Job Description
\nOur mission is to uphold and promote Australia\u2019s privacy and freedom of information laws. Working within a small and agile agency, you will take on a range of work as part of a collaborative team to progress privacy and access to information issues. You will be expected to forge strong working relationships within government and across regulated entities as we pursue a wide-ranging regulatory remit.<\/p>\n
About the Roles
\nThe Freedom of Information Branch works as a team to administer the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in a way which:<\/p>\n
best assists members of the public to realise their rights under the Act to access information
\nbest assists Commonwealth agencies and ministers to meet their obligations under the Act to provide access to information
\nresults in resolution of matters arising under the Act in the most efficient and timely manner having regard to our available resources.
\nOur Review Advisers\u2019 work is primarily focused on assisting the Australian Information Commissioner and Freedom of Information Commissioner to conduct external review of agencies and ministers\u2019 decisions under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and investigating agency actions under the FOI Act. <\/p>\n
Review Advisers may be placed in one of the following Freedom of Information Branch teams: <\/p>\n
Intake and Early Resolution, to assist with leading early intervention or resolution of reviews and complaints, production of documents and making decisions on extension of time applications
\nReviews and Investigations (Assistant Director), to undertake case management and drafting of administrative decisions for Commissioner\/delegate approval
\nSignificant Decisions (Senior Review Advisers), to draft administrative decisions for Commissioner approval.
\nThe work you may undertake includes:<\/p>\n
working with parties to attempt to resolve Information Commissioner reviews or FOI complaints, including through early triage, intervention or through issuing of preliminary views to parties
\npreparing correspondence, briefs, notices and recommendations and making or drafting administrative decisions in relation to IC review applications or complaints under the FOI Act
\nproviding written and oral advice on the application of the FOI Act and associated legislation including preparing detailed correspondence, reports and other relevant documentation, and responding to FOI enquiries from agencies, Ministers and members of the public
\ncontributing to the development of policy and office procedures
\nassisting with the development of FOI guidance
\ncontributing to team and section performance objectives as outlined in the Branch Plan
\nrepresenting the OAIC at external meetings, conferences and forums.
\nTHE KEY DUTIES OF THE POSITION INCLUDE:
\nJob Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience
\nWe are seeking highly motivated individuals who enjoy working both independently and, in a team, are driven and outcomes focussed. <\/p>\n
We are seeking applications from candidates with the following:<\/p>\n
excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively by telephone, write clearly and deal with a diverse range of people
\nexcellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and the experience with drafting administrative review decisions and\/or drafting legal advice
\nexperience in managing a high-volume case load under limited direction
\nknowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the FOI Act and experience in merits review\/administrative law processes.
\nTo review the full list of job specific capabilities, skills and experience, please visit the OAIC website and review the downloadable candidate information pack by clicking the ‘apply now’ button. <\/p>\n
How to Apply <\/p>\n
Visit the OAIC website by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button to review the downloadable candidate information pack.
\nPlease complete the application sheet (located within the candidate information pack) as part of your application.
\nYou are asked to provide a one-page-pitch addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your pitch should include the use of practical and professional examples as relevant to the role and the job specific capabilities, skills and experience outlined in the job pack available on the OAIC website.
\nYour application form, CV page should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.
\nPlease ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number which is OAIC-2023-024.
\nELIGIBILITY
\nSection 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens.
\nThere are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.
\nFor the duration of your employment with the OAIC you will be required to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 and meet required background, identification and character checks.
\nNote: All duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and OAIC policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.
\nNOTES
\nPosition Location
\nThe OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance. Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD, we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia. <\/p>\n
The OAIC values face-to-face interaction and fostering connection between our people and with our stakeholders. The OAIC\u2019s hybrid work model expects in office attendance when the type of work or task is better suited to being completed from an office, for example staff inductions and onboarding, planning days, relationship building activities and project or collaborative work.<\/p>\n
Diversity & Inclusion
\nThe OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.<\/p>\n
Review Adviser, Freedom of Information In UK ID-209<\/p>\n