APS5 Regulatory, Compliance, Assurance and Risk Officers

Applications for this position close on Sunday 1 November at 11.30pm AEDT

The Opportunities 

The Australian Passport Office (APO) and the Regulatory and Legal Policy Division (RLD) are seeking dynamic, motivated individuals to fill vacancies in their teams. 

Regulatory and Legal Policy Division (RLD) 

The Australian Sanctions Office administers Australia’s sanctions framework, implementing listings, providing guidance, issuing permits, promoting compliance, and supporting sanctions policy. Sanctions Officers support the Australian Government’s decisions on sanctions through evidence-based, legally grounded recommendations considering applicable law, policy, evidence, consultation, risk, national interest, and UNSC requirements. 

The Foreign Arrangements Branch administers the Foreign Arrangements Scheme, ensuring international engagement by Australian governments and universities aligns with foreign policy. It advises on foreign policy, research security and interference risks, works with government and intelligence partners, conducts nationwide outreach, supports regulated entities’ compliance, and leads DFAT’s countering foreign interference policy. 

Australian Passport Office (APO) 

The Australian Passport Office (APO) is seeking APS5 Risk and Assurance Officers to support the maintenance and continuous improvement of APO’s risk management, internal controls and assurance arrangements. 

APO operates in a high-value, high-risk environment and must maintain effective systems of risk oversight, internal control and compliance across its operational and enabling functions. The role supports evidence-based assessments of whether controls are appropriately designed, documented and operating as intended, and contributes to identifying control weaknesses, risks and opportunities for improvement. 

APS5 officers will undertake research, evidence collection, control documentation and assurance testing under general direction. They will work with business areas to understand processes and controls, maintain accurate assurance records and prepare clear findings and recommendations. The role requires sound judgement, analytical capability, attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive information appropriately. 

For further information, please see the Applicant Information Pack at DFAT Careers website. 

Australian Passport Office (APO) 

• Coordinate and undertake risk-based assurance reviews and control-effectiveness assessments across APO functions, processes and internal controls under general direction. 
• Contribute to the development of assurance scopes, testing approaches and evidence requirements in line with approved assurance plans and relevant frameworks. 
• Analyse evidence, risks, control weaknesses and dependencies, exercise sound judgement, and develop evidence-based findings and practical recommendations. 
• Prepare clear and accurate assurance reports, briefs and governance updates on control effectiveness, identified risks and proposed improvements. 
• Consult with APO business owners to confirm findings, support the development of proportionate management actions and maintain records of remediation progress through to closure. 
• Provide risk and assurance advice within established policies and procedures and support consistent application of the DFAT Risk Management Framework and APO Internal Controls Framework. 
• Support assurance capability by preparing guidance, contributing to training and, quality assurance activities and assisting other officers and business areas. 
• Build productive stakeholder relationships and contribute ideas to improve APO’s assurance methodology, reporting, tools and processes. 

Foreign Arrangements Branch (FAB) 

• Support administration of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme in accordance with the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 (Act). 
• Assess and triage foreign arrangements notified under the Scheme, balancing foreign policy, security and risk analysis informed by whole-of-government consultation. 
• Provide advice and undertake assessment of proposed notifications to ensure compliance with the Act and consistent application of the Scheme, including implementation of recent changes to the Act. 
• Contribute to advice and liaison with key stakeholders to manage DFAT equities regarding Countering Foreign Interference.  
• Support outreach to the regulated community. This includes undertaking stakeholder engagement to raise awareness and ensure compliance with the Scheme; and management of, and participation in, domestic outreach, virtual updates, meetings, conferences, workshops, and training opportunities. 
• Develop and maintain guidance, SOPs, and outreach material to ensure effective administration of, and compliance with, the Scheme. 
• Assist with analysis of Scheme data and ICT systems to inform data driven decisions and strategic policy advice. 
• Prepare Ministerial submissions, a broad range of briefing and advice for internal and external audiences, outreach and guidance material and other ad hoc duties within FAB as required. 

Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) 

• Contribute effectively to monitoring and compliance casework and policy, including supporting engagement with government partners to coordinate responses to potential non-compliance. 
• Research, interpret and apply legislation and legal advice on compliance casework. 
• Draft sanctions compliance assessments, including through an understanding and analysis of relevant data and intelligence material. 
• Support work to build and maintain critical cross-government relationships, including by representing DFAT and the ASO in external forums. 
• Contribute to uplifting team capability and collaboration through training and practical experience. 
• Support the development and implementation of strategies, policies and internal operating procedures and templates to build a strong, innovative, and sustainable sanctions monitoring and compliance practice. 
• Exercise and foster strong professional judgment and risk management in handling sensitive and high-profile matters under pressure. 

Other duties as required. 

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. 

Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).