The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. In a complex, challenging and changing security environment, our success is built on the imagination and intelligence of our team. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful in our mission, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.

We seek to reflect the diversity of the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value.

The opportunity

ASIO is seeking skilled Technical Architects who thrive on driving change and simplifying complexity to deliver centralised architecture. As a member of the Architecture and Change team you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of ASIO's technology landscape including the adoption of cloud. There are opportunities to be an embedded architect in ASIO technology delivery programs, where you will take architecture developed centrally into the program's context ensuring alignment between its solutions and ASIO's intended future state.

Your lived experience of day-to-day technology challenges will be critical in crafting forward-thinking architecture strategy and design to guide investment that aligns with our business objectives and technology strategy. You will be exposed to a constant variety of technology-driven initiatives, identifying risks and dependencies for an assured and cohesive approach to technology delivery. Your ability to foster collaboration across ASIO's technical cohort and build relationships inside the National Intelligence and Five-Eyes communities will be essential in driving partner-enablement.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

Role responsibilities

As a Technical Architect in ASIO, you will:

• Lead architecture outcomes from the centre to ensure a strategic approach to ASIO's investment in technology and the cohesive delivery of technology products and services.
• Ensure all proposed technical solutions align with ASIO's enterprise architecture and are consistent with future technology roadmaps and our planned transition to cloud.
• Coordinate and develop a repository of key architectural artefacts such as reference architectures, standards, guidelines, and reference models which serve as blueprints for technology product delivery.
• Drive and influence discussions around emerging trends, new technologies, and innovative approaches relevant to ASIO's mission and evolve our technology landscape over time to meet changing demands effectively.
• Identify and escalate architectural risks, issues and critical dependencies that threaten delivery of capability in ASIO.
• Build partnerships and collaborate with internal business and IT stakeholders along with external partners from other agencies within National Intelligence Community (NIC) and the Five-Eyes.

What you will bring

We invite applications from people with the following attributes:

• Demonstrated 7+ years of hands-on work experience in a system/platform technical design, software development or system/platform administration field.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication abilities, including communicating technical and architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in analysing business and technical requirements to provide strategic guidance and support decision making.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and delivering multiple lines of tasking in a resource constrained environment.
• An eagerness to learn and inspire others.
• Ability to think critically and respectfully contest ideas to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Resilience and drive to work independently with minimal supervision to achieve outcomes.

What we offer you

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

• A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance.
• Flexible working arrangements to assist you to maintain your work-life balance. (Please note, due to our unique working environment, work from home options are generally not available.)
• Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
• Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
• Tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Eligibility

To be eligible for the role, you must be:

• An Australian citizen.
• Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome and value applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable adjustments

Please advise us if you require any additional assistance in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace.

Location

These positions are located in Canberra. Relocation assistance is provided to successful candidates where required.

How to apply

Click on ‘Apply online' to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:

• A written pitch of up to 500 words using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.
• A current CV, no more than 2 pages in length, outlining your employment history, the dates and a brief description of your role, as well as any academic qualifications or relevant training you may have undertaken.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager.

All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages.

ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.

Closing date and time

Monday 24 March, 5:00pm AEDT

No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted.

The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect

We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for the Technical Architect role. Please be advised that our selection process is rigorous and extensive.

All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages themselves may include; application submission, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and panel discussion.

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for candidates to participate within all stages of the selection process. These opportunities may include reasonable adjustment to assessment methodologies to enable full participation. Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace.

ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process. Once complete, we will notify unsuccessful candidates but will not provide feedback on any aspect of the selection process.

Employment conditions

Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.

Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI)

In 2024, ASIO achieved the AWEI Gold Standard, recognising ASIO's inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was one of only 7 public sector employers, and the first Australian intelligence agency, to achieve this status.

The ASIO Diversity and Inclusion Strategy reflects ASIO's commitment and recognises the benefits of being a diverse and inclusive organisation. For further information about ASIO's Diversity and Inclusion networks, please visit: www.asio.gov.au/about/diversity-and-inclusion.

Enquiries

If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at [email protected] or phone 02 6263 7888.

More information

For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.