Australian Public Service Level 5

Work Level Description

Employees at this level work under general direction in relation to established priorities, task methodology and work practices to achieve results in line with the corporate goals of the Agency.

The work may include preparing preliminary papers, drafting complex correspondence for senior staff, undertaking tasks of a specialist or detailed nature, assisting in the preparation of procedural guidelines, providing or interpreting information for clients or other interested parties and exercising specific process responsibilities.

Positions at this level may have supervisory responsibilities over staff in service or processing areas of AusAID (such as in personnel, finance or office services areas).

Characteristics of the Work

An APS Level 5 employee in AusAID may occupy a position in one of the following areas: country programs, multilateral/community/humanitarian programs, corporate policy, program support or corporate services. A brief description of the type of work involved in each of these areas is provided below:

Country programs - involves providing administrative support to a country, regional or sectoral program. Typically this would involve, under general direction, researching and preparing papers, correspondence, briefs and/or submissions on relevant matters, managing the activity preparation phase including project design and assisting with background material for contract negotiations, financial management, liaising with stakeholders, and providing or assisting with the provision of advice to senior management, the Parliamentary Secretary or the Minister.
Multilateral/Community/Humanitarian programs - work may relate to: multilateral organisations (including development banks, United Nations and other international organisations), non-government organisations; and emergency and refugee programs. The type of work would involve researching information, preparation of less complex papers, and liaison with a range of stakeholders (eg. the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD, other Commonwealth Government Departments, UN agencies, media organisations).
Corporate policy - work may relate to organisational, development and sectoral policy. The type of work would involve researching information, preparation of less complex papers/briefs/submissions and liaison with a range of stakeholders.
Program support - involves providing services in regard to contracts including preparing tender documents in consultation with country program and other staff, responding to enquiries, assisting with contract negotiations, preparing contracts and seeking legal advice as appropriate, in program quality areas the work would involve researching information, preparation of less complex papers, evaluation and review, and liaison with a range of stakeholders.
Corporate services - this would normally involve participating in the delivery of any one of a number of corporate services. Corporate services include: services to the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary; provision of statistical reports; financial administration and preparation of budget documents; library services; internal audit, staff training and development; personnel services and information systems development. The type of work in most areas would involve research, coordination and/or preparation of materials, advice and information, liaison with a range of people and, under general direction, implementation of systems, policies and/or procedures.
Overseas posts - APS Level 5 employees are part of a small AusAID team that will comprise one or more senior employees. The type of work involves: examining requests from recipient authorities for development assistance; undertaking negotiations with authorities on the formulation and implementation of approved development cooperation programs; managing contracts with a focus on financial management and monitoring the delivery of Australian development cooperation and advising AusAID of its effectiveness.

Specific tasks

Specific tasks at the APS Level 5 in AusAID may include several of the following:

Tasks involving written communication skills:

coordinate and prepare briefings and correspondence for the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, AusAID Executive and Australian delegations;
investigate, analyse and present information with recommendations for decision by senior employees;
assist in the preparation of country or regional papers, policy papers, complex correspondence, briefs and submissions on a wide range of matters relevant to program management; and
contribute to the preparation of submissions, briefing material and speeches.

Tasks involving oral communication, representation and negotiation skills:

liaise with all areas of AusAID, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and external organisations including other Departments, non-government organisations and the private sector;
providing feedback to staff where necessary; and
assist in negotiations and liaison with relevant authorities and development cooperation interest groups on specific activities/issues.

Tasks involving supervising and/or training:

oversee the work of teams engaged on the maintenance of standard personnel records and the processing of salary-related allowances and variations;
provide feedback to staff where necessary;
provide on-the-job training to staff where necessary;
coordinate and direct the staff of a team engaged in personnel, Careers, finance or office service activities; and
train staff in the operations and techniques of processing work areas, for example, salaries, allowances, leave, compensation, superannuation and retirements.

Tasks involving formulating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing projects, activities or policies:

implement program/project activities and monitor the performance of projects;
assist in the development, review and interpretation of policies;
assist with the identification and development of forward policy directions and proposals;
participate in efficiency and effectiveness reviews of elements of the development cooperation program; and
participate in formulating objectives, specific proposals and priorities.

Tasks involving financial administration:

prepare project financial estimates, maintain financial records and monitor expenditure; and
exercise delegations.

Tasks involving assisting and supporting other team members:

assist in preparations for missions and delegations in Australia and/or overseas concerning specific activities/issues.

Tasks involving the provision of advice and/or services:

provide secretariat support to high level committees;
assist in the provision of advice on corporate management of the development cooperation program including budget considerations, corporate planning, program issues and personnel management; and
assist in the provision of Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary liaison services for AusAID.