2021 APS Secondments | Expressions of Interest Now Open

Thank you to those who contributed to the recent review of the ANU National Security College (NSC) undertaken by Nous Group. It is now complete and has been provided to stakeholder Commonwealth agencies, to guide pending decisions about the future directions of the College as we enter our second decade of advancing the national interest.

In conjunction with the review process, NSC is seeking to refresh and rebalance the range of APS secondments we offer. This opens a range of new opportunities, which I encourage you to consider. We are open to expressions of interest for the following.

1. Full-time Leadership Roles

We seek high-performing SES Band 1 and EL2 officials to fill strategic leadership positions at the NSC in 2021. Applicants must have the flexibility, initiative and drive to support me in reshaping the mission of the College, in line with future expectations from SCNS.

Experience should be demonstrated in one or more of the following areas: management of a cross-agency process, policy development, parliamentary or community engagement, futures analysis, training needs analysis, business development, executive governance and change management. We anticipate funding at least three APS positions within the College’s leadership team, including the potential to create a crucial new role of Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Head of NSC.

Commencement dates can be staggered across 2021 subject to individual availability and agency requirements. The term of each leadership secondment would be negotiated, typically for a minimum of 12 months and maximum of 24 months. The positions are fully funded by NSC with salary expenses reimbursed to the individual’s home agency.

EOIs for these full-time leadership roles should be submitted to NSC by COB 30 November 2020.

Applications should be sent to EA.Head.NSC@anu.edu.au and include:

– an EOI from the individual of no more than 2 pages addressing their skillset, track record and capacity to contribute to the NSC;

– a CV and details of two referees; and

– an email outlining delegate support for their application from their agency.

2. Part-time Planning and Analysis Roles

We will be discussing with some agencies the possibility of policy planning or analysis teams designating ‘shared positions’ with the NSC. This model could involve creating a pool of APS 6, EL1 and EL2 officers who work 3 days per week in their agency and 2 days per week at the College. Such an arrangement would be aimed at creating a continuous conversation between agencies and the College, ensuring that our contribution on futures and policy analysis can more directly feed into APS capability and agency priorities.
The duration and specifics of each such secondment would be negotiated with the relevant officer and agency. The positions would be part-funded by NSC with salary expenses for the days worked at the College reimbursed to the individual’s home agency.

EOIs for these part-time roles should be submitted to NSC by COB 7 December 2020.

Applications should be sent to EA.Head.NSC@anu.edu.au and include either:

From an agency delegate

Advice that they would be willing to consider establishing a ‘shared position’ with NSC as part of their team structure; or

From an individual

– an EOI from the individual of no more than 2 pages addressing their skillset and capacity to contribute to the NSC;

– a CV and details of two referees; and

– an email outlining delegate support for their application from their agency, subject to suitable arrangements being established with the agency.

3. Teaching Opportunities

We are introducing a new curriculum for our Master of National Security Policy degree in 2021. This includes building stronger teaching partnerships between ANU academics and experienced policy practitioners. Details on courses within the degree can be reviewed here.

We are seeking to update our Teaching Register for members of the national security community who would like to be considered for teaching or guest lecturing opportunities within the degree. Doctoral qualifications will be highly valued, although policy experience will also be an important consideration.

Joining our Teaching Register does not involve a specific commitment, but begins a discussion with the College about options for teaching into our courses, which could range from a formal secondment to occasional guest lectures.

EOIs for the Teaching Register should be submitted to NSC by COB 7 December 2020.

Applications should be sent to EA.Head.NSC@anu.edu.au and include:

– an EOI from the individual of no more than 1 page addressing their skillset and capacity to contribute to the NSC degree offerings; and

– a CV and details of two referees.

4. Short Personal Development Placements

In 2021 we aim to develop and fund a prestigious new ‘APS Fellowship’ scheme at the College. This would involve short APS placements, for APS 6 to SES officials, which principally focus on giving an individual new professional and personal perspectives, developing subject matter expertise and building broader networks across and beyond the national security community. This could involve some combination of research, teaching, or facilitation of a policy, futures, or dialogue project. There would be a competitive process and each placement, of between three and 12 months, would be tailored to advance the individual’s APS career path.

EOIs for these roles are not being sought at this time, but we would encourage interested individuals to start a conversation with their supervisor on how a short placement at NSC could add to their career goals.

For further clarification on any of the opportunities outlined above, please email EA.Head.NSC@anu.edu.au.