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 Industrial Elections and Ballots Program (IEB) is part of the Roll, Services and Foundations Branch of the AEC. IEB events, including Industrial Elections, Protected Actions Ballots (PABs) and Fee-for-Service electoral events, are conducted by two dedicated operational delivery teams based in Essendon Fields, Victoria and Haymarket, New South Wales.
Work is conducted in a collaborative team environment with staff members supporting each other to conduct individual events and deliver special projects. IEB provides team members with an opportunity to develop their election management skills and knowledge in a fast-paced operating environment, which can prepare them for other employment opportunities across the AEC.
The Opportunity
The Project Officer is the primary support person for the planning and delivery of a small number of assigned complex industrial elections. The Project Officer also contributes to the successful delivery of other less complex industrial elections and ballots, which are part of the Collective Case Management Model.
Most elections are conducted via a secret postal ballot, but some require attendance at special meetings of registered organisations (unions and employee associations). The Project Officer may, from time to time, travel to various parts of the country to conduct these elections.
This is an agile position that requires engagement and collaboration with other members of the IEB Team to ensure that electoral events are successfully delivered. This position will also undertake project-based activities that contribute to longer-term initiatives and support the successful delivery of a forward year work plan. The amount of time dedicated to the support and delivery elements of this role will be as directed by management and will change as the priorities of the Industrial Elections and Ballots Program necessitate.
To excel you’ll have:
- Demonstrated ability to successfully plan, co-ordinate and deliver complex events and/or complex projects within set timeframes, including the ability to effectively prioritise tasks and efficiently utilise resources.
- Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and apply complex election rules; or the ability to develop this knowledge and capability.
- The ability to successfully apply different vote counting systems, deliver accurate and reliable results, as well as explain election results; or the ability to develop this knowledge and capability.
- Strong communication skills, including a proven ability to utilise audience specific written and verbal communications to cater to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to accuracy of information.
- Ability to competently use various internal AEC systems to plan, program, deliver, and keep official records related to electoral events.
- Attention to detail in drafting and checking highly sensitive documents related to industrial elections.
- Knowledge of, or ability to, quickly gain knowledge of Australian electoral law and practice.
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.
