Applications for the 2010 IAGDP have now closed. Candidates who have submitted an application can expect to be notified of their success in progressing to the second stage of the assessment process by the end of February 2010. Thank you for your interest in the program.

IAGDP participants are engaged as ongoing employees of their Home Agency in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999.  As employees of partnering agencies, participants’ conditions of employment are governed by DEEWR’s IAGDP Guidelines and their Home Agency’s Collective Agreement (as outlined in their letter of offer).

Engagement

In addition to any conditions that may be notified in the letter of offer, participants’ employment will be subject to certain conditions of engagement, for the purposes listed at subsection 22(6) of the Public Service Act 1999 as follows:

• Probation – a period during which participants’ performance is reviewed
  
• Citizenship – legal status as an Australian citizen
  
• Formal qualifications – there are none required for the IAGDP
  
• Security and character clearances – to ensure that participants are fit and proper to undertake employment in the APS, and
  
• Health clearances – to establish that participants are medically able to undertake the duties of the position.

Probation

During the probationary period, it is the responsibility of supervisors and managers to closely monitor the work performance and conduct of the participant, and to provide regular feedback.  Whilst on probation, participants are provided with the opportunity to address any aspect of their performance which may be identified as requiring development.

The probationary period for IAGDP participants will be six months.  The format of participants’ probation reports, and the frequency with which these must be completed, shall be in accordance with the guidelines of their Home Agency.

Citizenship

Whilst it is a requirement for IAGDP participants to be of Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander descent, all ongoing APS employees are required to hold Australian citizenship.  Participants will be required to provide evidence of their status as an Australian citizen prior to their commencement date.

Formal Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required when commencing on the IAGDP.  Participants are, however, expected to possess an aptitude for Contract Management, Project Management or Community Capacity activities, which will be determined as part of the selection process.  It is a requirement for Participants to obtain the Diploma in Government qualification to successfully complete the program.

Security and Character Clearances

Engagement on the IAGDP is subject to partnering agencies being satisfied that each participant is a “fit and proper person” to undertake APS employment.  A check will be carried out to ascertain whether participants have a police record, and if so, whether this might prevent them from being employed in the APS, or cause a need for their employment to be terminated.

DEEWR requires that security and character clearances are maintained for the duration of the program.  Participating agencies may require security clearances to be maintained as a condition of employment (as outlined in the letter of offer).

Employment may be terminated if partnering agencies are of the view that participants are not a fit and proper person for APS employment and the check has not been completed prior to commencement.  This includes but is not limited to supplying false or misleading information during the recruitment and engagement process.

Health Clearances

Engagement is also subject to an assessment that participants are fit to perform the duties of the position.  This will be determined by a medical examination.  Generally medical examinations are conducted prior to commencement.  This is a requirement particularly where relocation is involved.  Only if appointments are not available would participants undergo medical exams within 3 months of commencement.

After this examination, a health assessment report will be provided to each participant’s Home Agency where a review of its recommendations will be undertaken.  In some circumstances it may be necessary to disclose some of the information contained within this health assessment report to the participant’s Supervisor or Manager. The contents of the medical assessment will only be used for employment related purposes and access will be restricted in line with the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988.

IAGDP Specific Conditions

Classification

The substantive classification of IAGDP participants on commencement of the program will be APS 3 level (or equivalent).

Applications for part time work or extended leave

All applications for either part time work or extended leave that impact on the ability of the participant to complete the program within the specified timeframe will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Such applications must be endorsed by the participant’s Supervisor and Manager and be approved by the DEEWR IAGDP Coordinator in consultation with DEEWR’s Capability Development Team.

Hours of study

Participants are entitled to access three hours study time per week, during work hours, to complete the Diploma of Government.  This time is to be negotiated with each participant’s Supervisors and approval for any additional time is subject to operational requirements.

Additional Study Activities

Applications by participants to undertake additional external study activities during the course of the twelve month program should generally not be approved until such time as they have completed the Diploma of Government.

Termination

IAGDP participants who fail to meet the prescribed requirements for completing the program, as detailed within the IAGDP guidelines and letter of offer, may have their employment terminated.  A decision to terminate a participant’s employment will not be made without first taking into account any individual circumstance which may warrant consideration.

Completion of the Program

Successful Completion

To successfully complete the program, participants are required to:

• satisfactorily complete probation in accordance with the requirements of their Home Agency
  
• obtaining a performance rating that is not unsatisfactory or agency equivalent
  
• actively participate in full-time employment for the full twelve month period
  
• successfully complete the Diploma of Government within this period
  
• actively participate in on the job training and work based learning
  
• demonstrate the practical application of learning outcomes in the workplace, and
  
• attend, and satisfactorily complete, all structured learning and development activities as scheduled during the program

Failure to Complete

If a participant fails to fulfil any of the conditions of their engagement outlined above, their employment may be terminated in accordance with subsection 29(3) of the Public Service Act 1999.  Early discussion with the Home Agency IAGDP Coordinator, the DEEWR IAGDP Coordinator and the respective HR Branch is required.

Leaving the Program

During the IAGDP, a participant who voluntarily accepts an offer of employment to another position, other than the one to which they are initially engaged, may be considered to have left the program.  A determination about whether a participant is considered to have left the program will be made on a case by case basis.

The primary factor in making this determination will be the extent to which the new position facilitates the provision of practical work experience and on the job training in Contract Management, Project Management and Community Capacity.