Secretariat Director - APG

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT; NSW

AFP BAND & SALARY - Executive Level ($175,089.00 - $231,035.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15738

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 Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG)

Officially established in 1997, the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) is an inter-governmental organisation comprising 41 member jurisdictions, that works to ensure its members effectively implement the FATF Recommendations, which are the international standards for anti money laundering (AML), counter terrorism financing (CFT), and counter proliferation financing related to weapons of mass destruction (CPF).

The APG is the FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRB) for the Asia/Pacific region. The APG collaborates with the FATF, other FSRBs, and a range of international stakeholders to deliver a program of work that spans:

• facilitation of the adoption and implementation of the international standards for AML/CFT/CPF
• assessment of each member’s implementation of international standards through mutual evaluations (including training, planning, delivery, and follow-up)
• coordination and delivery of technical assistance to improve compliance and support effectiveness of AML/CFT/CPF frameworks
• research and reporting on identified and emerging risks and trends 
• engaging internationally in FATF standards setting and procedural processes 

The APG has a Secretariat which provides secretariat services and acts as a focal point for the APG, including supporting and administering the APG’s work programs, functions and key events. 

The APG Secretariat is hosted by the Australian government through the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The APG Secretariat is headquartered in Sydney, with a smaller office in Canberra. As the APG does not have separate legal status under Australian law, APG Secretariat employees are engaged under the AFP employment frameworks for the sole purposes of conducting APG business. 

The APG Secretariat is navigating profound shifts in its operating environment, with ambitious expectations for delivering high-tempo commitments under the Global 5th Round of mutual evaluations, while maintaining strategic continuity across the Secretariat’s operating model.

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Five weeks (25 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down
• 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 arrangement that provides 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?

APG Directors are responsible to a Deputy Executive Secretary for APG core activities within their designated programs including leading, managing and driving the professional development of staff.  

APG Secretariat Directors have a wide scope of responsibility and control. APG directors:

• lead and enhance programs to build and sustain stakeholder relationships to deliver APG programs, particularly ensuring connections between practitioners and policy makers. Directors actively promote an inclusive culture harnessing and building on APG’s diversity to connect and develop committed APG stakeholders.
• apply advanced leadership, risk management, enterprise management, AML/CFT practice management and stakeholder engagement to steer strategic direction, secure resources and empower APG teams to develop policy and program solutions.
• serve as authoritative sources of AML/CFT technical knowledge, including applied AML/CFT standards and FSRB technical issues. 
• share their technical knowledge and Asia/Pacific experience to influence regional agendas and to contribute strongly to FATF global policy development and monitoring.
• work with a high degree of autonomy and undertake substantial representation roles, including direct engagement with ministers and senior officials across differing national systems and disciplines.
• lead mutual evaluation processes which engage across the widest set of stakeholders, with highly technical deliverables that are subject to global external scrutiny and plenary presentation.
• initiate and carry forward work to reform and enhance the sustainability of the APG Secretariat’s technical services, workforce and budgets.  

What will you do?

APG Directors ensure that the Secretariat produces high quality work in a timely and relevant manner in accordance with APG business plans and budgets, to meet the APG’s strategic goals and members’ needs, as well as ensuring that key stakeholders (internal and external) are coordinated effectively to achieve this purpose. 

APG Directors apply their technical and leadership expertise to:

• lead and manage APG secretariat staff, including mentoring, staff development, and performance reviews
• develop and deliver APG business planning frameworks (prioritised programs and budgets), ensuring they align with Secretariat technical capability and capacity, and member needs and reflect monitoring and mitigating risks to the APG and the Secretariat’s technical services
• identify strategic issues of concern to the APG and provide a trusted source of technical advice on AML/CFT/CPF standards and systems; the regional ML/TF/PF environment; and FSRB processes and procedures
• actively manage the technical policy environment, including contributing to FATF and FSRB deliberations around interpretation, application, and refinement 
• represent the APG and contribute APG perspectives at regional and international forums 
• lead APG delegations on projects, missions and workshops  
• deliver mutual evaluation processes  
• design and deliver training and technical assistance to APG members

You can find more details on specific roles in the Candidate Information Pack.

Essential Requirements

• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• A proven track record of building and leading teams and managing complex programs of work
• Experience in effective management of a business unit, including an ability to align vision, priorities, budgets, and capabilities for sustainable effectiveness
• Excellent stakeholder managements and representation skills and experience at representing agencies in high-profile international settings 
• Technical expertise in the implementation of the FATF standards, including participation in a mutual evaluation in the FATF Global 4th or 5th Round 
• Experience of AML/CFT/CPF issues in an international organisation/secretariat, or in a government department with active engagement with FATF or an FSRB Secretariat
• Tertiary qualifications in finance, law, or related fields

Desirable Requirements

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

• Post-graduate qualifications in finance, law, international relations or related fields.

Additional Information

• National or International travel may be required.
• This role is an Executive Level role.
• This role is located in Sydney or Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in these regions.

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 against each of the selection criteria, taking into account the essential requirements, role description, 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 where applicable. 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.

If you are a non-Australian citizen:

• the recruitment gateways in relation to security requirements with our host agency, as well as visa requirements, can be complex
• should you be found suitable we will support you through this process, however, you should be aware that these processes could result either in a successful or unsuccessful outcome for your employment
• the APG Secretariat may only be able to offer you a non-ongoing opportunity for a maximum of two years.

The Secretariat is continuing to explore other (non-ongoing) options to engage international talent, including through secondments.

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:  David Shannon,

Contact Officer Phone:  +61 418110607, ​

Contact Officer Email:  david.shannon@apgml.org

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 03/04/2026

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

www.afp.gov.au