AIATSIS Hiring for Finance Officer Job at Canberra Full Time

Application Pack

Finance Officer

APS Level 6

Ongoing Full-time

$77,912 to $88,620

This is an Affirmative Measures opportunity open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait

Islander people only

Who we are

We are Australia’s only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history,

cultures, and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia. We house the

world’s most important and extensive collection of cultural information and material and

we provide leadership, publish and promote greater understanding and appreciation of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We create opportunities for people the

world over to engage with and be transformed by the knowledge, the culture and the

story of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. We are Australia’s national institution for

leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

What we do

We care for a priceless collection, including films, photographs, video and audio

recordings as well as the world’s largest collection of printed and other resource

materials for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. We undertake and encourage

scholarly, ethical, community-based research in a variety of sectors, including health,

native title, languages and education. Our publishing house, Aboriginal Studies Press,

regularly publishes outstanding writing that promotes Australian Indigenous cultures.

Our activities affirm and raise awareness of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.

What we are trying to achieve

Our functions are established under the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Studies Act 1989.

These functions are to:

develop, preserve and provide access to a national collection of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;

use that national collection to strengthen and promote knowledge and

understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage;

provide leadership in the fields of:

o Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research; and

o ethics and protocols for research, and other activities relating to

collections, related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

use (including use for research) of that national collection and other

collections containing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and

heritage;

lead and promote collaborations and partnerships among the academic, research,

non-government, business and government sectors and Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander peoples in support of the other functions of the Institute;

provide advice to the Commonwealth on the situation and status of Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

We are an Australian Government statutory authority. The Minister responsible for

AIATSIS is the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and it sits within

the portfolio of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

About the Program Area

The Business Services Team contributes to the operational and long-term sustainability of

the Institute. The Financial Reporting, Financial Budget, Facilities and Security teams work

independently and cooperatively, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer.

About the Role

The Finance Team is responsible for the financial management of AIATSIS including

internal financial control, Accountable Authority Instructions and financial delegations,

administrative procedures, accounts payable and receivable, asset management, and

external and internal budgeting and reporting.

The position sits within a small team delivering financial activities. The team is

committed to providing excellent, client focussed services to our staff and customers. The

successful applicant will need to demonstrate strong coordination, liaison and

relationship management skills. They will demonstrate technical capability and sound

judgement, including the ability to improve and streamline business processes.

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Reporting.

The key responsibilities of the role include:


assisting in the preparation of the financial statements and reports including

content for the Annual Report


overseeing the month end reporting process including preparing and reviewing

month end journals, reconciliations and variance reports


providing data to assist in the preparation of the Audit Assurance Committee

and Council papers and Portfolio Budget Statements


supporting the team in preparation of day-to-day finance activities including

accounts payable, receivable, travel, asset management, capital-spending

program, budgeting


performing quality assurance processes over financial and procurement activity

is accurately recorded and is consistent with contracts, budgets, guidelines and

accounting standards


assisting with system implementation changes and business improvement

activities


producing structured and ad-hoc reports, memos, policies, procedures and

analysis on financial performance for internal and external stakeholders


preparing taxation returns (including Business Activity Statements, FBT) and

providing advice on tax issues


providing timely and accurate advice and support to staff, management and

clients


building and maintaining effective relationships with contractors, consultants

and internal and external stakeholders, including representing the finance team

on internal and external working groups


contributing constructively to Institute wide projects including strategic and

operational plans.

This position will be filled using the Affirmative Measure provision, which allows for the

targeted recruitment of Indigenous Australians into the Australian Public Service. The

vacancy is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The filling of this

employment opportunity is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure under section

8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Our ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

practical experience and sound knowledge of Australian Government Financial

Framework


experience in the month-end and year-end processes


experience in the preparation of financial statements


ability to interpret and apply the Accounting Standards (AASB)


ability to interpret and apply the Public Governance and Accountability Act 2013

(PGPA Act) and Rules, Estimates Memoranda and other guidance as

disseminated by the Department of Finance


ability to show initiative and innovation, being self-motivated and applying

problem solving and numerical skills


excellent oral and written communication skills including well developed liaison

and negotiation skills


ability to work independently under limited direction with tight timeframes and

competing priorities


a Bachelors or Masters qualification in a relevant financial discipline or working

towards obtaining this qualification.

In addition, the successful candidate must have the following capabilities:


Understands Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business with the agency and

the outcomes the agency is responsible for delivering.


Makes careful observations to understand the underlying dynamics shaping an

issue.


Manages and resolves conflict with respect for individuals and their culture.


Builds and continues to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander communities.

What we offer

Opportunities for further education, professional development and study assistance will

be available. You can also expect personal development planning activities and to work

in a supportive learning environment.

We understand that you will work best when you have a healthy work-life balance and

can attend to your family commitments. We offer flexible working conditions, competitive

leave entitlements and health and wellbeing programs.

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Send

your completed application to [email protected] by 11.59pm on Thursday

22 September 2022.

• Referring to ‘Our Ideal Candidate’, provide a succinct summary (no more than

1550 words) outlining your skills, knowledge and experience demonstrating

why you should be considered for this role.

• Complete the enclosed application form.

• Attach your resume, covering your personal details, education and qualifications,

work and other relevant experience.

What should I include in my supporting statement?

Your application should be brief and align to the requirements specified in the vacancy

information published on our website. Generally, we do not use selection criteria for

applications unless they are specific technical requirements.

How will my application be assessed?

You will be assessed on your resume and your response to ‘Our Ideal Candidate’. Your

response should be succinct and demonstrate your ability to meet the requirements of

the job and should complement your resume. Your resume should be comprehensive

enough to show that you have the experience and/or qualifications to undertake the

duties and responsibilities of the job. Because this is an Affirmative Measures and

Identified position your resume should include your knowledge of and experience with

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures, issues, communities and engagement.

If you need assistance developing your response you may want to refer to the applying

for jobs on the Australian Public Service Commission website:

http://www.apsc.gov.au/working-in-the-aps/applying-for-jobs-in-the-aps

A selection decision may be based solely on your written application and referee reports,

and it is the quality, rather than the quantity of your written submissions that is the most

critical factor.

Your cultural competency will carry more weight than other factors in the assessment.

These requirements are based on the information provided to you as part of the job

opportunity.

Your referees may also be contacted at any stage of the assessment process to validate

your claims. For this reason it is important that you advise them that you have applied for

a role at AIATSIS, and that you feel confident they will be able to support your

application.

Who to contact

For enquiries about this job please contact Katrina Bennett on (02) 6261 4233 or

[email protected].

If you are experiencing any difficulties accessing or submitting your online application, or

you would like more information about this job please contact the AIATSIS Recruitment

Team on (02) 6246 1172.