APS6 - Program Officer Norfolk Island Service Arrangements Branch

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples people with disability people with cultural and linguistic diversity and LGBTQIA people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and in particular supporting womens progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the Norfolk Island community. The Norfolk Island and Mainland Territories Branch leads policy governance and service delivery arrangements across Norfolk Island the Jervis Bay Territory the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The branch works closely with state and territory governments local partners and communities to deliver effective services and sustainable outcomes.

The Norfolk Island Service Arrangements Section plays a critical role in managing and overseeing essential services on Norfolk Island including education policing corrections and a range of service delivery agreements. The section also leads policy and governance reform provides high-quality advice to the Minister and drives collaboration with state and territory governments and local stakeholders.

What will you do

The role is varied but typical duties would include:

• Researching and analysing mainland Australian quality standards and service delivery models to plan strategic outcomes relating to the delivery of state government-type services on Norfolk Island.
• Using specialised technical expertise and experience in the early childhood education and care sector to oversee assess and review the provision of childcare services on Norfolk Island in accordance with Australias National Quality Framework.
• Travelling to Norfolk Island to undertake compliance assessments for service delivery at an early learning centre.
• Contributing to the negotiation management and continuous improvement of contracts and service delivery agreements with state and local governments and other delivery partners.
• Secretariat functions for departmental contract management meetings.
• Drafting formal advice to the Executive and the government including preparing reports Cabinet submissions ministerial submissions and briefings to support service delivery negotiations and decision-making with a variety of stakeholders.

The successful candidate is required to routinely view harmful content as an inherent requirement of the role. This may include any of the following reading descriptions of painful and traumatic events experienced by children abusive or offensive language graphic violence etc. The department acknowledges this type of work is not suited for everyone. If you believe you would find this type of information distressing or triggering please reflect on whether this is the right role for you. The role may require the successful candidate to undertake frequent domestic/international travel from time to time. The role requires the successful candidate to hold and maintain a driver licence as travel between locations on Norfolk Island is required.

Who are we looking for

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS6 Work level standards.

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate your ability to:

• Support strategic direction understand the broader objectives of the department and align contract and stakeholder management activities to achieve quality service outcomes for the Norfolk Island community.
• Achieve results assist with the management of multiple service contracts monitor performance and reporting obligations and identify opportunities to improve service delivery and compliance with legislative and policy requirements.
• Support productive working relationships build and maintain strong respectful relationships with a range of stakeholders including local government service providers and internal colleagues to deliver effective outcomes.
• Communicate with influence prepare clear and accurate written material present information confidently and engage persuasively with diverse audiences to inform negotiate and achieve consensus.
• Display personal drive and integrity act professionally and with sound judgment taking responsibility for delivering high-quality work while upholding APS Values and demonstrating initiative in a dynamic environment.

Experience in the early childhood education and care sector will be highly regarded.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner

• Strategic and program management skills including an ability to develop interpret and apply policies and processes.

• Data assessment and analysis skills including an ability to interpret complex data and determine whether service delivery targets are being effectively measured and met.

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme

• Declare they have a disability and

• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development empowering individuals to set goals acquire new skills and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities and a positive performance culture we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills through the departments Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities including part time hours home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year with one months accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee) plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth fulfillment and well-being. Experience personal and professional development prioritise your health and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility Requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure Transport Regional Development Communications Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the departments preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at baseline. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia or have a checkable background for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
• Working with Child Check: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a working with children clearance/ Working with Children Card from the jurisdiction they reside in.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 9 December 2025

Applications close: 4 January 2026

Application shortlisting: 16January 2026

Further assessments: 23January 2026

Selection report finalised: 6 February 2026

Offers and announcements: 13February 2026

The above is indicative only please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and theWork level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted you may be asked to undertake further assessment this may include work sample testing interviews and reference checks

How to Apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT Sunday 4 January 2026.

In applying for this position you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than 1 page outlining your background capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF no more than 2 pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the Who are we looking for section.

Your application should be received through the departments online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team onor via email at to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information please email

Work with us. Apply now!