Agency Purpose
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.
The AEC’s values and commitments
The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC's focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility and professionalism.
The Team
As well as delivering federal elections and referendums, a core purpose of the AEC is to deliver targeted education and public awareness programs, to help Australians understand the democratic process and their right and responsibility to enrol and vote.
You will join the Community Engagement team. A team of enthusiastic and passionate people who are committed to ensuring all eligible Australians can actively participate in our democracy.
Through our engagement, we contribute to the evidence base to shape and refine services and supports that respond to diverse voter needs and expectations, build electoral knowledge, and improve equity of access to electoral participation.
The Opportunity
The Assistant Director, Community Engagement leads specialist projects within the Strategic Communication and Engagement section of the AEC’s Communication, Education and Engagement Branch.
In this role, you will contribute to section planning and lead the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based community engagement strategies and initiatives that align with best-practice engagement principles and support the AEC’s strategic objectives. Operating under broad direction, you will undertake complex and sensitive work to deliver targeted community engagement, public awareness and education programs for people who face barriers to electoral participation. You will provide expert advice on engagement approaches, identify and manage risks, and ensure activities are informed by evidence, stakeholder insights and organisational priorities.
The role involves leading and developing a small team to deliver high-quality outcomes in a dynamic environment. You will foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, while building team capability and supporting professional growth. You will also establish and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influence outcomes, and provide high-quality advice, briefings and reports to Branch leadership and the Senior Executive cohort. In addition, you will contribute to organisational doctrine and support election readiness and delivery activities in accordance with the AEC’s election readiness framework and assigned responsibilities.
To excel you’ll have:
- Qualifications, experience and/or in-depth knowledge of engaging with diverse communities to deliver effective community engagement or public awareness programs.
- Confidence and proven ability to communicate with influence and build and maintain positive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. This may include community organisations, peak bodies, government agencies, local councils, community leaders or members, and other relevant stakeholders (including those that may be geographically dispersed).
- Well-developed project management skills with the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate multiple projects concurrently and manage competing priorities, ensuring outcomes are achieved on time, within budget and aligned to objectives.
- Strong conceptual and analytical capabilities to identify community needs and priorities to inform evidence-based approaches.
- Proven ability to lead and manage staff, build capability, support career development, and foster a professional team environment.
- Personal drive and integrity and the ability to deliver results within legislative and budget parameters.
Desirable
- Experience working with diverse audiences such as multicultural communities, people with disability, young people, and other audiences who may need additional support to ensure voter equity.
- Knowledge of, or ability to, quickly gain knowledge of Australian electoral law and practice.
Eligibility
- AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
- Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.
