This particular client applied for the role of Compliance & Risk Manager within an APS government department, Defence. The application was very well received with the selection panel verbalising as such during the interview process. Several APS departments request that you outline barriers/challenges when addressing selection criteria and preparing relevant examples/answers. This application required the addressing of six criteria each with a corresponding maximum 400-word length limit. Following is a full example of one of the criteria which showcases not just well-written STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result) but how the barrier/challenge component should be written and incorporated. Read more on the STAR model on Services – Selection Criteria page.
Experience in identifying and analysing risks and compliance issues and developing effective solutions or remedial actions.
As the Security and Risk Management Supervisor within XYZ, I identified a safety risk to my staff as well as a wider security and reputation risk to XYZ that placed hundreds of millions of assets in a position of significant vulnerability. Upon identifying these risks, I immediately sought to undertake a risk assessment in accordance with ISO standards, security policy and occupational health and safety legislation in order to better advise on how to mitigate the risk, develop effective solutions and comply with policy requirements.
To achieve this, I conducted a comprehensive assessment of the threat to people, assets and reputation. In so doing, I liaised and consulted extensively with local law enforcement agencies, stakeholders and subject matter experts. Thereafter, I authored a document outlining the threat, vulnerabilities, likelihood and overall risk to XYZ assets, human resources and reputation. This document included strategies to mitigate risk including a number of options available in accordance with the policy and legislative requirements.
The main challenge encountered was that the only available solutions in managing the risk in this instance, was to seek a waiver from the Attorney General or meet the ‘must’ requirements of the DDD Manual. In order to meet this standard or apply for the waiver, the security manager (who was responsible for the budgetary and manpower resources acquirement and coordination) had to be consulted and approve final expenditure. As resources had been reduced within the group, I recommended and detailed a number of strategies for consideration that met with resource requirements as well as the legislative and policy requirements.
As a result of both identifying the risk and providing the commensurate solutions, I effectively ensured that procedures were improved to protect people. I was also able to show thorough evidence-based analysis and procedure regarding equipment that needed to be updated in order to comply with legislation and policy. These changes, as well as the equipment, remain in place today and ensure an effective solution in an environment where both safety and security are paramount to the effectiveness of the day-to-day running of XYZ operations.
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Cheers,
Annie Cerone
