Support Officer – National Committees for Science

Posted: 06/02/2025
Closing date: 28/02/2025
Job type: Ongoing
Full time / Part time: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Canberra
Salary classification: Level 3(1) $73,723 (including up to 17% super)

About the Australian Academy of Science

The Australian Academy of Science is a national learned academy of distinguished Australian scientists. For over 70 years the Academy has championed science for the benefit of all.

We are a non-government not-for-profit organisation convening the country’s leading experts from broad scientific fields to provide independent evidence-based advice and advocacy that informs government policy, aids decision-making across industry, guides public debate, supports STEM education outcomes and contributes to global science.

The Academy’s offices are located in Canberra in the ACT, operating out of two iconic heritage listed buildings, the Shine Dome and Ian Potter House in the centre of the city.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the Academy Fellows and employees live and work, and to their elders, past and present.

Our culture

The Academy reflects organisational values that earn and sustain trust. The Academy is independent, non-partisan and ethical; acts with integrity, honesty, and transparency; supports diversity and inclusion; and is respectful of sources of knowledge, such as those of First Nations people.

We offer a safe, flexible and inclusive work environment and strive to create an environment that connects, respects and values staff. We promote a culture that supports collaboration, initiative and ingenuity, investing in staff to nurture and develop them as professionals.

Employee benefits

The Academy strives to provide its staff with exceptional benefits and support. Staff benefits available to staff at the Academy include:

• free parking in the city
• work in a beautiful heritage site and surrounds
• up to 17% superannuation
• options to salary sacrifice
• flexible working hours
• paid Christmas closedown
• generous employee assistance program
• professional development support.

About the role

The Support Officer for the National Committees for Science assists the National Committees for Science team in a broad range of governance and committee support activities. The team sits within the Academy’s Policy and International portfolio.

Responsibilities include committee governance, membership and meeting management, maintaining stakeholder databases and providing general support to team members. This position is also responsible for compiling and developing team administration processes and systems, including maintaining and developing documentation.

The successful applicant will need to be highly efficient, with a flair for organisation and an ability to interact confidently and professionally with scientists and other stakeholders. The position will suit someone who thrives in a busy and professional environment, who has experience or an interest in organisational governance and processes, who provides support for small, busy teams, and who works with multiple stakeholders.

Duties and responsibilities

Reporting to the Head, National Committees for Science and working closely with the Manager for Governance, Fellowship and Compliance:

1. Organise meetings of the National Committees for Science, including polling for and setting of meeting dates, liaising with the chair to develop agendas, uploading and distributing papers, and minute taking.
2. Manage the membership of the National Committees for Science, including formatting and drafting correspondence, obtaining necessary approvals, and maintaining membership details and committee listings.
3. Proactively generate and maintain governance, procedural and administration processes, along with relevant documentation and systems supporting the committees.
4. Maintain and contribute to a database of national and international stakeholders using the Academy’s stakeholder relationship management system and for monitoring engagement, outcomes and impact of committee activities, including memberships of international organisations.
5. Monitor and action correspondence to the National Committees for Science, including the general email account.
6. Update and maintain the National Committees for Science and related sections of the Academy’s website.

Qualifications and experience

• Experience with or interest in developing proficiency in web-based software and programs, such as Office 365 and Salesforce.
• Experience working in an administrative capacity in a professional team.
• Background knowledge and experience working with a not-for-profit or committees desirable.

Selection criteria

1. Demonstrated ability to provide administrative support across a professional team.
2. Experience arranging and coordinating meetings and/or events.
3. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
5. Initiative and self-motivation, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines.
6. A commitment to workplace diversity, workplace participation, WHS and equity principles.

Contact details

Further information on the position is available from Meaghan Dzundza, Head of National Committees for Science at hr@science.org.au

Applications

If this sounds like a great fit for you, please apply including:

• your resume
• a statement of claims summarising how you believe your skills and experience would be a good fit for the role (max 2 pages please).

Apply via our HR Management system.

Please note the Video Interview is OPTIONAL and will not be used for shortlisting purposes.

Applications close 5pm AEDT Friday 28 February 2025

To be eligible to apply for this role you must be legally permitted to work in Australia. The Australian Academy of Science values social and cultural diversity. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people who identify as LGBTIQ+; and people with disability. The Academy is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and the provision of a safe and healthy work environment. The Academy supports and promotes flexible work practices.