Senior Governance Officer

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is seeking a motivated and highly organised individual to fill the role of Senior Governance Officer. The successful candidate will support the delivery of the Governance and Legal Section’s functions. The role will include managing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and privacy matters, as well as supporting other work of the section.  

The successful candidate will be able to apply sound judgement, manage competing priorities and communicate clearly with a range of internal and external stakeholders. They will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team, and will bring a flexible, practical and service-focused approach to supporting NHMRC to meet its statutory, governance and integrity obligations. 

What we offer

What truly makes us a great place to work? It is our people and the culture we have built together. With an 87% response rate in the 2026 APS Employee Census, NHMRC employees reported high levels of pride (90%), commitment (94%) and connection to our purpose (95%). NHMRC scored above the APS average across key employee experience measures, including wellbeing, innovation, communication and speak up culture. At NHMRC, you will find meaningful work, supportive leadership, flexible ways of working, and a collaborative environment where people can thrive and make a difference.

Our roles come with broad responsibilities and minimal hierarchy, making it easier to get things done. You will be part of a small, inclusive, and high performing team with a strong, supportive culture.

We offer:

• A truly flexible workplace culture.
• A dynamic, diverse and supportive team across Melbourne and Canberra.
• Wellbeing programs including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year and a workplace that genuinely cares.
• Generous recreational leave, personal leave, cultural leave, parental leave and paid end-of-year shutdown.
• Study assistance and professional development opportunities that align with your career goals.
• Opportunities to be trusted to lead high value projects with the freedom to innovate and the support to grow.
• Strategic exposure where you can engage directly with senior leaders and contribute to decisions that shape our future direction.

About the Branch

The Corporate Operations Branch comprises four sections that play key strategic leadership and advisory roles and deliver operational support to NHMRC across: People, Property and Security; Finance; Governance and Legal, and Communications, Parliamentary and Events. The four Directors in Corporate Operations Branch operate under limited direction, reporting directly to the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (SESB2). 

About the Section

The Governance and Legal section supports strong governance at NHMRC through the provision of in-house legal services across a range of legal matters. It also ensures NHMRC meets its obligations in relation to privacy, freedom of information requests, external complaints and public interest disclosures and effective fraud and corruption control. 

As the Senior Governance Officer, you will support the delivery of NHMRCs governance and accountability functions, including but not limited to:  

• Responding to FOI requests (including drafting decisions, providing timely and high-quality advice and redacting documents), ensuring statutory timeframes are met in line with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)  
• Providing guidance to decision-makers on FOI process and legislation  
• Performing other functions of the section, such as privacy work, managing complaints, and development and review of policies and processes  
• Communicating with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, providing prompt, efficient and personalised service, and  
• Drafting written work, such as briefs and reports for the Executive, ministerial briefings, committee papers and correspondence. 

Core capabilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Performing other functions of the section, such as privacy work, managing complaints, and development and review of policies and processes  
• Communicating with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, providing prompt, efficient and personalised service, and  
• Drafting written work, such as briefs and reports for the Executive, ministerial briefings, committee papers and correspondence. 

Highly desirable

The following will be highly regarded:

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of responding to FOI requests, or the ability to quickly acquire this. 

How to apply

You will need to complete the online application form and provide:

• a short pitch (no more than 750 words) explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to the role
• a current Resume
• contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current supervisor or manager.

NHMRC is an inclusive and diverse employer that supports gender equity and diversity in leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including People with Disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, mature age people and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

To be eligible for a position at NHMRC, you must be an Australian citizen and be able to provide evidence of this. If successful, you will also be required to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.