Senior Security Adviser, Enterprise Technology and Security Branch

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet NZ – Canberra ACT

The Security Operations Team provides a business enabling function supporting the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C;) to manage protective security. The team ensures the department, the Prime Minister’s Office, our portfolio ministers and shared services agencies objectives can be achieved without loss, harm, disruption or damage to our people, information, assets and reputation. This includes the management of personnel and physical security, COMSO services, the department’s Insider Threat Program and security project management.

What you will do

The Senior Security Adviser plays an essential role in the delivery of protective security services. They lead and manage the personnel security team and support day-to day protective security operations.

The Senior Security Adviser will lead the security team’s administrative responsibilities. This includes reporting, undertaking reviews, rostering of personnel security team, task allocation and procurement activities.

We are looking for applicants with experience in implementing security best practice, thinking critically and effectively communicating with a broad audience. This includes a basic understanding of risk standards, effective written and verbal communication skills and a strong understanding of contemporary challenges within security.

Under general direction, the main duties of the role are:

- Lead and manage a small team in personnel security to coordinate and support the security clearance process across PM&C; and our portfolio agencies.
- Deliver high quality administrative and office support, including rostering and client service at the security office.
- Liaise and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Prepare and provide advice to stakeholders at all levels on a range of personnel security matters.
- Interpret and implement Protective Security arrangements based on guidance from the PSPF.
- Review and develop personnel security policies as required.
- Lead the implementation of approved security controls and procedures.
- Deliver and facilitate security awareness training sessions for the department and our portfolio agencies.
- Perform other ad-hoc duties as directed.

The role may be required to perform an out of hours on-call function.

Who we are

The Security Operations Team provides a business enabling function supporting the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C;) to manage protective security. The team ensures the department, the Prime Minister’s Office, our portfolio ministers and shared services agencies objectives can be achieved without loss, harm, disruption or damage to our people, information, assets and reputation. This includes the management of personnel and physical security, COMSO services, the department’s Insider Threat Program and security project management.

What you will do





The Senior Security Adviser plays an essential role in the delivery of protective security services. They lead and manage the personnel security team and support day-to day protective security operations.

The Senior Security Adviser will lead the security team’s administrative responsibilities. This includes reporting, undertaking reviews, rostering of personnel security team, task allocation and procurement activities.

We are looking for applicants with experience in implementing security best practice, thinking critically and effectively communicating with a broad audience. This includes a basic understanding of risk standards, effective written and verbal communication skills and a strong understanding of contemporary challenges within security.

Under general direction, the main duties of the role are:

- Lead and manage a small team in personnel security to coordinate and support the security clearance process across PM&C; and our portfolio agencies.
- Deliver high quality administrative and office support, including rostering and client service at the security office.
- Liaise and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Prepare and provide advice to stakeholders at all levels on a range of personnel security matters.
- Interpret and implement Protective Security arrangements based on guidance from the PSPF.
- Review and develop personnel security policies as required.
- Lead the implementation of approved security controls and procedures.
- Deliver and facilitate security awareness training sessions for the department and our portfolio agencies.
- Perform other ad-hoc duties as directed.

The role may be required to perform an out of hours on-call function.

The key duties of the position include:

We are looking for applicants with experience in implementing security best practice, thinking critically and effectively communicating with a broad audience.

Our ideal candidate will perform at the APS6 level in accordance with the PM&C; Performance model and will bring:

- Strong analytical skills with ability to exercise sound judgement and make risk-based decisions on personnel security matters.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with ability to provide clear advice to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship building capabilities, with the ability to build trust and influence outcomes.
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience responding professionally to sensitive enquiries while maintaining discretion and confidentiality.
- Understanding of contemporary challenges within personnel security.

Certificate IV in Government Security (Security Vetting or Personnel Security),



other qualifications, and/or demonstrated experience in training and assessment will be highly regarded, but not essential.

In line with our dedication to an inclusive and protected workplace culture we are seeking candidates who are respectful of people’s unique differences, backgrounds and cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture) particularly when communicating and working together.

Eligibility

- 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.

Notes

Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for a period 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.

Getting to know the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C;) advances Australia’s national interests through high quality support to the Prime Minister and the operations of Cabinet.PM&C; supports the Prime Minister as leader of the Government and of Cabinet and as leader of the country. This positions us both to provide visibility of Government priorities and influence outcomes across all Commonwealth portfolios, state jurisdictions, the Australian Public Service (APS) as an institution, and on the international stage.Our role is to provide fresh thinking and creative advice to government as stewards for the APS. We contribute ideas on the many and varied issues facing Australia, taking into consideration the views and opinions of a range of stakeholders across the private, public, not-for-profit and community sectors.The PM&C; team provides pragmatic advice and finds solutions to problems so that Government policies can be effectively designed and implemented. We give particular weight to issues that are important to the Prime Minister.Our focus, put in its simplest terms, is to find new ways to improve the lives of all Australians.

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📌 Senior Security Adviser, Enterprise Technology and Security Branch (Canberra)
🏢 Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet NZ
📍 Canberra