ATTACHMENT 1
APPLICATION PACKAGE
DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND THE ARTS
Our ref: 16952-03
30 November 2013
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your enquiry about the Director General, Department of Culture and the Arts position advertised on Saturday 30 November 2013. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm Western Standard Time on 16 December 2013.
The West Australian Government is an equal opportunity employer. The selection process conducted by this office will be undertaken in a way that ensures all applicants are treated fairly and equitably and that the most meritorious candidates are nominated as suitable for appointment.
Additional information in respect to the position and the process is also attached. This information is included to assist you in preparing your application in a manner that will allow the selection panel to readily assess whether you meet the criteria for the position and therefore should be interviewed. Further information on the
Department of Culture and the Arts can be found at http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/
The successful applicant for the position will become a member of the
Government of Western Australia’s Senior Executive Service, which includes senior managers holding strategic positions within the Western Australian public sector. The Service supports Government with a whole-of-government approach to critical management issues, and benefits members through broad participation in Government, and with opportunities for mobility and development.
For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Mr Mal Wauchope, Public Sector Commissioner on (08) 6552 8551. If you require any further information about the selection process, please contact Dr Ricki Hewitt on
0417 998 147.
I thank you for your interest in the position.
Aaron Pittock
MANAGER
CEO RECRUITMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SECTOR
APPLICATION AND PROCESS GUIDE
This information is intended to assist applicants to address selection requirements for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) positions, which are part of the Senior Executive Service (SES). It also provides an overview of the Chief Executive Officer Selection process.
THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE (SES)
Membership of the SES in Western Australia includes CEOs appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Public Sector Management Act 1994, and holders of most senior management positions (usually classified at Level 9 and above).
SES members hold strategic positions within the Western Australian public sector. These positions have a leadership role within their own agencies and the wider public sector.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY
The Western Australian Government is committed to equal employment opportunity and has released an Equity and Diversity Plan. A priority of this plan is to improve the diversity of the public sector workforce at all levels to improve equity and service delivery.
Applicants are asked to provide some statistical information to assess achievements of the Plan. This information is confidential between each applicant and the Public Sector Commissioner. Only aggregated data (that cannot identify any one applicant) is used for determining if the objectives of an equitable and diverse workforce are being achieved.
Please enclose a completed copy of the attached form for statistics on Workforce Diversity. There is no compulsion to complete and return this form.
YOUR APPLICATION
Public Sector officials are required to demonstrate integrity in all professional spheres. Chief executive officers as leaders in the public sector must maintain the highest levels of integrity in both their professional and private activities. Applicants for chief executive officer positions need to be aware that all claims in job applications will be comprehensively tested. Any misrepresentation of qualifications or other claims in applications for chief executive officer positions, whatever the apparent reason, may be reported to the Corruption and Crime Commission under section 28 of the Corruption and Crime Commission Act 2003
Your application must contain:
· Your resume or curriculum vitae.
· A brief statement demonstrating your ability to meet the competencies for the position.
· Photocopies of your qualifications (not originals).
· List of referees.
· Diversity statistical information (optional).
It is helpful if the application is not bound.
PREPARING AN APPLICATION
Applicants will be assessed on the work-related criteria specified in the
Job Description (attached).
A number of selection techniques will be used during the selection process to verify claims made in your application.
Private sector people are encouraged to apply and will be assessed on their ability to meet the competencies outlined in the selection criteria, which does not necessarily require direct public sector experience.
It is advisable for applicants to demonstrate (either through their resume, curriculum vitae, or separate brief statement) their skills, knowledge and experience and that they have the ability to meet all the competencies specified relative to the particular functions and objectives of the agency.
You may respond to each individually, however each response should be concise and to the point. As a guide, comments against each specified requirement should be restricted to half to one page in length.
SUBMITTING A RESUME (CURRICULUM VITAE)
A resume or curriculum vitae will assist the selection panel in deciding whether you meet the work-related criteria. A resume should include relevant qualifications, and a brief work history, which provides a statement about your major responsibilities in each position. Information about personal interests may also be included but is not essential.
QUALIFICATIONS
Completed academic qualifications are to be listed separately. Photocopies of all completed academic qualifications that you refer to in your application and curriculum vitae should be included with your application.
If you obtained qualifications from outside Australia you should include evidence of their assessment for use and academic standing in Australia. This will be an assessment by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition or the equivalent state government office in the State in which you reside. If the name shown on the certificate is different to the name you are now using, you should supply evidence of a lawful name change, such as marriage certificate or amendment of name in register of birth.
If you are later considered to be a competitive applicant for appointment, you must produce a copy of your qualifications to the consultant prior to your interview, if you did not supply a copy with your application.
If you want to refer to partially completed qualifications you must clearly identify them as such and list the units completed.
The Public Sector Commisioner will also directly contact the academic institutions referred to in the certificates to confirm their authencity.
PROVIDING REFEREES
It is advisable to contact referees and alert them to your intention to nominate them. Addresses and telephone numbers for referees should be current.
Should panel members wish to contact other people not nominated by you, they will discuss this with you prior to contact being made.
CLOSING DATE
Applications called for from the advertising process will not be accepted if they are received after the nominated closing date. If you have difficulty providing all the information required by the date stated in the advertisement, a letter of intent may be lodged by the closing date. As the selection process will proceed promptly, all supporting information must be submitted without delay.
LODGING THE APPLICATION
Your application may be submitted electronically to Dr Ricki Hewitt at
If you have any difficulty submitting an electronic copy, please contact Dr Hewitt on 0417 998 147.
