Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer
Job Title
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer
Job Number
2002
Classification
SES Band 1
Job Type
Ongoing, Full time
Location
Acton, ACT
Program
Executive
Contact Officer
Russell Taylor (02) 6246 1106
Eligibility
This position is an Identified and Special Measures position. It is
only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples under
section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'.
Closing date for applications
6 January 2016
About the Organisation
AIATSIS is Australia’s premier national institution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander studies. We house the world’s most important and extensive collection of
cultural and research material, and we promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
knowledge and culture through access to our collections and including publishing
through Aboriginal Studies Press. We engage in a broad research program,
covering areas of social and cultural wellbeing, country and governance, and
including the Native title Research Unit. AIATSIS works to enhance the lives of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to enable a better understanding of
Australia and its people by all Australians.
According to recent significance assessments the AIATSIS collection is the “most
extensive and best contextualised collection of Indigenous Australia in the world”.
As a major national keeping place for Indigenous knowledge, it is also key research
infrastructure and a source of information and knowledge about Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories for Australia and the world. The
Collections program encompasses all aspects of collection development,
management, preservation and access.
Identified and Special Measures Positions
Indigenous jobseekers are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. If the job is
'Identified', then part or all of the duties impact on Indigenous Australian people
and/or involve interaction with Indigenous Australian communities or their
representatives.
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute a special measure under section
8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Position Details
The Deputy CEO, COO provides leadership across AIATSIS, which includes
functions relating to: collections, research, and corporate services: cultural
competency; communication and engagement; publications; knowledge
management; technology; people and integrity; governance and risk; and finance
and infrastructure.
This role provides direction across three key elements that are essential to the future
of AIATSIS:

Collaboration: the future vision for AIATSIS rests heavily on establishing
collaborative relationships, both internally and externally to the agency. The most
important relationships for this role in delivering the agenda for AIATSIS include;
the AIATSIS Council, CEO, all members of the AIATSIS senior executive; the
Minister for Education and Training and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs; our
counterparts in the Department of Education and Training; and AIATSIS’s partner
agencies primarily the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The role is also
a key representative role for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is crucial in
ensuring that AIATSIS is a major stakeholder in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultural leadership and community sectors; the collections and museums
sector in particular those with Indigenous expertise; the tertiary research, policy
and education sectors–nationally and internationally.

Innovation: this role is responsible for the oversight of significant transformation
agendas that will see the implementation of new and innovative ways of AIATSIS
working with partners across these sectors and government agencies. A critical
role will be shaping strategy to encourage lead partners and stakeholders to
progress the Before It’s Too Late strategy. This strategy will be concentrated on
finding and preserving the culture and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Island Peoples.

Capability: This role is responsible for ensuring that human, financial, physical
and information resources are the best available to achieve the business and
strategic outcomes.
Primary outcomes and accountabilities:
The key outcomes and accountabilities for this role include:

Providing support and advice to the CEO and the AIATSIS Council.

Providing a strong, strategic contribution to the evolution of the organisation
through collaboration and building essential relationships with counterparts in the
Department of Education and Training and AIATSIS’ partner agencies, in
particular the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Building and maintaining relationships with partners across the public, private,
academic and cultural centres and museum sectors that are essential to creating
a sustainable operating and innovation model.
Position Description: SES Band 1 Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer

Ensuring that appropriate governance processes are in place and effective.

Overseeing AIATSIS’ compliance with its corporate, statutory and legal
information and technology requirements.

Chairing and participating in the relevant AIATSIS Governance Committees,
ensuring that progress is made against key objectives.

Strategic planning, in relation to Organisational Wellbeing and Cultural
Competency, budget, workforce, learning and development, physical and
technology infrastructure and security and integrity
The successful candidate will also have:

Demonstrated experience as a leader, with a personal reputation as visionary
who is capable of defining and leading change within a complex and evolving
landscape.

Exceptionally strong record of accomplishment in delivering innovative and
transformative change within a business.

Very strong relationship-building skills across the public, private and academic
sectors and internally

Highly experienced in strategic planning, particularly in relation to people,
technology and budget.

Experience in financial management and working within a budget including
innovative ways to achieve results within a financially constrained environment.

Higher degree qualifications in a relevant field will be highly regarded.
Selection Criteria
1. Demonstrated commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and the demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This commitment will be
shown by their capacity to:
a. Understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures;
b. Identify issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
today; and
c. Communicate respectfully.
2. Shapes Strategic Thinking

Inspires a sense of purpose and direction

Strategic focus

Ability to recognise opportunities, harness information

Shows judgment, intelligence and common sense
Position Description: SES Band 1 Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer

Recognise opportunities and harness information
3. Achieve Results

Organisational capability

Marshals professional expertise

Implements change

Ability to clarify ambiguities

Closure and delivery
4. Exemplify Personal Drive and Integrity

Professionalism and probity

Risk-taking and personal courage

Action orientation

Resilience

Self- awareness

Commitment to personal development
5. Cultivate Productive Working Relationships

Nurtures internal and external relationships

Facilitates co-operation and partnerships

Values differences and diversity

Guides, mentors and develops people
6. Communicates With Influence

Communicates clearly

Listens, understands and adapts to different audiences

Negotiates persuasively
7. Innovative Leadership

Able to define an innovation roadmap to deliver against far-reaching
strategic goals

Leads and delivers transformative change

Delivers collaborative and outcome-focused productivity improvements

Prioritises well to build the right collaborative relationships that deliver
mutually beneficial outcomes.
Position Description: SES Band 1 Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer