Working in the Senate Development Program 2010
Page Menu: General Information | Memorandum of Understanding | Frequently Asked Questions |
Selection Documentation | Testimonials
General Information about the Parliamentary Service
The Parliament is supported by three parliamentary departments. The President of the Senate is responsible for the Department of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the Department of the House of Representatives. Together they have joint responsibility for the Department of Parliamentary Services.
General Information about the Department of the Senate
Department of the Senate
The Department of the Senate provides the Senate, its committees, the President of the Senate and senators with a broad range of advisory and support services related to the exercise of the legislative power of the Commonwealth. In supporting the operations of the Senate and its committees, the Department of the Senate provides services in four main categories: Senate support, committee support, senators' services and public education and awareness. The Department of the Senate is responsible to the Senate and all senators and maintains impartiality in serving senators from all political parties and independent senators.
The Department of the Senate has approximately 180 employees all of whom are based at Parliament House, Canberra. The department is covered by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.
 The Working in the Senate (WISE) Development Program
The Department of the Senate is offering the opportunity for up to three Australian Public Service (APS), Executive Level 1 (or exceptional APS level 6) staff the chance to experience parliamentary and political activity first hand without being political.
The WISE Development Program (the program) commenced in 2002 and, to date, twenty four APS staff from a variety of department and agencies have participated in the program. Past participants have found that the program has equipped them for development in more challenging and senior roles upon return to their home departments or agencies.
Successful candidates will be attached to the secretariat of one or more Senate committees, participate in departmental professional development programs and receive exposure to other areas of Senate and parliamentary operations. Program participants will have a senior Senate officer provide them with guidance and support during their time on the program.
The skills and knowledge program participants may obtain through the program will assist in building the foundation for career progression and professional development. The Department of the Senate is looking for outstanding candidates from a range of disciplines who are highly motivated with excellent writing skills, sound research and analytical skills, outstanding communication skills and good people skills.
Placements offer successful candidates a valuable opportunity in a high-profile environment with excellent professional development opportunities. The Department of the Senate has a strong commitment to the development of their people and program participants will have access to parliamentary specific training during their placement.
Working with Senate committees
Committee secretariats are closely involved in assisting committee members analyse and evaluate the multifaceted evidence coming from government, community and professional sources who seek to influence committees’ understanding of key issues of national importance. Attachment to the secretariat of a Senate committee, including a Senate estimates committee, will enable program participants to observe both the parliamentary and the political process at close quarters.
Committee staff are key researchers and writers of committee material. In their writing they must reflect the evidence gathered and the committees’ reactions to it, marshalling its strongest features into precise and accurate analysis, evaluation, option setting and ultimately policy recommendations.
Other opportunities
Program participants will observe or work in other areas of the Department of the Senate, for short periods of time, which offer insights to reinforce the attachment and development program. These will include procedural, programming and legislative scrutiny areas, and public information and education operations.
Training opportunities also exist to build program participants' understanding of the House of Representatives' processes and procedures.
Performance Assessment
Performance feedback will be given during the placement. Formal assessments of program participants' work performance against set work objectives will be conducted midway and at the end of the program in consultation with the program participant. At the mid year assessment, there will be an opportunity for the program participant's home department or agency supervisor to participate. Reports outlining the assessment findings will be forwarded to the program participant’s home department or agency.
Eligibility
Candidates must be working for Australian Government departments or agencies. The endorsement of the home department or agency must be gained as part of the application process. Applications without this endorsement will not be further assessed.
Candidates must be supported by their home department or agency which will undertake to release the successful candidates for the duration of the program (January - December) and pay their salary for the duration of the program.
Candidates are generally assessed on the basis of their application (including referee reports), experience and academic achievements.
Candidates from a wide range of disciplines or backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Disciplines may include, but are not limited to: economics, law, science, arts, industrial relations, environmental studies, accounting, statistics, commerce, social and public policy or politics.
Salary & Conditions
Conditions of service and salary will continue to be administered by the program participant's home department or agency. The Department of the Senate will pay for any additional hours worked or travel requirements, if necessary, during the program.
Terms of Employment
The terms of employment during your placement will be those of your home department or agency. However, you will be expected to comply with the Parliamentary Service Code of Conduct and Values including maintaining the confidentiality of Senate committee business in line with the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987. If any dispute relating to your employment while you are participating in the program, you will be taken to be an officer of the Parliamentary Department and that Department's dispute resolution processes will be applied as far as possible.
Selection Process
Applications are subject to a merit selection process. As a minimum requirement candidates must:
- be an Executive Level 1 (or exceptional APS 6) employee with an Australian Government department or agency;
- hold, or working towards, a bachelor degree, as a minimum from an Australian university or a degree recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition as equivalent; and
- be an Australian citizen.
To be successful in obtaining a placement, candidates will need to possess:
- proven high level analytical, research and evaluation skills;
- demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills;
- a proven ability to contribute ideas and demonstrate initiative and flexibility;
- proven ability to organise, schedule, prioritise and complete assigned tasks; and
- a genuine interest in parliamentary procedure and practice.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2010 Parliament of Australia Graduate Program are now closed.
Further Information
A briefing session will be conducted by senior officers of the Senate Department for interested candidates. This will be conducted at Parliament House, Canberra on 22 September 2009 from 2.30pm. The session will run for approximately 1 hour and may include a brief tour of the department.
To register an interest in attending this session please email recruitment.sen@aph.gov.au by close of business 14 September 2009.
For further information please contact:
Emily Blair
Assistant Director, Human Resource Management
Department of the Senate
Telephone: (02) 6277 3475
Email: emily.blair@aph.gov.au
Website feedback: web.senate@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed 27 August 2009 by the Senate Web Administrator
© Commonwealth of Australia
Parliament of Australia Web Site Privacy Statement
Images courtesy of AUSPIC
|
