NEMA Assistant Director, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation Lead

About this role

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established on 1 September 2022 as a single, accountable Commonwealth authority that delivers a whole-of-nation approach to reducing disaster risk, planning, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all hazards across the emergency management continuum. NEMA works closely with states and territories to deliver the best outcome for communities across Australia. To help communities respond and recover, while preparing Australia for future emergencies, we: • Fund programs and initiatives, big and small, that help communities in times of emergency, as well as to recover and prepare, including through disaster recovery funding and the Disaster Ready Fund to help reduce the risk and impact of disasters • Have officers located across Australia, working in partnership with states and territories to support disaster-affected communities to collectively build resilience, reduce risk and harm, and effectively respond to and recover from disasters • Provide national leadership to share knowledge, situational awareness, and trends in disaster efforts to inform, guide and shape the national picture and decision-making at the Commonwealth, state and local government level – including through policy development and strategy to improve risk reduction, resilience and recovery • Provide round-the-clock all-hazards monitoring and operational coordination for domestic and international emergencies, including supply chain disruptions, critical infrastructure outages, biosecurity risks and widespread cyber-attacks, and through supporting preparedness and response activities, including through the operationalisation of the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework. For further information on NEMA’s purpose, vision and values, please see the NEMA website. Overview of the branch and section The Data, Business Operations and Technology Branch is the central data and analytics, information technology, shared services, property, cyber and security team within the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), responsible for a broad range of critical agency functions. • Technology Strategy and Operations deliver technology strategy and provides secure, reliable IT systems and services, including system implementation, maintenance, and support for agency operations • Data and Analytics provides enterprise data leadership, governance, and analytical advice, including statistical analysis of disaster events, recovery efforts, and mitigation strategies. It leads quantitative data analysis and research, drives innovation in data visualisation and automation, supports self-service access to data and information, and delivers insights to inform evidence-based decision-making. Data and Analytics also provides geospatial analysis, mapping and modelling to support situational awareness and operational decision-making • Business Operations delivers enabling services including property and facilities, physical and personnel security, shared services, and business continuity planning to support organisational resilience. By providing leadership in evidence-based decision-making, the branch plays a pivotal role in supporting NEMA’s policy and programs and enabling corporate services to effectively support staff. About the role The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation Lead will drive the responsible implementation, governance and adoption of artificial intelligence across NEMA. The role leads enterprise governance processes, manages complex AI enquiries and provides authoritative advice to ensure agency policies align with government directives, risk settings, compliance obligations and the whole-of-government approach to AI. Working with business areas, senior leaders, technical specialists and external stakeholders, the role oversees NEMA’s AI work program, assesses AI use cases and supports practical solutions in an evolving policy and technology environment. The role requires sound judgement, strong analytical capability, effective stakeholder engagement and the ability to operate independently in a complex and emerging area of work. At times staff within NEMA may be required to work outside of standard business hours, particularly during the higher risk weather season. Our ideal candidate To be successful in this role, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong initiative, sound judgement and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively in a rapidly evolving and forward-thinking environment. They will use well developed analytical and problem-solving skills to support the responsible implementation and adoption of AI across NEMA ensuring activities align with agency priorities, government requirements and compliance obligations. We encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age people and people from other diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a working environment that values diversity and inclusion and supports staff to reach their full potential. • Lead and manage enterprise governance processes for the responsible use of AI at NEMA, exercising independent judgement in the design and application of appropriate controls • Manage complex enterprise-level AI enquiries, coordinate outcomes and influencing business areas to ensure alignment with risk, governance and policy requirements • Conduct risk assessments of AI use cases, determining appropriate controls and providing guidance to business areas and expert advice to the Chief Data Officer on risk acceptance, mitigation and compliance obligations • Oversee and drive NEMA’s AI work program, coordinating across internal and external stakeholders to identify business needs and develop proposed implementation activities • Lead compliance reviews and assurance activities for AI-enabled systems by identifying gaps, recommending remediation actions, and supporting audit and assurance requirements • Provide expert advice to NEMA’s senior leadership on managing accountabilities, enabling infrastructure systems, and applying controls to AI-enabled systems • Drive innovative and practical solutions to support the agency’s adoption of AI, operating in an environment of emerging risks, evolving policy settings and limited precedent. Role requirements/qualifications • Demonstrated capability in leading and delivering digital transformation or AI-focused initiatives within complex organisational settings, exercising appropriate autonomy and sound judgement • Strong understanding of artificial intelligence technologies, emerging trends, and their strategic relevance to public sector service delivery, with the ability to provide authoritative advice to senior stakeholders • Strong technical leadership and people management skills • Understanding of the Microsoft AI technology stack, including Copilot and other emerging AI models • Excellent conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate in ambiguous environments and apply structured analysis to define requirements, assess impacts and deliver practical, compliant solutions • Highly developed communication, negotiation and leadership skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior executives, technical specialists, and external partners • Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional stakeholders, including legal, policy, crisis intelligence and technical experts • Formal qualifications in change management or project management are desirable • Tertiary degree or higher-level qualification in computer science, data science or a similar discipline is desirable.