Assistant Commissioner Immigration Detention

About this role

The Department of Home Affairs The Department of Home Affairs supports a prosperous, secure and united Australia through the management of a range of functions including responsibility for Australia’s migration and citizenship programs, cyber security policy, the protection of critical infrastructure, countering terrorism, and countering foreign interference and espionage. In addition, it is responsible for strengthening multiculturalism and democratic resilience and facilitating legitimate trade and travel while maintaining the integrity of the Australian border. Home Affairs seeks to create an environment to ensure our staff can perform to their full potential. As a department we are focused on demonstrating exemplary leadership, progressing our game-changing agenda and ensuring collaboration is at the core of what we do. Our leaders must epitomise excellence, set high standards and inspire and invest in our people to ensure that we are well positioned to continue delivering for the community into the future. Our work is underpinned by our partnerships with government, international and industry partners. Contribute to building a prosperous, unified and safe Australia – work in a challenging but rewarding role that touches many parts of Australian life. Australian Border Force The Australian Border Force (ABF) is an operationally independent agency within the Home Affairs portfolio. The ABF brings together the full spectrum of operational border management; facilitation of the movement of people and goods, investigations, compliance, immigration detention and enforcement functions. By applying an intelligence-informed approach to risk, the ABF works with partner agencies across the border continuum to deliver effective control over who and what has the right to enter or exit, and under what conditions. Our Senior Executive Service Our SES leaders are transparent, accountable, and highly skilled communicators who contribute to and lead the strategic priorities and objectives of the organisation. We work as a team to solve some of the most challenging problems facing Australia. We deliver high quality impartial advice and work with domestic and international counterparts in federal, state and territory governments, and industry, to deliver for Australia and its national interests. We are an organisation who puts our people at the centre of our thinking. We are driving an exciting transformation for our Department to support our people and enable us to deliver on our vision that will build our nation and secure our future. Our SES are role models of behaviours consistent with the APS Values and Code of Conduct , the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours (DRIVE) and our organisational values of excellence, integrity, openness and collaboration. We want leaders who prioritise their people, who are resilient and collaborative, who can think creatively and deliver results in a large, complex and fast-paced environment. If that describes you, we would love to hear from you. About the role Division Overview Immigration Detention plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of migration policies and protection of the Australian border. The ABF is responsible for the management of the Immigration Detention Network, including the safety, health and welfare of detainees and the good order of immigration detention facilities. The ABF oversees the implementation and operation of policies and procedures related to immigration detention. Operating across Australia, officers within Immigration Detention Division: • Manage facilities and services for non-citizens detained under the Migration Act 1958 for the purposes of resolving their status or in preparation for their removal from Australia. • Manage and implement operational findings and recommendations from internal and external stakeholders and scrutiny bodies including the Minister, Department, media, contracted service providers and external scrutiny bodies. • Provide efficient, effective, economical and ethical management and administration of the Immigration Detention Health Services Contract and the Immigration Detention Facilities and Detainee Services Contract. Ensuring compliance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPAA), Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) and Accountable Authority Instructions (AAIs). Key opputunities • Lead the strategic governance, contract management, and performance oversight of immigration detention service providers, administering contracts valued at $3.2 billion to support the delivery of critical Government immigration detention outcomes. The successful candidate would have an understanding of APS procurement, contract management, governance, and compliance, with the ability to lead the administration of complex, high-risk, high-value contractual arrangements in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and broader Government accountability frameworks. • Lead the strategic management of the Immigration Detention Network, influencing operations, policy, and service delivery outcomes that ensure the safety, health, and welfare of detainees while maintaining secure, orderly, and effective detention facilities in support of Government priorities. • Lead the operational delivery of a complex and diverse network which includes an intelligence capability, improving culture and delivering nationally consistent service delivery to support strategic, operational and tactical decision making. • Manage key stakeholder relationships with service providers and scrutiny bodies such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Red Cross and other non-government organisations. • Contribute to the ABF strategic vision and mission. Key challenges • Managing complex, high-risk contractual arrangements valued in the billions of dollars while safeguarding Commonwealth interests, ensuring value-for-money outcomes, and maintaining uninterrupted delivery of critical immigration detention services. • Managing the operational, strategic, and reputational impacts arising from external scrutiny and oversight bodies, whose reviews of detainee treatment, service delivery, and detention infrastructure can generate significant media, parliamentary, and public interest, with potential implications for Government policy, the Commonwealth’s reputation, and the operation of the Immigration Detention Network. • Leading teams and making critical decisions in circumstances that can be confronting and morally challenging, requiring resilience, sound judgement, and a strong commitment to professionalism and integrity. • Setting the vision and priorities for the Division – implementing the strategic vision through a cohesive and collaborative operating model, resulting in confidence from Government and key stakeholders. • Managing the priorities of a large workload within a high tempo environment – maintain a heightened understanding and awareness of risks and put in place appropriate risk mitigations when required. • Judgement and quality – Maintaining safety and security measures to reduce occurrences of critical incidents, maintaining vigilance to ensure a safe and secure network. • Building strong relationships – focusing on scrutiny bodies, ensuring collaboration when vulnerabilities are identified. For specific duties, general responsibilities, core capabilities and further information about the role please refer to the Candidate Information Pack. Please email ses.recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au to request a copy of the Application Form, Privacy Notice and Candidate Information Pack.