The Australian Public Service Commission is pleased to offer a new leadership and talent development opportunity for Senior Executive Band 3 officers of the Australian Public Service to strengthen connections between policy development and service delivery.
Senior policy makers and advisers require a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience, including strong competence and understanding of government systems and architecture, policy, regulation, corporate management and service delivery. A priority of the government is efficient and effective service delivery, and both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet are keen to ensure that senior policy makers and advisers experience – first hand – the way in which client needs are addressed through direct service delivery outlets.
Connections enables Senior Executive Band 3 officers to gain experience in a front-line agency directly serving Australian citizens. Candidates will experience first hand the challenges and complexities of service delivery.
Participation in the program by senior policy makers and advisers will enable them to gain a better understanding of citizens’ experiences and needs, and develop improved policy–service delivery connections. This will assist in ensuring that citizens are considered paramount when agencies develop and plan the implementation of government policies, programs and services.
Apply now! Download our nomination form
Creating Connections with front line service delivery agencies is fundamental to our ability to develop good policy. Understanding first-hand how policy decisions really affect outcomes for people is essential knowledge for all those involved in the development and design of policy and programs. I strongly encourage your participation in this program.
Terry Moran
Secretary
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The fastest way to understand the complexities of service delivery is to try it yourself! The Connections program is a good way to get 'upfront and personal' with the issues that public servants in the field routinely face in meeting what can often be the complex and changing needs of the people whom we serve. I wholeheartedly encourage your participation.
Steve Sedgwick
Australian Public Service Commissioner
A very positive experience with practical learning.
Shane Carmody, DVA
It was a great experience – I think Band 3 should be encouraged to do it annually.
Renee Leon, AGS
The challenging and frequently quite confronting experiences that I was exposed to last week fully delivered on the intent of the Connections program. It was an excellent program that will inform my contribution to the government service for the rest of my career.
Andrew Wood, AFP
Candidates will:
Host organisations will:
Sponsoring agencies will:
I wanted to get a sense of what the daily issues facing a service delivery agency and how our policies were affecting peoples lives.
Bruce Hunter, DFHCSIA
I wanted to understand the unique challenge of service delivery in remote/indigenous communities to help shake future policies and programs.
Stephanie Foster, Infrastructure
To view first hand the realities and challenges facing policy and program delivery, and to learn from the experience
Ewan McDonald, DEEWR
The importance of connecting government services and working together in a holistic way to achieve a better life for people.
Ewan McDonald, DEEWR
The ability of any single agency to deliver its mandate depends on the strength of informal ties within the institution and in its ties to other government agencies.
Gordon De Brouwer, PM&C
The practical difficulties in delivering services in remote localities.
John Kovacic, DEEWR
(it) Reinforced the importance of good communication, co-operation between agencies in delivering good outcomes.
Jan Mason, Finance
I was very impressed by people’s capacity, professionalism and commitment to making a difference.
Bruce Hunter, DFHCSIA
Connections has attracted a high level of support from eleven host agencies that are providing placement opportunities. There are currently 112 different opportunities available, which stretch across a wide range of agencies and roles.
The Commission has twelve Band 3 candidates participating in the Connections pilot which is due to conclude in late March 2010.
Individual candidate briefings will be held with Jacqui Curtis, Group Manager of the Commission’s National Leadership and Programs Centre.
These valuable sessions provide candidates with an overview of the Connections program and determine candidate’s individual host agency preferences.
The Connections experience
Dr Gordon de Brouwer
Deputy Secretary Economic
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Transcript
New placements and resources will continue to be added to Connections over the next few months.
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For more information, please contact Paul Russell, Director, Program Delivery on 02 6202 3804 or email paul.russell@apsc.gov.au
Completed forms should be emailed to:paul.russell@apsc.gov.au
