EL1 Assistant Director External Budgets

About the position

The External Budgets Team is outwards facing and focused on ensuring sufficient revenue is brought into the agency, in a sustainable way to allow AFSA to function optimally, through a combination of cost-recovery mechanisms and Cabinet processes. 

As the Assistant Director External Budgets in the External Budgets Team, you will be responsible for ensuring agency compliance with the Budget Process Operational Rules and Commonwealth Cost Recovery Guidelines as well as contributing to long-term fiscal strategy. Please review the Position Description below for additional information.

Key accountabilities

As the Assistant Director External Budgets, your duties will involve, but not limited to:

• coordinating the preparation of budget publications including Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) and Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES) in consultation with internal stakeholders, linked Commonwealth entities and the Department of Treasury;
• preparation of AFSAs forward estimates, including analysing, reviewing, and managing program financial estimates and costing models to support the preparing the department’s forward estimates, as well as maintaining timely and accurate estimates in the budget system (CBMS);
• facilitating government reporting requirements, including coordinating responses to Estimates Memoranda;
• developing and providing strategic and technical advice on complex and sensitive matters including, the Budget Process Operational Rules (BPORS), Ministerial submissions, Senate Estimate briefs and responses to Ministerial correspondence;
• if required, development of New Policy Proposals (NPPs), NPP costings and detailed costing justifications in accordance with the BPORS;
• leading engagement with the Department of Treasury and Department of Finance on budget-related matters;
• providing advice on policy, problem solving and issues management for internal and external stakeholders;
• ensuring in depth knowledge of and compliance with legislation, financial and administrative frameworks, government decision-making processes and agency guidelines and regulations;
• consider and effectively manage competing priorities and strategic directions when achieving team planning and project outcomes in line with agency goals and objectives;
• supporting the maintenance of AFSA’s cost recovery settings and Cost Recovery Implementation Statements in accordance with the Commonwealth Cost Recovery Guidelines;
• developing, maintaining, and updating financial policy documents and internal guidance;
• supporting the uplifting of corporate knowledge of budget processes and rules through the development of internal communications and training; and
• leading, and mentoring staff.

This section engages closely with external Commonwealth agencies on various budgeting and reporting matters, including the Department of Treasury and Department of Finance.  

This is an opportunity join a dynamic team that provides a critical function. 

Qualifications and experience

• Knowledge of the Commonwealth Budget, Cabinet processes (e.g., portfolio budget statements), the Budget Process Operational Rules and previous experience in the Commonwealth budget process;
• degree in accounting or commerce and relevant work experience;
• study towards (or completion of) the CA or CPA Program would be beneficial;
• previous experience in policy development and analysis would be beneficial;
• shows initiative and utilises sound judgement;
• ability to produce quality work within short timeframes;
• high attention to detail;
• applicants must be an Australian citizen; and
• the preferred applicant will be required to successfully obtain a Baseline security clearance.

All duties will be performed in accordance with: 

• the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles
• WHS obligations, taking responsibility for own health and safety and that of others
• AFSA’s risk management framework and relevant legislation, including guiding others to identify and mitigate foreseeable risks. 

Why AFSA?

You will enjoy excellent conditions including:

• Generous superannuation (15.4%)
• A modern work environment
• Access to Employee Assistance Provider
• Flexibility to balance work and personal life (including working from home arrangements and flexible start and finish times where applicable).

We are a workplace committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports staff to reach their full potential. We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability. At AFSA we encourage every employee balance their family commitments and personal interests with flexible working options.

Eligibility

Please note that this opportunity is open only to Australian Citizens. The successful applicant must have or be willing to undergo a security clearance to the level of Baseline as a condition of employment. To satisfy character requirements all AFSA employees must undergo a police records check.

Where a person has received a redundancy benefit from APS agency employment and their corresponding redundancy benefit period has not expired, they may be ineligible for employment. We encourage applications from peoples from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability.

How to apply

Applications close Sunday 13 July 2025 at 11:59 PM AEST.

Applications for this vacancy are submitted online through the AFSA careers portal. Further instructions on how to apply can be found on the advertisement webpage.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.

For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability