- Work with an independent integrity agency in a complex legislative environment.
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Flexible working arrangements are available at all levels.
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Regional relocation assistance available.
Who we are
The Inspector-General of Water Compliance (Inspector-General) is an independent statutory role and an identified integrity agency, supported by staff provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water (the Department). Inspector-General’s vision: Water management and use within the Murray-Darling Basin is lawful, transparent, and accountable, and the Australian public is confident in the integrity of Basin Plan delivery. Inspector-General’s purpose: The Inspector-General ensures various government bodies, water managers and users in the Murray-Darling Basin (the Basin) comply with their obligations under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) (Water Act) and the Basin Plan 2012 (Cth) (Basin Plan) and drives governments and water managers to uphold high standards of integrity and performance.
The Inspector-General’s role includes oversighting the performance of government agencies in the management of Basin water resources, as well as ensuring compliance with various commitments under legislation. The Inspector-General currently has offices located in Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Canberra, Dubbo, Goondiwindi, Melbourne, Mildura and Sydney. The Inspector-General can support regional relocation to one of our Basin communities.
The Operations Branch looks after:
- Governance and strategy.
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Information and communications technology and data.
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Regulatory best practice.
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Continuous improvement.
The Operations Branch ensures business-as-usual is maintained and manages day-to-day operations.
This includes:
- Managing assets, such as finance, people and technology
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Integrating tasks and performance targets
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Putting in place programs and reforms.
Regulatory Best Practice is responsible for ensuring the IGWC delivers the long-term strategic goals of the Inspector-General of Water Compliance through:
- Influencing external policy and regulatory settings.
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Internal regulatory policies, procedures and practices to continuously improve towards best regulatory practice by the agency.
The job
The role is responsible for supporting the delivery of key priorities relating to advocating for governance and legislative improvements, through the provision of strategic and operational support to the Inspector-General. This position leads preparation of material for the Inspector-General's input to statutory reviews and ensuring outcomes align with organisational values, legislation, and strategic priorities. The role requires strong analytical thinking, the ability to communicate complex issues, and to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high quality, timely results.
The key responsibilities of the Assistant Director will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Develop and communicate influential submissions for review and legislative reform processes to provide stewardship and support continual improvement of water management legislation and governance.
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Develop and apply best regulatory practice principles to drive continual improvement in the regulatory and oversight work performed by staff in supporting the Inspector-General.
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Develop and embed an updated Regulatory Policy and associated procedures and templates to inform and guide regulatory decision-making.
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Work with regulatory business areas to identify areas and opportunities to drive improvements in the development of operational strategies and in the activities undertaken by their staff.
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Plan and implement programs to build best regulatory practice over time and foster a continual improvement culture through communications, procedural review and improvement, resources, and advice.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and Experience
- Experience in regulatory stewardship, including through leading, supporting and driving continual improvement in high quality and evidence-based decision-making.
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Experience in the application of regulatory frameworks in robust and risk-informed decision-making.
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Knowledge of national water management laws, in particular the Water Act 2007 (Cth).
Skills and Capabilities
- Gather, synthesise, and interpret data, research, and practical experience to identify operational policy problems, risks, and opportunities for reform from an oversight and regulatory perspective, and translate complex evidence into clear, actionable insights.
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Provide timely, and impartial advice to senior executives on continual improvement of regulatory practice services, including through partnering with line areas to provide robust, high-quality and fit-for-purpose advice.
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Communicate intentions, rationale, and outcomes succinctly for diverse audiences through high quality written materials using plain English.
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Engage constructively with internal and external stakeholders (other agencies, states/territories, industry, community groups, experts, etc) to test assumptions, manage risks, and build trust and legitimacy.
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Planning and delivering whole of agency initiatives and projects with clear objectives, milestones and risk management strategies and to review, report on and learn from outcomes.
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Demonstrating leadership, initiative, accountability, and resilience, and supports continuous improvement and team development aligned to organisational purpose.
Desirable qualifications
- University degree in a relevant field (e.g. natural resource management, humanities, law, public administration).
Eligibility
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - this position requires a
Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment
You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.
The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.
For more information, see:
- Artificial Intelligence Transparency Statement
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AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission
