- Location: Canberra, ACT
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Application Closing Date: Sunday 12-Jul-2026 at 11:30pm AEST
Classification
SES Band 1
Employment Type
Ongoing
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
As Assistant Secretary Multilateral Economic Engagement Division/G20 Sous Sherpa, you will report to the First Assistant Secretary of the Division/G20 Sherpa. You will support the First Assistant Secretary/G20 Sherpa by leading a team responsible for providing advice to the Prime Minister on Australia's multilateral economic engagement in the G20, G7 and APEC. The team is also responsible for providing advice to the Prime Minister on multilateral trade and coordinating whole-of-government advice on economic security matters.
What you will do
As the Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Economic Engagement Division and G20 Sous Sherpa, your key duties will include:
- Assistant Secretary Multilateral Economic Engagement Division
- Support whole-of-government policy coordination and coherence on policies that affect Australia's economic security and resilience.
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Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across the APS to advance comprehensive advice to government that integrates domestic, international, economic and national security considerations in pursuit of Australia's economic security.
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Build and maintain a small team of high performing officers that support the development and implementation of a program of work enhancing Australia's economic security interests.
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Provide whole-of-government advice and guidance to the Prime Minister on multilateral trade matters including in relation to APEC, the WTO and multilateral trade agreements including the CPTPP and RCEP.
- G20 Sous Sherpa
- Support the G20 Sherpa to advance Australia's priorities and manage sensitivities and misalignment with national policies related to international economic cooperation.
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Attend G20 Sherpa meetings and the G20 Leaders' Summit with the G20 Sherpa, which will require regular international travel.
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Build and maintain effective working relationships with G20 Sous Sherpa counterparts in support of Australia's interests.
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Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across the APS to develop and articulate whole-of-government positions, resolving differences in perspective if required.
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Build and maintain a small team of high performing officers that support the development of Australia's G20 priorities and objectives and monitor the perspectives and priorities of other G20 members.
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In years where the Prime Minister is invited to the G7 Leaders' Summit, the G20 Sous Sherpa also becomes the G7 Sous Sherpa with equivalent duties.
Please note - This is a Canberra based role only.
What you will bring
Our ideal candidate will perform at the SES Band 1 level in accordance with the PM&C SES Band 1 Performance model and demonstrate the APS-wide DRIVE Leadership behaviours.
You will have:
- Proven experience negotiating effectively in multilateral economic forums at a senior level to advance Australia's interests.
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Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to work effectively with ministerial advisers, APS colleagues and international counterparts.
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Demonstrated track record of providing succinct advice and sound judgements under time pressure.
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Demonstrated experience advancing Australia's international and economic priorities in an environment of considerable uncertainty.
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Excellent people management skills, including a consistent track record of developing high performing teams through clear direction and prioritisation, effective delegation and time management, and the provision of constructive feedback.
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Qualifications in economics, law or international relations are highly desirable.
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SES at PM&C are accountable for both the outcomes they achieve and the behaviours they model. How SES deliver is as important as what they deliver. SES are expected to influence culture and outcomes both in PM&C and across the APS. This includes creating a psychologically safe workplace for people to work at their best and making corporate contributions that extend beyond their day-to-day responsibilities.
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All SES positions at PM&C are identifiable positions, requiring applicants to have a cultural understanding of, and sensitivity to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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 must also disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
SES leaders may be 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.
Identified Position
This position has limited contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, service providers and staff, but is still required to have the capacity and willingness to further develop these skills and knowledge. You will be required to undertake cultural awareness training that increases your:
- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures and the issues affecting these cultures in Australian society today
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Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and
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Willingness and commitment to continue to develop and increase your cultural knowledge and understandings
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Be aware and familiarised of the PM&C Cultural Protocol Guide, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment guide and CORE Learning training course.
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 Sunday, 12-Jul-2026.
As part of your application you will need to provide:
- Your resume (maximum three pages)
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A ‘one page pitch (no more than 650 words)’ 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 Performance Model to assist you in drafting your one page 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
Lisa Elliston on 02 6271 5377 or
[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 one page pitch and resume.
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