- Location: Canberra, ACT
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Application Closing Date: Monday 20-Jul-2026 at 11:30pm AEST
Classification
SES Band 2
Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for a period of 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.
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.
About the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission
The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) provides independent oversight and evidence-based advice to government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members.
The Australian Government established the DVSC as a new non-corporate Commonwealth Entity (NCE) on 29 September 2025 in response to the key recommendation of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Key functions of the DVSC include:
- monitoring, inquiring and reporting on issues relevant to suicide and suicidality for serving and ex-serving ADF members
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monitoring, inquiring and reporting on the implementation of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission
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improving supports for serving and ex-serving ADF members
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working with coroners to understand issues contributing to Defence and veteran deaths by suicide, and
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promoting an understanding of suicide risks and wellbeing for Defence members and veterans, including through engaging with people with lived experience.
The DVSC has a wide range of powers akin to those of a Royal Commission to undertake special inquiries – including conducting public and private hearings, summonsing people to give evidence under oath or affirmation, search warrants and notices to produce information.
Working at the DVSC
You have an opportunity to join us now where your expertise can help influence and shape our strategy in support of the Commissioner’s independent oversight of wide-ranging reforms across the Defence and veteran ecosystem.
A key focus of the DVSC’s work is the prevention of suicide and suicidality. While the DVSC has a proactive wellbeing program, applicants are encouraged to consider their personal circumstances when applying for this role. Applicants can familiarise themselves with the findings and recommendations of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide for further information.
The DVSC is an independent agency currently physically located in Canberra, within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under a shared service arrangement. While we transition our employment framework, the successful candidate may be on-boarded via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and subsequently transitioned to the DVSC.
About the Role
As Deputy Commissioner you will working closely with the Commissioner to provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to the Australian Government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. You will play a key role in the strategic leadership of DVSC and have day-today management of two SES Band 1 Assistant Commissioners – the Assistant Commissioner Oversight & Engagement and the Assistant Commissioner Inquiries & Legal – and the corporate functions of the DVSC.
As Deputy Commissioner you will have the unique responsibility for overseeing the operational, legal, and corporate functions of DVSC whilst also representing the Commissioner and acting as Commissioner in their absence as required.
The successful candidate will be an outstanding leader with extensive experience at the senior executive level carrying out functions in a sensitive, complex, and public facing environment. This role requires exceptional leadership skills and management experience to, with the Commissioner, guide the DVSC through a dynamic period of establishment and into the future.
The Deputy Commissioner will have demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders including the ex-service and service support organisations, Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Ministerial offices, Commonwealth agencies more broadly, state and territory agencies, and external bodies.
The Deputy Commissioner will be required to provide authoritative strategic advice on complex inquiry, oversight and operational matters as required. The Deputy Commissioner will also ensure there are effective governance and management of risk mechanisms to assist the Commissioner to meet their obligations under the
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Please note - This is a Canberra based role only.
Our ideal candidate
The Commissioner is seeking a Deputy Commissioner who will bring the highest levels of leadership, strategic thinking, judgement, personal drive and integrity to this position. Our ideal candidate will:
- be an outstanding leader and work with the Commissioner to guide the DVSC through a dynamic period of establishment and into the future
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uphold the DVSC’s independence, impartiality, and integrity at all times
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exercise excellent judgement and influence in a sensitive, complex and public facing environment
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have demonstrated experience in providing high level strategic advice and direction across a diverse range of functions
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have the ability to provide direction in relation to inquiries, suicide prevention policy development, research and analysis, legal advice, and external engagement
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establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
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have substantial senior management and leadership experience across a diverse range of corporate and enabling functions
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have a strong understanding of processes relating to the oversight, outcomes monitoring and evaluation of public policy and program implementation, and
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have the ability to act in the role of Commissioner including representing the Commission at a range of forums, use of powers (i.e. hearings, notices), publishing reports and providing recommendations to influence systemic improvement across the Defence and veteran ecosystem.
Your leadership style should be collaborative and engender trust and respect across the agency and when working with stakeholders. It will be important to be able to foster a positive workplace culture, provide a positive influence, lead by example and bring a strong commitment to independence and public service.
Additionally, the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours Secretaries expect of themselves and SES and want to see in leaders at all levels of the APS. You will be expected to model and champion the behaviours outlined in the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours - DRIVE.
Qualifications / Experience
The following is desirable:
- Relevant professional experience in oversight, government inquiries and/or investigations including but not limited to:
- Royal Commissions or independent reviews
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own motion inquires
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criminal and/or administrative law or investigations
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administrative and/or independent reviews
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coronial inquires
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regulatory investigations
- Relevant professional experience in managing corporate and governance functions, preferably in a government context
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Tertiary qualifications in relevant area.
Integrity and Work Health and Safety
SES leaders are required to exercise the appropriate powers, authority, delegations and discretions under the relevant legislation including the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). SES leaders must demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and uphold and promote the standard of behaviour set out in the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and the APS Code of Conduct.
SES Leaders are considered Officers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). To fulfil their duty under the WHS Act, Officers must exercise due diligence to ensure PM&C complies with its work health and safety duties and obligations. It is PM&C’s expectation that all SES Leaders act in a way that is consistent with the obligations of an Officer under the WHS Act.
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.
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The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
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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 Monday, 20-Jul-2026.
As part of your application you will need to provide:
- Your resume (maximum four pages)
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A statement of claims (max 1,000 words) describing how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role.
You are encouraged to refer to the Candidate Pack and the relevant classification level of the PM&C Performance Model to assist you in drafting your statement of claims.
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
Amanda O’Rourke on
[email protected]
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 statement of claims and resume.
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