Assistant Director - Engagement and Support

 

 

1 | Community Grants Hub

CGHC - 004

Request for Labour Hire Contractors

Once completed, send the request form with the cleared business case to [email protected].

Business Support will issue the request to agencies. Generally, 3 to 5 days are given for agencies to return

requested number of CVs for review. Once received, CVs will be sent to the contact officer for action.

 

Date of Request: 3/09/2026 Contact Officer: Alyce Winter

 

Details of Staffing Request

Number of Positions 1 Classification EL1

Position Title/s Assistant Director - Engagement and Support

Location of Position/s Darwin

Service Categories

Job Mapping Matrix - CGH

Labour Hire Contractors

Corporate Services

APS Job Family Service Delivery

Length (approx.) 3 months

Start Date 21/09/2026 End Date 27/11/2026

Recruitment Type External Contractor

 

 

 

 

2 | Community Grants Hub

Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Declaration Requirements

The department has introduced new requirements regarding the engagement of labour hire personnel who

may be subject to a Voluntary Redundancy (VR) exclusion period following separation from an Australian

Public Service (APS) agency.

 

As part of your response, you must provide the following information for each proposed candidate:

 

• Whether the candidate has accepted a Voluntary Redundancy (VR) from an APS agency within the

last 12 months.

• The name of the APS agency from which the VR was accepted.

• The date the candidate's VR exclusion period expires.

 

Please note that, under departmental policy, individuals who are currently within a VR exclusion period are

generally not eligible for engagement as labour hire workers. Where a proposed candidate is identified as

being within a VR exclusion period, their engagement will typically not be supported unless exceptional

circumstances apply and the required executive approval has been obtained.

Recruitment agencies are responsible for ensuring that this information is accurately provided for all

candidates submitted for consideration.

 

 

Background

The Community Grants Hub (the Hub) is the Australian Government’s central grants administration

service, supporting a range of government agencies in the delivery of community grant programs. Working

on behalf of these client agencies, the Hub provides a streamlined, consistent, and transparent approach to

grants administration.

 

The Community Grants Hub comprises five branches:

• Hub Operations Branch

• DSS Grants Branch

• Client Grants Branch

• Community Sector Relationships Branch

• Inclusive Employment Delivery Branch

 

Collectively, these branches:

• monitor provider performance and manage risk to support compliance and maximise program

outcomes

• provide evidence-based advice and local insights to inform policy evaluation, program design, and

provider selection

• develop robust grant frameworks aligned with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles

• contribute to the delivery of Disability Employment Reforms procurement activities

• work in partnership with the Department of Finance to shape the future of whole-of-government

grants administration and supporting systems

• foster a positive workplace culture that values staff wellbeing, capability, and engagement

 

 

 

3 | Community Grants Hub

• collaborate with stakeholders to support initiatives under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap

and strengthen the community sector.

 

The Hub operates from locations across Australia, including Canberra (National Office), Brisbane,

Townsville, Orange, Bendigo, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.

 

Community Sector Relationships Branch The Community Sector Relationships Branch strengthens connections between policy and delivery through the State Manager network, while leading DSS grants reform and community sector improvement initiatives. It drives relational contracting, grants reform and engagement, supports key advisory bodies, and delivers specialised programs to improve outcomes for communities and the sector.

 

State Managers in the department are recognised as the senior leader in place. The Engagement and

Support teams undertake functions working directly with the State Manager as both senior leader on site and

as a senior strategic stakeholder. The team will also undertake strategic interactions with departmental policy

branches as part of the State Managers policy liaison function. Through the gathering and sharing of

intelligence, the State Network Branch helps to inform the development and management of evidence-based

policies and programs.

 

 

Position Description

The Engagement and Support roles strengthen the department’s connection to communities by fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement, translating local insights into advice, and supporting safe, inclusive and well-functioning State Offices.

 

Working directly to the State Manager, you will be required to work autonomously and lead a team to

undertake functions to support that role as senior leader on site and with strategic internal and external

engagement.

 

The Assistant Director is a pivotal role that has awareness of the longer-term strategic and operational

outcomes for the government and the department.

 

Working collaboratively with Engagement and Support teams in each State and Territory Office, you will also

have general oversight of a small corporate support team that ensures a consistent service offer to staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 | Community Grants Hub

Duties / Key Tasks

- work with the State Manager to engage, build and maintain relationships with key

stakeholders including state, territory and local governments, peak bodies, sectors,

commonwealth agencies and departmental policy areas

- lead the analysis of intelligence and trends across the state or territory relevant to the

community services portfolio to inform policy and delivery areas

- coordinate and undertake engagement with a defined policy division within the department

- support the State Manager as key representative in place including Ministerial visits, key

policy engagements and other events

- undertake functions to support the State Manager as senior leader on site to ensure a safe,

connected, and united office including aspects such as work health safety, business

continuity, corporate support functions and leadership team connectedness

- lead, develop and mentor staff in your small team to achieve relevant outcomes.

 

Core Capabilities

- engages and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities,

achieve outcomes, and facilitate cooperation

- effectively manages competing priorities and takes responsibility for the achievements of

self and team outcomes

- understands the strategic direction for the work area and develops work plans accordingly,

using relevant legislation and policy frameworks as a guide

- demonstrates strong communication skills and the ability to tailor communication style and

language according to the audience’s level of knowledge, skill, and experience

- demonstrates commitment to self-development and capitalises on opportunities to extend

skills and knowledge and accepts challenging new opportunities

- builds capability in a team environment through coaching others, providing performance

feedback, conflict resolution and encouraging career development.

 

Personal Skills and Attributes

 

The Assistant Director, Engagement and Support, requires leadership, organisational management abilities,

sound judgement, flexibility to operate in a variable environment, and high-quality communication skills.