Vacancy Details

Agency Purpose

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.

The AEC’s values and commitments

The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC's focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility and professionalism.

The Team

The International Engagement (IE) section provides a broad range of services to support the AEC’s international programs. 

IE works in partnership with electoral management bodies (EMBs) in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting them to deliver elections and building their technical capacity. The AEC is committed to assisting EMBs in our region as part of our broader remit to defend democracy. Section 7(1)(fa) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 directs the AEC to provide international assistance in matters relating to elections and referendums. 

The AEC’s electoral assistance programs are built on requests for assistance from partner EMBs and are funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through Australia’s international development program.

The section is also the Secretariat for both the Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) Network and the Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) partnership. 

The Opportunity

The role will be responsible for performing the PIANZEA Network Secretariat and the BRIDGE Secretariat functions. It will also support the day-to-day management of the AEC’s international engagement, including program management associated with the provision of election and referendum assistance to developing democracies.

The role is responsible for undertaking work that is moderately complex and/or sensitive in nature, under limited direction. Participating in section planning for short term tasks and contributing to strategic planning for longer term initiatives also forms part of this role. On occasion work outside of standard business hours, or additional duties at the time of an electoral event, will be a required component of the role.

BRIDGE

BRIDGE is the most comprehensive curriculum and workshop package available to build the capacity of electoral administrators, and stakeholders in the electoral process, in all regions of the world. The AEC plays a central role as one of five BRIDGE Partner organisations and hosting the BRIDGE Secretariat. The BRIDGE Secretariat is the central coordination point for BRIDGE globally and provides support and advice to anyone interested in conducting BRIDGE programs. 

PIANZEA

The PIANZEA Network is an association of EMBs in the Pacific that come together to share information and provide mutual assistance in support of elections. Seventeen EMBs are full members of the PIANZEA Network. The AEC manages and coordinates the PIANZEA Network Support Program and provides Secretariat functions for the Network.

To excel you’ll have:

  • Experience in the design, development and customisation of the BRIDGE program, or a similar adult module learning program, in an international setting.
  • Experience in working with international development organisations or in an international engagement role. 
  • Demonstrated stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work collaboratively to achieve outcomes in cross-cultural and cross-agency environments. 
  • Knowledge and experience working in secretariat support, international engagement, training, learning and development, and/or education fields.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills including advanced minute-taking skills. 
  • Sound organisational skills, motivation, and flexibility, to successfully set priorities and deliver quality results in a timely manner.
  • Demonstrated personal integrity and commitment to working within legislative, program and policy parameters.

Desirable

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in international relations, international development, public administration, training, learning and development, or education fields and/or practical experience working in these areas.   
  • Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, Australian electoral law, practice and Commonwealth Resource Framework.  

Eligibility

  • AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
  • Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
  • Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
  • Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.