ONI is seeking to create a merit pool for open source directors to fill current and anticipated vacancies across a range of analytical and enabling functions.

The Role

You will be an experienced leader with expertise in one of a range of issues including: China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, terrorism, disinformation, foreign interference or governance issues. You will lead a section across our critical open source functions.

As Director, Open Source you will:

• Lead multiple small, multi-classification teams of open source analysts to deliver timely, high quality open source intelligence.
• Lead the planning and prioritisation of open source collection and analysis activities in line with government intelligence priorities.
• Lead the development of open source tradecraft and innovative approaches to open source analysis and research, including social media exploitation, quantitative and qualitative analysis and relevant language skills.
• Work with data specialists to develop and utilise new and innovative tools and ways of working with data and artificial intelligence
• Develop and maintain productive networks within ONI and across the National Intelligence Community, and represent OSIB to wider Australian government, foreign and non-government stakeholders.
• Manage section budgets, ensure compliance with relevant governance frameworks and foster development of a positive, supportive and high-performing team culture.

The Team

Under the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018, ONI collects, interprets and disseminates publicly available information relating to matters of political, strategic or economic significance to Australia to support the government's intelligence priorities, the work of the National Intelligence Community (NIC) and allied partner agencies.

The Open Source Intelligence Branch (OSIB) functions as Australia’s centre of excellence in open source collection and analysis. Employees are linguistic, analytical and subject matter experts, and work closely with all-source analysts in ONI, policy agencies and counterparts across the NIC to support and complement their work.

Who are we looking for?

Our ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with an in-depth understanding of Australia’s strategic environment and a well-developed capacity to design teamwork plans which align with broader ONI, NIC and Government objectives. You will be adept at anticipating future requirements and risks and taking steps to ensure the team is well-postured to take advantage of new technologies.

You will be an expert communicator, with a proven ability to bring people together across agencies and foreign partners to deliver tangible outcomes. You will role model best practice approaches to resilience, integrity and inclusivity, with a commitment to promptly addressing behaviour that is inconsistent with ONI’s high standards.

You will be committed to achieving high-quality outcomes and proactively identifying opportunities to support ONI’s broader mission. You will continually improve team tradecraft and processes to deliver insightful analysis which meets Australian intelligence priorities.

Key Attributes

Our ideal candidate would have:

• Knowledge of one or more of the following regions or thematic issues as it relates to Australia’s interests:
• China
• Southeast Asia
• The Pacific
• Terrorism
• Disinformation
• Foreign Interference
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to provide guidance and support to staff, direct section planning and manage performance.
• Strong representational and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate cooperation.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in an accurate, unambiguous and timely manner.
• Strong understanding of Australia’s strategic environment, including awareness of current affairs and government priorities.
• Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills

Desirable Attributes

Desirable but not essential:

• Well-developed knowledge of open source tools, techniques and sources
• Well-developed knowledge of the evolving information landscape, including relevant information technology skills such as data analytics and social media analysis.
• Proficiency in one or more of the below languages:
• Arabic
• Bislama
• Burmese
• Fijian
• Indonesian
• Khmer
• Lao
• Malay
• Mandarin
• Portuguese
• Samoan
• Solomon Islands Pijin
• Tagalog
• Tetum
• Tok Pisin
• Tongan
• Thai
• Vietnamese

For more information please refer to the Candidate Information Kit.

Candidate Information Kit