Testimonials

Ben - (EL2) Senior Analyst - Illegal Fishing

I have worked at ONA for 5 years now - making me a comparative long-termer - being attracted by the Office's central role in government, providing strategic intelligence perspectives of how international problems confront Australia's national interests.

Because of this privileged role, the work is generally planned - and manageable! But things can go wrong with little warning, so a calm working day can go to pot. You may even have to spend weekends on the job. But that's part of what makes work so interesting.

You can get as much or little from your work as you choose. Interaction within the Office and with other agencies makes an even more satisfying work experience.

And the professionalism of staff is enviable: the Office prides itself on the calibre of its recruits. As well, opportunities to develop, such as travel and all manner of training, are generous.

I've not been disappointed since arriving; quite the opposite, in fact. This is the best place I've ever worked, which is the reason I've stayed for as long as I have.

Where else could one possibly go from here?

Gavin  - (EL2) Senior Analyst - Trade

I've been working in ONA for just one year and I really enjoy my job. I didn't know much about the organisation before I joined. ONA offered me the opportunity to specialise on a subject in which I'm deeply interested and had built up many years' experience in a policy environment. I've found the most important qualities for working here are the capacity to process and assess large volumes of information and a highly professional approach to work. I think I have a big responsibility to monitor international developments in my issues and be ready at any time to provide assessments. Because of the sensitive nature of much of the information we see, it's crucial that staff are discreet and responsible. The Office is noticeably quieter than a typical government department. But it's not a stuffy place to work. It's a small organisation with a flat structure and there's a strong degree of cooperation and collaboration where topics intersect. Everyone takes great pride in doing the best job possible with the information available to us.

Cath - (APS6) Office Manager

Being an Administrator I tend to make lists, and when I set about seeking my next role this was no exception. I had four key items I wanted to achieve: small agency, variety of tasks, promotion, and a good work environment. I was able to tick all items when I applied for my current role at ONA, which I have been in for nearly 2 years. Having spent several years in the public service and private enterprise I had a wide range of administration skills that enable me to be successful in this role. I have also been able to complete my Graduate Certificate in Business Administration while at ONA and encourage and support my staff to undertake relevant training as it arises. While there are many business as usual tasks, being in a small team and small agency allows you diversity that you can miss out on in larger organisations. It encourages us to communicate and support each other as a team, to meet short deadlines for a priority task, or a peak workload period. We often have overlap on projects with other teams within Corporate and the broader ONA. These require collaboration and increase your understanding of the organisations functions as a whole. Having come from Defence there was little visibility of the hierarchy; at ONA I know them all by first name. The Senior Leadership Group value the work we do and communicate this to the Organisation at all staff functions and with their management style. During my interview I asked 'what's it like to work at ONA', the answer I was provided with was 'it's like a small community'…

Paul - (APS6 ) Analyst - Research Team

After graduating from university, I was looking for a career where I could apply my Asian Studies knowledge and linguistic expertise. I wanted to work for a professional organisation with stimulating subject matter, excellent future career prospects and a positive working environment. I was offered a job at the Open Source Centre at ONA, and it provided exactly what I was looking for.

The work of an Open Source analyst is diverse and rewarding. A short time after joining OSC, I was writing open source reports on rapidly unfolding events in the region that affected Australia's interests - from terrorism to political crises, people-smuggling and climate change.

As an OSC analyst, you work closely with other agencies in the intelligence community, including on joint projects and working groups. You have to keep up to speed on the full intelligence picture of international developments, and respond creatively to the challenges of working in the open source environment.

I think OSC is an excellent place to start your professional career, because analysts gain direct exposure to the intelligence, security, defence and foreign policy communities. OSC develops your expertise through in-house training, academic conferences, post-graduate study, in-country language courses and public service training - so when it's time to take the next step in your career, you have a very broad skills base to draw on.

The best aspect about working here is that you are constantly gaining new insights on your subject area, while building relationships and developing skills that will enhance your future prospects. For recent university graduates - like many staff in OSC - it provides an excellent transition from undergraduate study to a professional career.

Kate - (EL1) Senior Analyst - Americas

I have worked at ONA since September 2007. After working in a line department for several years I was attracted to ONA because it offered responsibility for analysing international issues and forecasting future trends, rather than simply reporting on them, or reading about them in the paper. In contrast to academia, where I have also worked, my assessments at ONA directly inform government policy making. And I have enjoyed being a specialist, rather than a generalist.

Highly developed research and analytical skills are necessary in order to examine international events, predict what may happen next, and identify what implications an issue or event may have for Australian policymakers. The amount of information - classified and unclassified - that I deal with grows almost daily, and at times it can be overwhelming trying to stay on top of it all. I also discuss issues with colleagues, both inside and outside government, in Australia and overseas to harness their expertise. So it's useful to be able to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.

Two of the best things about the working environment are the absence of administration and process, which is endemic to line departments, and my colleagues. People at ONA are high-performing individuals, extremely intelligent and interested in the world - I enjoy very much and gain a great deal from our discussions.

I have found the pace of work fairly uneven - it depends on what is happening in the world. During crises, or in the lead up to important international events, there's a faster tempo and you might be required to work late. But in general, the lead time for projects is around a month to two weeks and you can work at your own pace. Because of this autonomy, it is a relatively flexible work environment and you can (to a certain degree) structure your job to suit your personal preferences. For example, I've just had a baby and I start and finish work early in order to pick up my son from childcare. So all in all, ONA has delivered for me.