Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries and Legal, Defence and Veterans' Service Commission

Ongoing & Non-ongoing For a period of up to 24 monthsSES Band 1 plus 15.4% superannuationCanberra, ACTLocation: Canberra, ACTApplication Closing Date: Monday 24-Nov-2025 at 11:30pm AEDTClassificationSES Band 1Employment TypeOngoing & Non-ongoing (for a period up to 24 months)This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the delegate.Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for a maximum period of two (2) years. If the initial contract is for less than 2 years, it may be extended or renewed once, up to the 2 year limit.A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.About the Defence and Veteran's Service Commission The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) provides independent oversight and evidence-based advice to government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members.The Australian Government established the DVSC as a new non-corporate Commonwealth Entity (NCE) on 29 September 2025 in response to the key recommendation of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.Key Functions Of The DVSC Include:monitoring, inquiring and reporting on issues relevant to suicide and suicidality for serving and ex-serving ADF membersmonitoring, inquiring and reporting on the implementation of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commissionimproving supports for serving and ex-serving ADF membersworking with coroners to understand issues contributing to Defence and veteran deaths by suicide, andpromoting an understanding of suicide risks and wellbeing for Defence members and veterans, including through engaging with people with lived experience.The DVSC has a wide range of powers akin to those of a Royal Commission to undertake special inquiries – including conducting hearings, summonsing people to give evidence under oath or affirmation, search warrants and notices to produce information.Working at the DVSC As a new agency, the DVSC is recruiting staff and capabilities and will continue to do so over the coming year. You have an opportunity to join us now where your expertise can help influence and shape our strategy in support of the Commissioner’s independent oversight of wide-ranging reforms across the Defence and veteran ecosystem.Under The Current Organisational Structure Of The Commission There Are Two SES Band 1 Officers Who Will Report To The Deputy Commissioner:Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries and LegalAssistant Commissioner, Oversight and Engagement.The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and two Assistant Commissioners will form the senior executive group of the Commission.We are looking to recruit high performing and dedicated staff from a range of capabilities, who demonstrate integrity, independence and compassion.A key focus of the DVSC’s work is the prevention of suicide and suicidality. While the DVSC has a proactive wellbeing program, applicants are encouraged to consider their personal circumstances when applying for this role. Applicants can familiarise themselves with the findings and recommendations of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide for further information.The DVSC is an independent agency currently physically located in Canberra, within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under a shared service arrangement. While we transition our employment framework, the successful candidate may be on-boarded via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and subsequently transitioned to the DVSC.SES employment conditions are outlined in individual s24(1) determinations.About The RoleAs Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries and Legal you will oversee inquiries into the Defence and veteran ecosystem in relation to suicidality, suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members. You will be part of a small senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership of DVSC and have day-to-day management of two functional areas: Inquiries and Legal.The Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries And Legal Will Be Required To Provide Strategic Advice And Leadership Of The DVSC’s Inquiries Function. Specifically, They Will Support The Commissioner Exercising Their Functions In Relation To Monitoring, Inquiring Into And Reporting On Matters Including:data and trends regarding suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF memberssystemic factors relating to the Australian Government's administration of policies, programs, systems and practices that contribute to suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF members, andthe state of the Defence and veteran ecosystem, as it relates to the prevention of suicide and suicidality.The DVSC has powers to conduct public and private hearings when undertaking a special inquiry.The Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries And Legal Will Also Be Required To Provide Strategic Advice And Leadership Of The DVSC’s Legal Function, With The DVSC General Counsel Reporting To Them. The Key Areas Of Responsibility For The Legal Function Are:Legal advice to Commission and Commissioner, including general Corporate legal advice or engaging external legal providers to assistLegislative reform and statutory interpretationLegal and inquiry policy and procedureManaging litigation arising out of the work of the CommissionReferral of briefs of evidence for prosecutionFreedom of InformationPrivacy, andPublic Interest Disclosure.The successful candidate will be an outstanding leader with extensive experience at the senior executive level carrying out functions in a sensitive, complex, and public operational environment. This role requires exceptional leadership skills and management experience to guide the Inquiries and Legal branch through a dynamic period of establishment and into the future.The Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries and Legal will have demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.The Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries and Legal will also ensure there are effective governance and management of risk mechanisms to assist the Commissioner to meet their obligations under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 .As Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries and Legal you will represent the DVSC in public forums and be expected to regularly liaise with senior officials.Our ideal candidateThe Commissioner Is Seeking An Assistant Commissioner, Inquiries And Legal Who Will Bring The Highest Levels Of Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Judgement, Personal Drive And Integrity To This Position. Our Ideal Candidate Will:be an outstanding leader with the capability to guide the Inquiries and Legal branch through a dynamic period of establishment and into the futureuphold the DVSC’s independence, impartiality, and professionalism at all times with integrity that is beyond reproachhave the ability to provide strategic direction in relation to inquiries, legal advice, and external engagementhave experience in conducting criminal and/or administrative law or investigations or prosecutions, Royal Commissions, independent inquires, or similar processesprovide independent, accurate, and evidence-based advice to the Commissionerhave demonstrated critical thinking skills and abilities, andhave the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive the objectives of the DVSC.Your leadership style should be collaborative and engender trust and respect across the agency and when working with stakeholders. It will be important to be able to foster a positive workplace culture, provide a positive influence, lead by example and bring a strong commitment to public service.Additionally, the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours Secretaries expect of themselves and SES, and want to see in leaders at all levels of the APS. You will be expected to model and champion the behaviours outlined in the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours - DRIVE .Qualifications / ExperienceThe following is required:Relevant professional experience in government inquiries, hearings, reviews and/or investigations including but not limited to:Royal Commissions or independent reviewsown motion inquirescriminal, administrative or regulatory investigationsadministrative reviewscoronial inquires.The Following Is desirable:Tertiary qualifications and/or demonstrated experience in one or more capability areas relevant to the role (such as law).Relevant professional experience managing an in-house legal function.Flexible WorkAt PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of ‘how can we make this work?’ and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.Eligibility Employment with the DVSC is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 . Staff are required to comply with the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles .Citizenship - To be eligible for employment, and reduce potential outcome delays, Section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999 , specifies that people must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). Only in exceptional circumstances can this requirement be waived.Employment Suitability - Successful applicants are required to undergo a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check , and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS, or have not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.Security Clearance - The preferred candidate will be required to successfully obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting 2 level. Further information about security clearances can be found at the Australian Government Security Clearance Agency (AGSVA) website.Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) - Due to the nature of work the DVSC undertakes, some roles may require staff to obtain and maintain a WWVP registration card , as per the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 .How to Apply If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Submit an online application through the Apply link by 11:30pm AEDT on Monday, 24-Nov-2025. Before applying please obtain selection documentation by emailing admin@amandaorourke.com.au, quoting in the subject line Ref. No. 1181.The DVSC Uses a Range Of Selection Tools To Assist Us In The Hiring Process, These Are Chosen To Suit The Circumstances Of The Vacancy And The Business Environment In Which It Operates. We Uphold The Merit Principle And Our Selection Processes Are Designed To Select The Right Person For The Job. As Part Of Your Application, You Will Need To Provide:your current résumé (max four pages)the name and contact details of two referees, one of which should be your current supervisora statement of claims (max 1,000 words) describing how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this roleWhen crafting your statement of claims, ensure to highlight how your experience and skills make you the best candidate for the role, providing relevant examples and accomplishments that show your ability to deliver. For further assistance you can refer to the behaviours outlined in the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours - DRIVE .Contact Officer Amanda O’Rourke Executive Search on admin@amandaorourke.com.au.Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.Candidate Information Pack.docx Opens in new windowCandidate Information Pack.pdf Opens in new window