POSITION DESCRIPTION
1.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title
Senior FOI Officer
Position No
Classification Level
ASO6
Discipline
Division
Organisational & Community Development
Date Created
November 2009
Branch/Unit
Legal Services
Date Approved
November 2009
Reports To
Director, Legal Services
Review Date
2.
POSITION CONTEXT
Position Summary
Reporting/Working
Relationships
Special Conditions
3.
The Senior FOI Officer position is a role within Legal Services and is accountable to the Director, Legal
Services for:

reviewing Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1991 draft determinations prepared by Departmental
FOI Officers so as to confirm compliance with the FOI Act.

preparing complex FOI determinations.

supervising Departmental staff response times to FOI tasks (including scoping of documents and
drafting of determinations) in accordance with the FOI Act.

providing advice and training to staff on the interpretation and application of the FOI Act and
Information Privacy Principles.

providing information to members of the public regarding the FOI Act and Information Privacy
Principles.

developing policies and procedures that support the Department’s obligations under the FOI Act and
Information Privacy Principles.

assisting access by members of the public to legally available information held by the Department.

Director, Legal Services (line manager).

Executive Directors, Directors and Senior Managers across Department for Families and
Communities (DFC).

Staff of the Office of the Minister for Families and Communities.

Other government departments.

Non-government organisations.

Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a background screening and criminal
history check.

Accreditation as an FOI Officer is required.

A degree in law.
QUALIFICATIONS
Desirable
4.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information Policy
and Procedures
Strategic Communications
Organisational Contribution
RELATED TASKS

Review draft determinations and prepare complex determinations within statutory time
limits as the primary FOI Act designated accredited officer.

Manage the scoping and coordination of retrieval of documents across a diverse range of
sites within the Department.

Manage Departmental FOI services in accordance with the FOI Act.

Liaise with the Crown Solicitor’s Office when advice is required in respect of particular FOI
Act applications and internal and external reviews of determinations.

Monitor that information release complies with the FOI Act and that the operational
requirements of the Department are taken into account when considering release of
documents.

Respond to external reviews of determinations by the Ombudsman.

Maintain accurate records of Freedom of Information determinations reviewed or prepared
by Legal Services.

Develop, implement and monitor FOI Act policies and procedures.

Provide high level policy advice in relation to FOI processes and the interpretation of the
FOI Act and Information Privacy Principles.

Establish and maintain effective governance mechanisms to support the implementation of
FOI Act policy across the Department.

Establish reporting mechanisms to monitor that FOI Act policy is consistently implemented
and maintained.

Provide high level and confidential advice to the Director, Legal Services when information
to be released is of a highly sensitive nature.

Consult with multiple stakeholders including senior departmental executives in the review
and preparation of FOI Act determinations.

Provide advice, support and training to staff of DFC on FOI Act policy and procedures.

Provide advice and training services to staff on the interpretation and application of the FOI
Act and Information Privacy Principles.

Provide information to members of the public regarding the FOI Act and Information
Privacy Principles.

Understand and follow workplace safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe
working environment, as well as follow procedures to manage and minimise risks within the
DFC.

Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following Departmental
greening initiatives.

Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Conduct for
Public Sector Employees and DFC stated values.
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5.
DFC CAPABILITIES (C)

Identify networking opportunities to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Adapt communication style and identify strategies to improve communication effectiveness.

Consider others’ perspectives when communicating, negotiating or presenting arguments to build
rapport.

Understand the range of connected services provided by the department and their relevance to clients.

Listen to client feedback to gain insight for continuous improvement of services.

Utilise a variety of information sources to gain insight to understand client enquiries and devise
practical solutions.

Recognise and utilise resources to achieve organisational goals.

Discuss performance agreements with direct reports.

Take responsibility for delivering business unit outcomes and performance.
Personal Drive &
Professionalism

Investigate own personal and professional development opportunities.

Follow safe work practices and contribute to the well-being and safety of team/unit.
Continuous
Improvement

Identify potential risks and implement action plans to manage and minimise the risk.

Seek opportunities to improve Departmental processes by contributing to improvement initiatives.

Work with ambiguous information and draw on previous experience to develop innovative solutions to
problems.

Take action and provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as engaging in learning about other cultures to better
establish relationships and improve services.
Relating &
Communicating
Client Focus
Achieving
Objectives
Respect Cultural
Diversity
6.
JOB SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
1
Freedom of Information Knowledge Base – demonstrate knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and related
procedures as well as knowledge of privacy issues and the application of the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs).
2
Develop Solutions - analyse problems and formulate solutions based on the practical interpretation of policies, procedures and
relevant legislation.
3
Relationships and Networks - establish and maintain effective relationships and networks with internal and external
stakeholders.
4
Legislative and Policy Advice – ability to interpret, explain and apply legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
5
Strategic Advice - ability to provide conceptual and strategic advice to senior management and Ministers using high level
verbal and writing skills to produce quality documentation.
7.
DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY:
Date:
Signature:
APPROVED BY:
Date:
Signature:
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