Alternatively your application may be posted. Please mark the envelope PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
Dr Ricki Hewitt
Director
28 Goldsmith Road
CLAREMONT 6010
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
MONITORING YOUR APPLICATION
You will be able to monitor the progress of your application by accessing the
Public Sector Commission website at www.publicsector.wa.gov.au. This will show you the critical dates in the process and provide an outline of the selection process being used. All applicants will also be provided with individual advice about the receipt of their application, the status after shortlisting is completed and once the selection process has been completed.
THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS
The Public Sector Management Act 1994 empowers the Public Sector Commissioner to notify vacancies in Chief Executive Officer positions and appoint the most meritorious applicants. The selection and appointment process is as follows:
· A selection pool will be established by the Commissioner through an advertising and/or executive search process.
· The Commissioner will arrange to have the claims of persons in the selection pool examined. An external recruitment consultant will normally be appointed to assist the Commissioner in this process.
· The examination (which could include various methods of testing) will normally include an interview by a selection panel appointed by the Commissioner. Selection panels usually consist of between three or four people from the public and private sectors. Interviews will be arranged so that those applicants who are the most competitive against the selection criteria have the opportunity to respond to questions related to the position requirements. The interview also provides an opportunity for applicants to seek further information from the panel.
· As part of this process, an applicant’s current or past employer (whether nominated as a referee or otherwise) may be contacted in order to verify matters relevant to the potential appointment. This may include integrity and conduct checks.
· After the assessment process, the panel forwards its report and recommendation to the Commissioner of person/s suitable for appointment.
· The Commissioner considers the panel’s report and confirms qualifications.
· Following Cabinet approval of the appointment, contract arrangements are agreed and the Governor is asked to approve the appointment.
· A formal announcement of the appointment can then be made.
· The Commissioner will advise unsuccessful applicants of the outcome of their applications once a decision is announced.
DIVERSITY STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Completion of this form is optional:
To assist in ensuring the applicant pool is diverse, you are invited to indicate whether you identify with one or more of the following diversity groups.
To complete the form just click on the relevant box with the computer mouse and insert a cross (+) or complete it manually and mail it back with your application.
Male Female
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Person with a disability
Cultural and linguistic diverse background
THIS INFORMATION WILL ONLY BE USED IN AN AGGREGATED FORM.
NO INDIVIDUALS WILL BE IDENTIFIED.
Job Description
Director General
Department of Culture and the Arts
CERTIFICATION
The details contained in this document are an accurate statement of duties, responsibilities and other requirements of this job.
PUBLIC SECTOR COMMISSIONER
Signature:
Date:
1.0 ORGANISATION OVERVIEW
The Department of the Arts was established under the Public Service Act 1978 on
1 July 1986, subsequent to the repeal of the Western Australian Arts Council Act 1973. On 20 May 1997, the Department’s title was changed to the Ministry of Culture and the Arts in accordance with section 35 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994. Following a machinery of government review, the Department was redesignated as the Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) on 1 July 2001.
The Culture and Arts portfolio consists of the:
· Department of Culture and the Arts (a Department of State), including the State Records Office;
· Art Gallery of Western Australia (a statutory authority);
· State Library of Western Australia (a statutory authority);
· Western Australian Museum (a statutory authority);
· Perth Theatre Trust (a statutory authority); and
· ScreenWest (an Incorporated Association).
The Department currently provides support to The Bell Tower, which is managed by the Swan Bells Foundation.
The DCA plays a lead role in integrating the activities of the portfolio and is the main contact point for the Minister for Culture and the Arts, and central government agencies.
The DCA’s vision is to provide all Western Australians with unique and transforming culture and arts experiences which enable them to connect with their history and culture and share experiences and stories.
Currently, the influence of central government through the DCA’s strategies and activities extends across all portfolio organisations as well as the subsidised culture and arts sector.
The DCA is organised into four directorates:
Office of the Director General: Comprises the Corporate Affairs, Audit and Review, Ministerial Liaison and Government Relations areas and has primary responsibility for liaison with the Minister for Culture and the Arts on cross-government matters.
Development and Strategy Directorate: Responsible for the coordination of policy development, distribution of funding, implementation of State and national strategic programs and specialised research.
General Operations Directorate: Provides corporate services for the DCA and alignment with Government systems for the portfolio. This includes organisational performance, finance, human resources, information services, property development and management services.
State Records Office: Responsible for administration of the State Records Act 2000 which regulates whole of government recordkeeping and management of the State archives collection.
1.1 SCOPE OF THE ORGANISATION (2013/14 Budget Estimates)
Staff (Full Time Equivalents) 644
Total cost of services $164,189,000
- Total cost of Asset Investment Program $20,516,000
Total assets $1,671,335
Income from services $39,006,000
Total appropriation to deliver services $126,416,000
2.0 POSITION OVERVIEW
The role of Director General encompasses the two levels of responsibility:
1. Whole of Government Level
At this level, the Director General contributes to the development and achievement of high level strategic goals for government. This requires understanding of the policy objectives across the whole of government.
Responsibilities at this level will include:
· Contributing to, and cooperating with the work of other chief executive officers;
· Advising portfolio Ministers on policy issues; and
· Contributing to the development and implementation of cross-sectoral policies, strategies and programs.
2. Agency Level
At this level, the Director General is responsible for the effective and efficient leadership and management of the Department, as well as the alignment of
cross-portfolio arrangements with whole of government policy.
This includes being accountable for:
· Achieving the agency’s strategic and business objectives;
· Achieving policy objectives for the agency;
· Achieving budget objectives for the agency; and