Executive Assistant

• Ongoing and Non-ongoing
• $93,114 - $102,477 plus 15.4% Superannuation
• Canberra ACT

Here at the MDBA we’re the steadfast stewards of the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers. We work towards a resilient Basin through the extremes of our changing climate, and whose communities are ready for their future.

Join us in our stewardship to shape the future of the Basin for the benefit of all Australians.

We are seeking people who are committed to taking a whole-of-Basin view to ensure all social, economic, environmental and cultural perspectives are considered as we protect our rivers for generations.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is an independent statutory agency in the Australian Government, which operates under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) (the Water Act). We work with Basin states, industries and communities to manage the Murray–Darling Basin’s water resources.

The MDBA aims to achieve a healthy working Basin for the benefit of all Australians. The Murray–Darling Basin contains a rich diversity of natural environments that are unique in Australia and the world. The Basin is also crucial to Australia’s economy and home to 2.3 million Australians, including people from over 50 First Nations. How we manage the Basin as a whole connected system, manage our water carefully, and protect it for future generations is set out in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The position:
Our Executive Assistants provide administrative support to senior executive across the MDBA. These roles are responsible for managing competing priorities, sensitive information, and supporting the effective operation of the executive’s Office. Our EAs work closely with our Executive Officers, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to deliver outcomes.

Executive Assistants manage their executive’s schedule, including prioritising meetings based on urgency and making travel arrangements for engagements across the Murray-Darling Basin. Executive Assistants are the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including other Executive Assistants, providing guidance on processes and ensures tasks are completed on schedule and to a high standard.

The Executive Assistant role requires a candidate who has strong communication skills and sound judgement to handle sensitive information, whilst conducting their work with professionalism, discretion and tact. The role also requires the candidate to have a high degree of autonomy, initiative, and strong organisational and time management skills to meet competing demands. The candidate will have the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with dispersed stakeholders and adapt to changing priorities.

Your key responsibilities in this role are to:

• • Proactively assist and pre-empt the priorities for your Executive.
  • Work closely with the Division’s Executive Officer in providing a wide variety of administrative and coordination support.
  • Undertake the pro-active management of a busy calendar, schedule meetings, proactively manage conflicting appointments and prioritise meetings based on importance and urgency.
  • Organise and prepare for meetings, including collation and dissemination of materials, drafting agenda’s, correspondence, talking points, briefs, and other communications.
  • Assist with development of reports and presentations to support your executive, this includes tracking and coordinating the clearance of reports in a timely manner.
  • Screen and manage incoming emails and information, prioritising, and drafting responses as required.
  • Manage, book and organise complex travel ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
  • Acquit credit card expenses and support procurement processes including drafting of contracts and spending proposals.
  • Act as the point of contact between the executives, staff and internal and external stakeholders.
  • Liaise with stakeholders responding to their needs as required.
  • Maintain the current filing and database system, and looking for ways to improve current systems.
  • Work with the broader Executive Assistant cohort to improve the flow of information and efficiency of the MDBA.
  • Provide guidance and support to other Executive Assistants and teams across the Agency to coordinate work and certify outputs on behalf of your Executive.
  • Undertake other additional and/or alternative duties as required by your Executive.

What we offer you:

• • The opportunity to contribute to projects that shape the future of one of Australia’s greatest natural assets and protect it for future generations.
  • Varied, challenging work that applies knowledge and expertise to support critical water resource management within the Australian community.
  • Competitive remuneration packages and flexible working arrangements which support work-life balance.
  • Being part of a smaller agency with a strong focus on its connection with people.
  • Being part of a professional, committed, and friendly team of people.
  • Being part of an organisation that values and partners with First Nations peoples, guided by an innovative Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
  • Opportunities to travel across the Murray–Darling Basin and engage with local communities and water authorities.
  • A range of healthy lifestyle provisions, including access to an employee assistance program (EAP), healthy lifestyle allowance and annual flu vaccination program.
  • Pathways for professional development, study assistance, and career progression, with opportunities to work locally in our regional offices while contributing to national outcomes.

How to apply:
If this opportunity sounds like it’s right for you, submit an application now!

As part of your application, you’ll need to provide:

• • Your CV, including contact details of two referees.
  • A statement of claims, or response to selection criteria, telling us how your skills, knowledge, and experience make you suitable for what we are looking for.

Jobs in the Australian Public Service are classified according to expected levels of work and responsibility. For information about the expected capabilities and behaviours required, refer to the APS Work Level Standards (WLS) and the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) on the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) website.

Your statement of claims (or response to selection criteria) should provide examples which demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the position you are applying for. This is an important part of the application process, as it is your opportunity to communicate to the selection panel that you have the abilities, experience and qualities to be shortlisted for the position.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Australian Public Service (APS) recruitment process, applying for a job can be intimidating. The APSC has published a resource Cracking the code, which provides helpful information to candidates, including on how to find a job in the APS, writing applications, employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and for people with disability, and what to expect if you’re invited to an interview.

Tell me more:
Expectations of candidate use of AI tools are outlined in the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Where a role has been advertised as ongoing and non-ongoing, non-ongoing opportunities will be offered subject to business needs. Where a non-ongoing opportunity is offered, the role will be filled as a specified term vacancy, for an initial period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

For more information regarding this opportunity contact Bridie O'Sullivan, Bridie.O'Sullivan@mdba.gov.au.

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