Senior Team Leader - Personnel Security Vetting

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time 

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 08 ($132,185.00 - $143,883.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15932

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 14 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support work-life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

We are seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the Senior Team Leader – Personnel Security Vetting role.

Security, Capability and Resilience Command protects the AFP’s people, information and assets by strengthening enterprise-wide security culture and ensuring security risks are identified and mitigated.

Reporting to Coordinator Personnel Security Vetting, as Senior Team Leader, you will lead multi-disciplinary teams delivering enterprise-wide personnel security vetting services, including assessing and maintaining Commonwealth security clearances in line with the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).

You will drive and deliver capability, strategies, policies and practices that support the AFP, using sound judgement and strategic decision-making. You will identify where change could lead to business improvements and work with your teams to drive results. You will translate strategy into operations and take an agile approach to delivering security services across the enterprise.

You are expected to develop people, lead change, influence behaviours and drive innovation. You will foster a respectful, supportive culture that values diverse perspectives and talent, and deliver results consistent with AFP values, the Code of Conduct, the leadership philosophy, your Performance Development Agreement and any requirements below.

What will you do?

As a Senior Team Leader, you will oversee day-to-day operations across multiple personnel security vetting teams, managing resources to meet the Security, Capability and Resilience Command’s priorities.

Your responsibilities include leading multiple small teams to:

• Operationalise the strategic direction of the Security Command, to ensure key deliverables and priorities are met;
• Provide high-level analytical advice to guide complex vetting matters;
• Anticipate changes and issues impacting our people and take appropriate measures to minimise impacts and represent team perspectives;
• Develop improvements to work practices and policies while ensuring alignment with up-to-date policy and governance frameworks;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and actively pursue opportunities for cooperation and information sharing;
• Lead and mentor your Team Leaders to drive team performance, supported through clear direction, goal setting, support of the health and wellbeing of individuals, training and career development;
• Make informed strategic business decisions relating to budget, priorities, governance, risks, and resource management; while managing impacts on the Command;
• Apply contemporary business improvement and change management knowledge, to drive innovation, enhance service delivery outcomes and facilitate effective change; 
• Model critical behaviours to promote a workplace culture that aligns with AFP strategy, leadership philosophy and core values.
• Support your senior management through pro-active decision making on key issues and identified risk issues.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Experience in the production of written security and/or risk assessments
• The ability to prioritise tasks and meet tight timeframes, with minimal supervision, while delivering high level outputs and contributing to the outcome of the Security, Capability and Resilience Command
• Demonstrated high-level leadership

Desirable Requirements

 The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

• Well-developed analytical skills working with different systems and technologies
• Demonstrated and contemporary experience and/or qualifications in Government Security (Personnel Vetting)
• Experience in driving and managing change.

Additional Information

• This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra 

Selection Criteria

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity
• Technical knowledge and skills 

Application

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We’re all individuals and we love that. At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer: Bec French

Contact Officer Phone: 0251260302 ​

Contact Officer Email: bec.french@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 22/05/2026

To view our other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

www.afp.gov.au