The online form will allow you to save your progress as you go, however, if you’re completing a desktop evaluation, there are some long form questions it’s best to prepare your answers for in advance.
What is the position’s primary purpose in your organisation?
Describe the purpose of the position. What the position does and why. Begin each statement with an action verb (for example, advise, coordinate, deliver). Use what is written in the position description as a starting point.
What work is performed by this position and how often?
How often is the work performed? For example, always, often, sometimes, rarely, never.
What are the financial responsibilities of the position (including budget amounts if applicable)?
These are:
- direct—accountable for a measurable monetary impact
- indirect—enables others who are accountable for a measurable monetary impact
- none.
If the position is either directly or indirectly responsible for financial resources within the current financial year, be prepared to provide details of what resources the position will be responsible for (e.g. operating costs, employee salaries, capital, assets, projects). This includes the dollar amounts (exact or to the best of your estimation based on current budget) for each financial resource impacted by the position.
What decisions will this position need to make?
The position may make decisions or recommendations on tasks, processes, procedures, advice. For example, the manager will set timeframes or negotiate extension of timeframes. Statutory timeframes cannot be shifted. The manager will be responsible for determining how timeframes can be met and then directing the position accordingly.
What will the position need to influence or contribute to?
Think about what it may influence (i.e. the nature or scope of its own work, the work or decisions of others or the direction of the unit or agency).
What decisions will the position need to escalate to a higher manager?
For example, the position is expected to inform its supervisor if timeframes are unable to be met.
What type of activities is the position required to interpret, analyse and provide advice on?
To what degree and frequency is this position expected to analyse and interpret trends or circumstances (e.g. legislation, trends, data analysis)?
How much is the position influenced or constrained by frameworks, policies, guidelines, structures, and the extent of direction provided?
For example, will they be required to read papers or reports, transcripts of hearings, interpret and provide advice on matters relating to the program and broader reform agenda, or interpret if an issue is likely to be a matter of priority?
What problem solving activities are required for the position?
Is the position expected to manage complexities? Describe these complexities and their degree of difficulty. Is this position expected to resolve issues or solve problems (e.g. is it required to interpret information and analyse situations, and provide recommendations to best achieve outcomes)? Provide examples.
Describe the challenging aspects of the position and why it is challenging.
What makes this position challenging in the organisational context, not what is challenging for the incumbent, and how does it manage these challenges?
These may be short or long term and must be related to the position (not the person).
Challenges may involve client demands, changes to legislation, new procedures, technology, developing new approaches, variations in workload etc. For example, needing to maintain technical expertise; geographical spread of program or service delivery or staff.
What knowledge is required for the position?
List as many knowledge types as required. For each one, you must provide 3 parts to your answer:
- Knowledge required (e.g. 'Understand complex contract management’).
- Level needed for this knowledge (e.g. very high, high, or basic understanding).
- Reason this knowledge is required (e.g. 'To provide accurate and contemporary contract advice to a business area or senior management').
What skills are required for this position?
List as many skills as required. For each one, you must provide 3 parts to your answer:
- Skill required (e.g. 'The ability to work independently within a team environment')
- Level needed for this skill (e.g. Extensive or Qualification)
- Reason this skill is required (e.g. to be entrusted to complete tasks independently and report back to their team).
What experience is required for this position?
List as much experience as required. For each one, you must provide 3 parts to your answer:
- Experience required (e.g. 'Experience managing staff in a call centre environment')
- Level needed for this experience (e.g. Extensive or Proven)
- Reason this experience is required (e.g. 'To effectively manage a team, meet KPIs and service level expectations').
What interpersonal and communication skills are required for this position?
What communication, influence, support, persuasion, care, counselling, motivation, negotiation, coaching, mentoring, managing and problem-solving skills are required?
What internal and external skills are required when interacting with clients, suppliers, customers, general public, non-English speaking people or culturally diverse groups? For example, superior written skills to prepare a range of ministerial and other correspondence which communicates technical and complex issues effectively.