The Role

ASD is seeking enthusiastic, engaging policy officers to mature ASD’s management of mission data in MD Division, and to support ASD’s transition to Cloud in Cloud Division. Working in a policy role in ASD, you will have an opportunity to develop key policies, support legislative initiatives, and inform enterprise programs. You will have the opportunity to research complex technical issues, analyse information, engage with a wide range of technical and non technical stakeholders, develop policies, and prepare strategic advice and input to senior management and stakeholders to influence decisions and drive outcomes.

The role would suit policy officers who have demonstrable knowledge of and experience in legislative frameworks and legislative reform processes, policy and assurance activities, and provision of advice for seniors. A technical or data management background is not required; however, the ability to engage with and translate technical matters at a strategic level is highly desirable.

Further information on the data professionals the policy officer will engage with can be found at: ASD Data.

This team is responsible for developing policy outcomes for ASD in line with legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Key Duties:

ASD5 Policy officer

• Gather, manage and administer data and information from a variety of sources.
• Understand analytical tools and knowledge of data governance to achieve business outcomes while keeping abreast of domain knowledge, data skills and awareness of data practices, procedures and trends.
• Support compliance with ASD policy, regulatory frameworks and data management requirements.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders to support advice and material.
• Contribute to initiatives to maintain and improve data governance, including use of knowledge, judgement and initiative to recommend courses of action.
• Accountable for accurate and timely completion of work, sharing own expertise and guiding less experienced employees, through working collaboratively, participating as an effective team member and building and sustaining effective relationships with stakeholders.

ASD6 Policy Officer

• Coordinate input and draft advice to inform legislative reforms and oversight, assurance, risk and audit activities.
• Draft policies, briefing, advice, planning documents and other materials for seniors, under direction.
• Support compliance with the ASD policy, regulatory frameworks and data management requirements.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders to deliver tailored complex recommendations and advice.
• Represent and advocate for the workgroup and ASD, using expertise, judgement and initiative to identify opportunities for continuous data governance improvement, where required.
• Accountable for accurate and timely completion of work, sharing own expertise with others, leading, guiding and mentoring less experienced employees.
• Understand system capabilities, analytical tools and knowledge of data governance to achieve business outcomes while keeping abreast of domain knowledge, data skills and awareness of data practices, procedures and trends.

About our Team

Mission Data (MD) Division within the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is responsible for providing the foundational data capabilities to support ASD’s functions under the Intelligence Services Act 2001. We do this via the provision of data platforms and services, management of ASD’s mission data, and providing complex analytic development and support, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning capabilities.

MD capabilities support Australia to defend from global threats and advance the national interest through the provision of foreign signals intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations, as directed by the Australian Government.

The Data Management Office, in MD Division, is responsible for:

• Supporting the Chief Mission Data Officer and Chief Data Officer in managing the end to-end health, governance and compliance of ASD's mission data.
• Engaging with domestic and international partners to progress a coordinated approach to data governance and interoperability.
• Providing secretariat support to the Data Management Standards Council, a decision making body responsible for the setting of ASD principles, standards and best practice to ensure data is managed effectively in a complex mission environment.
• Delivering project management and foundational business support to the branch.

Cloud Division within ASD is working to transform ASD’s ICT platforms, centralising platforms and digital environments through the development of cloud capabilities to empower ASD’s mission delivery. Cloud solutions are a key deliverable under REDSPICE.

The Governance and Business Operations team, in Cloud Division, is responsible for:

• Supporting Cloud Executive Officers in managing Cloud Division governance and compliance with ASD’s organisational policy.
• Coordinate input and draft briefings and other material for Cloud Executive Officers reporting to ASD’s Executive Committees.
• Delivering foundational business support to the branch.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is passionate, curious and keen to learn and apply their skills and experience in pursuit of the broader ASD mission.

Our ideal candidate for MDD and Cloud Division would:

• Possess the ability to think critically and strategically.
• Have a strong ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, technical and non-technical.
• Take responsibility and be motivated to learn and develop their skills.
• Have sound knowledge of data governance and where it fits from the perspective of systems management, compliance with legislative frameworks, and customer requirements.

ASD is seeking applicants to fill current and anticipated vacancies and to create a merit pool for future vacancies. In line with the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Direction 2022, upon completion of the recruitment activity, the merit pool will be available to locations across Australia.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 26 October 2025.

For further information, please review the Information Pack, reference ASD/08171/25 on www.asd.gov.au/careers.