Assistant Director, International Engagement (Canberra)

The Team The International Engagement (IE) section provides a broad range of services to support the AEC’s international partnerships and programs. IE works in partnership with electoral management bodies (EMBs) in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting them to deliver elections and building their technical capability. The AEC is committed to assisting EMBs in our region as part of our broader remit to defend democracy. The Opportunity As an Assistant Director, you will contribute to the leadership and delivery of priority outcomes for the section, including managing staff, providing strategic advice, and supporting the achievement of operational and organisational objectives. As Assistant Director in the International Engagement section you will contribute to the management and delivery of the section’s work program, including election and referendum assistance to foreign countries or organisations, support on democratic reform agendas in developing democracies, program management, and managing international deployments. On occasion, international travel, work outside of standard business hours, or additional duties at the time of an electoral event, will be a required component of the role. To excel you’ll have
- Proven ability to engage or manage stakeholder relationships across a diverse network, including international and domestic stakeholders, engage and communicate with influence, and negotiate program outcomes.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural setting and/or experience working in international development.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including preparing high-quality briefs, advice and documentation for senior executives on sensitive matters.
- Knowledge and experience in successfully setting priorities and delivering quality results on time and on budget in a project / program context.
- Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for the achievement of own and team outcomes, monitoring progress and following through to deliver quality outcomes.
- Ability to make and communicate decisions using good judgement, expertise, and knowledge, governed by legislation, regulations, or best practice principles.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise staff while developing capabilities and embedding professionalism. Desirable
- Relevant tertiary qualifications or experience working in international relations, international development, public administration or similar.
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, Australian electoral law and practice.
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, the Commonwealth Resource Framework.
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly gain knowledge of, the Australian and international security environment and understand implications in an electoral context. 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. Contact: Joanne Ridolfi, email_hidden Due Date: Sunday, 7 June 2026, 11:59pm AEST Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3rhmsm