Assistant Secretary, Protocol and International Visits Branch

About the Branch

The Protocol and International Visits Branch administers state occasions and official visit programs to strengthen Australia's international relations and enhance the government’s image. It is responsible for coordinating complex events, ceremonial occasions, and visits, collaborating with various government offices and diplomatic representatives.

Role Overview

As Assistant Secretary, you will lead the Branch from Canberra, overseeing arrangements for official Guest of Government visits, the Prime Minister's overseas trips, national events, ceremonies, state funerals and memorial services, and virtual meetings with international leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to a team of up to 55 staff, including five direct EL2-level reports and approximately 30 casual employees across Australia.
• Manage project implementation to deliver state occasions and official visits programs successfully.
• Support the Prime Minister in international leader-level engagements to promote Australia's interests and facilitate cooperation.
• Advise the Prime Minister, her office, and departmental executives on protocol standards, official gifts, and travel logistics.
• Represent the department in building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, engaging in high-level intercultural liaison and negotiation, including leadership in state occasions and overseas visits.
• Develop and mentor teams to achieve exceptional results swiftly, enhancing service delivery and implementing effective policies and processes.
• Oversee branch budgets and staffing, contributing to strategic planning at divisional and departmental levels.
• Ensure timely handling of executive correspondence, including complex briefs, FOI responses, media, parliamentary questions, and sensitive ministerial communications.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated responsibility in managing diverse programs, often with competing priorities.
• Resilience and determination to maintain progress and meet outcomes amidst challenges.
• Strong leadership in mentoring managers, fostering team strengths, celebrating achievements, and sustaining positive dynamics.
• Advocacy for continuous learning and constructive feedback within the team environment.
• Capability in identifying improvements through lessons learned and conducting performance discussions.
• Commitment to a supportive workplace culture prioritizing wellbeing and psychological safety.
• Ability to equip teams with context and capacity, building strategic understanding and networks.
• Flexibility to manage changing demands within teams.
• Proven skill in strategic stakeholder engagement and decisive leadership to achieve departmental and government objectives.
• Sound judgment to analyze complex issues, challenge assumptions, and innovate in advice quality.
• Negotiation aptitude demonstrated through influence, persuasion, and policy expertise.
• Inclusive approach that respects diversity, integrity, and honesty in all situations.

Additional Requirements

This position requires a readiness to work extended and varied hours, including outside core times, and to undertake interstate and international travel at short notice, including consecutive trips.

Identified Position: The role involves engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, necessitating strong knowledge and cultural sensitivity related to these groups, and a demonstrated commitment to cultural awareness development.

Flexibility

The department promotes flexible work arrangements and considers individual circumstances alongside operational requirements to establish mutually beneficial work conditions, such as part-time hours, flexible scheduling, or remote work options.

Eligibility

• Applicants should be Australian citizens by recruitment completion, as per Public Service Act 1999, except under exceptional circumstances.
• The successful candidate must possess or attain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 2 (Top Secret) security clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings including criminal history checks apply, and a probationary period of six months is typical for new APS employees.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a resume (maximum three pages) and a one-page pitch (no more than 650 words) describing how their qualifications and experience align with the position classification. Support materials like candidate packs and guidelines are available to assist in application preparation.

Applications close by 11:30pm AEST on Sunday, 09-Aug-2026.