Job Description
Full job description
Location: Barton, ACT
Application Closing Date: Thursday 12 September 2026 by 11:30pm AEST
Classification
SES Band 2
Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing
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 an initial period of up to 12 months, with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years.
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.
Flexible Work
At PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of ‘how can we make this work?’ and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.
Who we are
The Information Services Division provides information and communication technology (ICT) and cyber, physical and personnel security support to the department, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), portfolio ministers, and our shared services agencies, and may take on additional responsibilities depending on structural arrangements.
The division sits within Governance and Corporate Group and works closely with other enabling divisions in the group, including the Corporate Division, Government Division, Cabinet Division and Ministerial Support Division.
What you will do
As First Assistant Secretary (FAS), you will be accountable for the strategic direction and operational management of the Information Services Division. This includes:
Delivering large scale, complex programs and projects.
Focusing on stabilising flexible working technology, and cyber and security risks for our systems and our people.
Enhancing digital leadership, including through streamlining the department’s approach to analytics and tools, and implementing fit-for-purpose systems and processes leveraging latest technology to deliver more robust and timely outcomes.
Provide authoritative advice to the Secretary, PMO and Ministers’ Offices, on cyber risk and security matters.
Provision of high quality services that can be complex and critical in nature, through strengthening and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office, and Cabinet Ministers.
Leading and providing strategic advice, direction, change management and planning for the department’s technology and information services to enable PM&C to be secure, modern, inclusive, responsive and resilient.
Ensuring a high quality offering to all of PM&C’s shared service entities and taskforces with a focus on continuous improvement.
Oversee the delivery of the department’s strategic, operational and technical IT and security objectives and strategies, including compliance with whole-of-government IT and security requirements.
Exceptional leadership, people management and governance skills including understanding of risk and innovative approaches to technology and information services delivery.
As FAS, you will report to the Deputy Secretary, Governance and Corporate Group / Chief Operating Officer.
What you will bring
Our ideal candidate will perform at the SES Band 2 level in accordance with the PM&C SES Band 2 Performance model and demonstrate the APS-wide DRIVE Leadership behaviours.
We are seeking an experienced, influential, and supportive leader to oversee the Information Services Division. This role provides an opportunity to strengthen and grow your leadership skills, taking on new challenges and a portfolio of work that is critical to supporting the department and our portfolio agencies.
Our ideal candidate will have:
Proven leadership capability, exhibiting judgement and professionalism.
Demonstrated experience working in a complex delivery environment and driving innovative solutions, with a strong focus on customer service culture.
Proven track record of leading organisational change and reform initiatives, while continuing to deliver on the operational requirements of the position.
ICT management experience including architecture, cyber, software development, applications delivery and operations in a rapidly changing technological context.
Experience and understanding of government decision making processes, relevant legislative frameworks and governance arrangements including the provision of shared services.
Strong communication and consultation skills to engage on complex issues at senior levels, including persuading and influencing outcomes to bring about change and encourage best practice and compliance.
Identified Position
This position has limited contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers, but is still required to have the capacity and willingness to further develop these skills. You will require capacity to attain cultural competency, including:
understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples,
ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and
willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.
Eligibility
Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1+++, 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 at the closing date of application, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
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.
Security Clearance Required
Negative Vetting Level 2 (Top Secret)
How to apply
Submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEST on Thursday 12 September 2026.
As part of your application you will need to provide:
Your resume (maximum three pages)
A ‘one page pitch’ telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level.
You are encouraged to refer to the Candidate Pack and the relevant classification level of the PM&C SES Performance Model to assist you in drafting your 500 word pitch.
You may also refer to the APSC resource Cracking the Code for further guidance and assistance on applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service.
Contact Officer
Martin Hehir on 02 6271 5046 or martin.hehir@pmc.gov.au
Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.
Location: Barton, ACT
Application Closing Date: Thursday 12 September 2026 by 11:30pm AEST
Classification
SES Band 2
Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing
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 an initial period of up to 12 months, with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years.
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.
Flexible Work
At PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of ‘how can we make this work?’ and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.
Who we are
The Information Services Division provides information and communication technology (ICT) and cyber, physical and personnel security support to the department, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), portfolio ministers, and our shared services agencies, and may take on additional responsibilities depending on structural arrangements.
The division sits within Governance and Corporate Group and works closely with other enabling divisions in the group, including the Corporate Division, Government Division, Cabinet Division and Ministerial Support Division.
What you will do
As First Assistant Secretary (FAS), you will be accountable for the strategic direction and operational management of the Information Services Division. This includes:
Delivering large scale, complex programs and projects.
Focusing on stabilising flexible working technology, and cyber and security risks for our systems and our people.
Enhancing digital leadership, including through streamlining the department’s approach to analytics and tools, and implementing fit-for-purpose systems and processes leveraging latest technology to deliver more robust and timely outcomes.
Provide authoritative advice to the Secretary, PMO and Ministers’ Offices, on cyber risk and security matters.
Provision of high quality services that can be complex and critical in nature, through strengthening and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office, and Cabinet Ministers.
Leading and providing strategic advice, direction, change management and planning for the department’s technology and information services to enable PM&C to be secure, modern, inclusive, responsive and resilient.
Ensuring a high quality offering to all of PM&C’s shared service entities and taskforces with a focus on continuous improvement.
Oversee the delivery of the department’s strategic, operational and technical IT and security objectives and strategies, including compliance with whole-of-government IT and security requirements.
Exceptional leadership, people management and governance skills including understanding of risk and innovative approaches to technology and information services delivery.
As FAS, you will report to the Deputy Secretary, Governance and Corporate Group / Chief Operating Officer.
What you will bring
Our ideal candidate will perform at the SES Band 2 level in accordance with the PM&C SES Band 2 Performance model and demonstrate the APS-wide DRIVE Leadership behaviours.
We are seeking an experienced, influential, and supportive leader to oversee the Information Services Division. This role provides an opportunity to strengthen and grow your leadership skills, taking on new challenges and a portfolio of work that is critical to supporting the department and our portfolio agencies.
Our ideal candidate will have:
Proven leadership capability, exhibiting judgement and professionalism.
Demonstrated experience working in a complex delivery environment and driving innovative solutions, with a strong focus on customer service culture.
Proven track record of leading organisational change and reform initiatives, while continuing to deliver on the operational requirements of the position.
ICT management experience including architecture, cyber, software development, applications delivery and operations in a rapidly changing technological context.
Experience and understanding of government decision making processes, relevant legislative frameworks and governance arrangements including the provision of shared services.
Strong communication and consultation skills to engage on complex issues at senior levels, including persuading and influencing outcomes to bring about change and encourage best practice and compliance.
Identified Position
This position has limited contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers, but is still required to have the capacity and willingness to further develop these skills. You will require capacity to attain cultural competency, including:
understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples,
ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and
willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.
Eligibility
Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1+++, 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 at the closing date of application, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
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.
Security Clearance Required
Negative Vetting Level 2 (Top Secret)
How to apply
Submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEST on Thursday 12 September 2026.
As part of your application you will need to provide:
Your resume (maximum three pages)
A ‘one page pitch’ telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level.
You are encouraged to refer to the Candidate Pack and the relevant classification level of the PM&C SES Performance Model to assist you in drafting your 500 word pitch.
You may also refer to the APSC resource Cracking the Code for further guidance and assistance on applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service.
Contact Officer
Martin Hehir on 02 6271 5046 or martin.hehir@pmc.gov.au
Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The First Assistant Secretary| Information Services position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Canberra offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.