Executive Level 2
Work Level Description
Employees at this level, usually under broad direction of a Senior Executive, control a section of the Agency involved in the administration of a specific program, activity or corporate support function to achieve a result in line with the corporate goals of AusAID. Team leadership, including management of staff, is the major feature of the work.
The tasks undertaken are of a complex nature encompassing a significant element of total Agency operations. Positions at this level my have significant independence of action with accountability and responsibility for outcomes arising from the use or allocation of resources within the constraints or guidelines laid down by Senior Executives.
Decisions taken at this level may have significant impact on the day-to-day operations of the work areas and significant effects elsewhere within the Agency. Delegations exercised at this level may involve being the final authority in the process of approving the expenditure of funds, undertaking specific action in line with the policy of the Agency, or reviewing any previous action or decisions in the work area.
Characteristics of the Work
An employee at the Executive Level 2 in AusAID may occupy a Section Head (Director) position in one of the following areas: country programs, multilateral/community/humanitarian programs, corporate policy, program support, corporate services or an overseas post.
Specific tasks
Specific tasks at the Executive Level 2 in AusAID may include several of the following:
Tasks involving supervision and leadership:
- provide feedback to staff where necessary;
- lead a small team in the development of policy;
- manage the work of a Section; and
- manage staff involved in the delivery of program or corporate services.
Tasks involving written communication skills:
- coordinate, prepare and/or oversee complex briefings and correspondence for the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, AusAID Executive and Australian delegations;
- process representations to the Minister, oversee preparation of replies to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial Briefing notes, Cabinet submissions and correspondence; and
- prepare country or regional papers, policy papers, complex correspondence, briefs and submissions on a wide range of matters.
Tasks involving oral communication, representation and negotiation skills:
- represent the Agency at meetings, conferences and seminars;
- represent the Minister and Agency in major complex matters before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and other external administrative review bodies;
- negotiate and liaise with relevant authorities and development cooperation interest groups on specific activities/issues;
- negotiate and maintain liaison at senior levels with counterpart officials and representatives concerning the formulation and implementation of development cooperation programs;
- liaise with other bilateral development cooperation donors, regional bodies, and multilateral development cooperation agencies on the programming/delivery of development cooperation within the country/region; and
- prepare and deliver occasional lectures and talks.
Tasks involving financial management:
- exercise financial delegations;
- decide on important matters relating to Agency accounting, estimating, procurement and expenditure control; and
- liaise with Department of Finance and Administration in relation to the development of financial programs and budget preparation and reporting.
Tasks involving formulating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing projects, activities and/or policies:
- evaluate the results of programs or activities and achievements against stated objectives;
- formulate program/project/policy objectives, specific proposals and priorities;
- evaluate and review requests, information and proposals from recipient governments for Australian development programs, projects and technical assistance;
- monitor and assess the delivery of all forms of Australian development cooperation and provide advice on its effectiveness;
- develop, review and interpret policies;
- formulate proposals and advice for the Minister or Parliamentary Secretary on matters relevant to the work area;
- develop business plans and/or strategies;
- monitor the appropriateness of organisational design, classification profiles and staffing levels throughout the Agency and recommend or implement variations where necessary; and
- formulate policies and plans for the efficient operation of training and personnel development practices throughout the Agency.
Tasks involving the provision of advice and/or services:
- provide advice to Senior Executives on financial or administrative matters affecting the Agency;
- advise AusAID management on: the impact of development cooperation programs; the importance to national/regional planning programs; the desirability of Australian participation and any unexpected difficulties/problems;
- provide advice on developments likely to affect the cost and scheduling programs/projects.
