section The National Capability Branch plays a key role in strengthening Australia’s preparedness for and response to emergencies and disasters. The branch delivers programs and initiatives that enhance national capability, operational readiness and resilience across the emergency management sector.

The branch brings together expertise in national preparedness, emergency management capability development, exercising, lessons management, training and operational readiness. Through strong partnership with Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry and non-government organisations, the branch drives a coordinated approach to building, enhancing, and sustaining Australia’s emergency management capability.

The National Crisis Exercising and Lessons Capability Section (NCEC) designs and delivers the National Crisis Exercise Program which consists of conceptualising,



designing and conducting two national level exercises each calendar year. These exercises explore severe or novel hazards (natural and human induced) to ensure Australia is prepared to respond to and recover from events of national significance.

NCEC supports continuous improvement through conducting lesson management processes. Using Observations/Insights/Lessons Identified/Lessons Learned (OILL) methodology, the section collects, analyses and develops insights. During national significant events, NCEC works with Australian Government, state and territory agencies and industry to identify opportunities for improvement with the aim of reducing harm and enhance organisational capabilities.

NCEC delivers a suite of capability uplift programs to build and uplift national exercise and lessons competence. These programs include training courses and workshops which are delivered across Australia. NCEC facilitates OILL workshops through in-house capabilities and collaborates with external providers to design and deliver training courses.

About the role The Senior Exercise and Lessons Officer supports the design and delivery of national-level exercises and lessons management processes including identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. The position undertakes a diverse range of responsibilities, including project management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

The role provides an opportunity to build knowledge of Australia’s crisis and emergency response and recovery arrangements while supporting effective exercise and lessons management. Through the application of project management skills, the role contributes to the development and delivery of multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency exercises. Occasional domestic travel may be required as part of this role.

The role may be required to support other Emergency Management and Response Group functions, including the Crisis Coordination Team. At times staff within NEMA may be required to work outside of standard business hours, particularly during the higher risk weather season.

Our ideal candidate

NEMA is seeking candidates with strong strategic thinking skills, the ability to see the bigger picture, and the capability to develop practical solutions to complex problems.

NCEC works with government, industry and non-government stakeholders to design and deliver exercises, lessons management activities, and capability development initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.

They will be resilient, adaptable, and responsive, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and focused on achieving outcomes in a dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate will be committed to supporting Australian communities through strengthened preparedness, effective emergency management arrangements,



and continuous improvement across the emergency management sector. They will be an effective communicator, adapt their communication style to different audiences and ensure stakeholders understand project objectives, progress and outcomes.

We encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age people and people from other diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a working environment that values diversity and inclusion and supports staff to reach their full potential.

- Build and maintain productive relationships across Commonwealth, state and territory and industry stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and support national preparedness and resilience outcomes
- Provide advice and coordinate the development of exercise and lessons management products informed by analysis, stakeholder consultation and organisational priorities
- Use sound judgement and autonomy to manage competing priorities, resolve issues and deliver complex activities on time and to a high standard
- Collaborate across the team and build productive stakeholder relationships to support organisational outcomes and continuous improvement
- Lead planning, coordination and project delivery activities, including resource allocation, risk management and performance monitoring to support section and branch objectives
- Prepare and quality assure briefs, submissions, reports and correspondence, providing clear advice and recommendations to senior leaders and decision-makers.

Role requirements/qualifications

- Experience in exercise and lessons management or knowledge of emergency management is desirable
- Experience managing complex projects or delivering events is desirable
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate consistent documentation
- Solid project management and or highly developed organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
- Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with a solutions-focused approach
- Ability to work independently, take responsibility for outcomes and support the development of junior team members
- Demonstrated self-motivated approach and demonstrated initiative.

To be eligible to work with the NEMA you must:
- Be an Australian Citizen
- Fulfil the Agency's minimum requirements by satisfactorily answering all screening questions during the application process and successfully undergo a National Police Check
- Obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (AGSVA) security clearance
- Satisfy a probation period (if applicable)
- Undergo a health assessment (if applicable).

The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

If you have identified as having a disability, please indicate whether you require any support throughout the selection process. For further information please contact [email protected].

📌 NEMA Senior Exercise and Lessons Officer (Australian Capital Territory)
🏢 National Emergency Management Agency
📍 Australian Capital Territory