The Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is central to the independent oversight of the Australian intelligence and security agencies. The Inspector‑General is an independent statutory office holder with oversight of the activities of Australia’s intelligence and security agencies to ensure they act legally and with propriety, comply with ministerial guidelines and directives, and respect human rights. The work of the Inspector-General and his staff provides assurance to ministers, the parliament and the public that these agencies are using their powers as intended.

We are a small portfolio agency, proud of our contribution to the national interest. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset – we recruit and retain highly capable, motivated professionals with high levels of integrity and personal drive; and we invest in, and value, their development. Further, we offer a rewarding, positive, and inclusive environment, empowering staff to work flexibly in their contribution to the achievement of agency goals.

The Opportunity

The Director, Security leads multi-disciplinary teams covering all aspects of security as well as the Office’s ICT and Information Governance functions. The role is also responsible for providing corporate leadership and advice to the Office’s Executive.

The Director, Security, is an experienced EL2 who plays a critical role in managing the Office’s Security practices to meet organisation and strategic objectives. As a senior leader, the Director, Security provides strategic advice and direction, translates strategy into operational goals and engages peers and team members to deliver service excellence and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of Director, Security include:

• Provide strategic leadership of the Office’s protective security program including the provision of advice on the Office’s personnel and physical security risks and the insider risk program as well as implementing appropriate and proportionate strategies to effectively manage security risks.
• Lead the development and implementation of a range of security policies to meet PSPF and other government compliance requirements across personnel and physical security functions.
• Maintain a contemporaneous understanding of the counter-intelligence threat and broader security environment in which the Office operates.
• Oversee the development and delivery of the Office’s insider threat capability including security-related training to staff.
• Foster an effective security culture through education and engaging personnel in accordance with the evolving security environment.
• Identify, investigate, analyse and respond to security incidents, advice and support to the leadership and staff.
• Supervise psychological services and the inter-related factors for insider threat considerations.
• Oversee specialists in ICT to ensure a user-friendly ICT ecosystem that meets and anticipates the Office’s needs and meets all required ICT standards.
• Oversee the Information Governance function and its supporting architecture across the breadth of the Office’s information management responsibilities.

Desirable skills

• a highly developed understanding of the national security environment and intelligence legislative frameworks including the PSPF
• a strong ability to accurately interpret and analyse information to inform decision making and/or deliver outcomes
• high levels of discretion and professionalism as they pertain to all aspects of security.

Appointment to our Office depends on the outcome of an Employment Suitability Assessment, and appointment and ongoing employment are subject to a Positive Vetting clearance being granted and maintained.

The successful candidate must be located in Canberra or willing to relocate. The IGIS offers relocation assistance to new employees relocating to Canberra from interstate.

For full details on the role, please refer to the Candidate Information Kit on the IGIS careers recruitment portal.