Kristine Pajda
Canberra
Summary
I am an effective leader who consistently delivers high quality outcomes. My key strengths are influencing, collaboration, adaptability, resilience, a positive leadership style and solutions-focused. I am a confident and persuasive communicator, collaborator, and leader. I prioritise collaboration as the key to achieving outcomes and cultivate strong working relationships across my organisation and externally.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director Cyber Security Response Policy
National Office of Cyber Security - Department of Home Affairs
Canberra
1 2024 - Current
- Lead a small team to progress key priorities under the 2024-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy relating to deterrence, policy and international cyber response
- Provide secretariat services to a Whole of Government SES Band 2 Inter Departmental Committee
- Management of cost centre and budget of section.
Director Protecting the Rights of Older Australians
Attorney-General’s Department
Canberra
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Co-direct a team of 8 staff to progress a range of high-profile initiatives under the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians 2019-2023(the National Plan) in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission Report – A Legal Response to Elder Abuse
- This includes research, communications and program and grant delivery
- Leading the planning of the National Plan Implementation Executive Group (IEG) meetings and compiling required materials to support effective discussion and decision making by the IEG and the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General
- Lead the delivery priority programs to ensure the accessibility and safety of the family law system for people experiencing elder abuse
- This includes the management of a $83 million budget over four years for programs and initiatives.
Director Logistics and Corporate
Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme
Brisbane
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Project managed the establishment and decommissioning of the Royal Commission, including recruitment, procurement
- I project managed arrangements between the Attorney-General’s Department and the Royal Commission to establish headquarters in Brisbane Queensland, including the establishment of ancillary services
- Develop and manage practice guidelines, contracts, procurements, and of costs associated with witnesses and legal assistance support
- Provided strategic direction to staff and an escalation point for complex operational issues.
Director Protecting the Rights of Older Australians
Attorney-General’s Department
Canberra
05.2021 - 08.2022
- Co-direct a team of 8 staff to progress a range of high-profile initiatives under the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians 2019-2023 in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission Report – A Legal Response to Elder Abuse
- Lead the delivery priority programs to ensure the accessibility and safety of the family law system for people experiencing elder abuse
- This includes the management of a $83 million budget over four years for programs and initiatives.
Assistant Director Family Safety Policy and Programs
Attorney-General’s Department
Canberra
04.2020 - 02.2021
- Manage programs and projects including budget proposals, implementation of grants programs, and ongoing management of grants.
Special Advisor Freedom of Information
Department of Defence
Canberra
10.2019 - 04.2020
- Managed a small FOI Review team, charged with providing Defence expert, strategic advice on complex FOI matters
- Reviewed decisions and complaints made under the FOI Act and monitored the Department’s compliance with extant policy, procedures and statutory requirements
- I consulted with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality FOI decisions consistent with legislation.
Assistant Director Freedom of Information
Department of Defence
Canberra
09.2019 - 10.2019
- Working in the Reviews and Guidance team, I provided support and assistance to the Senior Executive on matters relating to the administration of FOI complaints, internal and external reviews and Administrative Appeals Tribunal cases
- Analysed new internal reviews and provided strategic guidance on how reviews are managed
- I coordinated and drafted review decisions, in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
Director Business Continuity and Records Review
Department of Defence
Canberra
04.2019 - 09.2019
- Lead the Enterprise Business Continuity Directorate and Classified Records Review Directorate
- Overseeing the management of the Enterprise business continuity program, including policy, framework, training and awareness and assurance
- Classified records review was the management of the Australian War Memorial Official Histories Project, and the release of classified Defence and Defence-related Australian Government records eligible for public disclosure.
Assistant Director Business Continuity
Department of Defence
Canberra
11.2018 - 04.2019
- I provided policy and governance advice on the Defence Enterprise Business Continuity program, including policy, framework, training and awareness and assurance
- Managed a small team of military and APS responsible for the delivery of the Defence Enterprise Business Continuity Program
- Preparation of submissions and supporting materials for the Defence Executive Business Committee and Defence Audit and Risk Committee.
Assistant Director Government Relations
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Canberra
08.2017 - 11.2018
- Managed and coordinated all ministerial and parliamentary activity on behalf of the ACIC
- Produced ministerial submissions, correspondence, senate estimates briefs and drafted responses to question time briefs
- Undertook research and analysis to support briefs and responses to Ministerial and Departmental requests
- Identified potential issues and developed mitigation strategies
- Worked closely with the Portfolio Minister and other Ministers responsible for the agency
- Monitored parliamentary proceedings and appropriately advised of any matters which could impact the agency.
Government Relations Coordinator
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Managed and coordinated all ministerial and parliamentary activity on behalf of the ACIC
- Produced ministerial submissions, correspondence, senate estimates briefs and drafted responses to question time briefs
- Undertook research and analysis to support briefs and responses to Ministerial and Departmental requests
- Identified potential issues and developed mitigation strategies
- Worked closely with the Portfolio Minister and other Ministers responsible for the agency
- Monitored parliamentary proceedings and appropriately advised of any matters which could impact the agency.
Scribe
Hays and Macarthur
05.2016 - 06.2017
- Supporting recruitment processes by providing scribe services to Federal and state and territory government agencies
- Attend recruitment panel short-listing meetings and interviews
- Record meetings and assessments at interviews, and provided technical and procedural advice to selection panels
- Prepare selection documentation in accordance with merit principles and standards and used my strong technical writing skills to complete selection reports
- Conducted reference checking and report writing when required.
Intelligence Officer
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Canberra
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Responsible for the initiation and production of a range of high quality tactical and operational intelligence products to inform and affect decision making for internal and external stakeholders
- This also included liaison with government and National Intelligence Community
- Regularly met and consulted with internal and external stakeholders
- Worked collaboratively with the ACIC bulk matching staff to develop original and innovative matching methodology
- Wrote and disseminated intelligence product to report findings to National Intelligence Community.
Secure Room Coordinator
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Canberra
07.2013 - 06.2014
- Managed an appropriately certified facility (Sensitive Compartmental Information Facility – SCIF), and for the engagement with National Security Partners
- Acting as the conduit for the agency for incoming and outgoing National Security classified intelligence
- Managed the organisation and coordination of all maintenance and general requirements of the SCIF
- Inducted new staff, provide or organise compartmental briefings, overseas travel briefings and debriefings
- Understand and administer Commonwealth security policies and promote a positive security culture
- Investigated and reported security incidents
- Promoted a positive security culture throughout the agency
- Maintained accurate records of staff with access to sensitive information, and established and maintain work area security standard operating procedures.
Policy Coordinator
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
10.2012 - 07.2013
- Provided policy advice, coordination and development support, as well as held the position as the agency Cabinet Liaison Officer
- Lodged Cabinet submissions and memoranda, including collated comments on other Departments or Agencies submissions and memoranda
- Received, registered, stored and destructed classified documents in accordance with mandated security policies and procedures
- Handled, circulated, monitored and recorded Cabinet and other documents
- Provided advice on Cabinet processes and liaised with Cabinet Secretariat, and other departments on all Cabinet business
- Assisted the section to deliver parliamentary services including parliamentary questions on notice, tabling, senate estimates and question time briefs
- Provided briefings, correspondence and meeting support to the CEO and senior executives as required
- Contributed to the development of briefings, papers, submissions, correspondence and general position papers for use in internal and external decision-making forums
- Worked with external stakeholders, particularly those in the National Security Community.
Education
Diploma of Government -
Canberra Institute of Technology
Canberra, ACT 10.2020 - 12.2021
High School Diploma -
Penleigh And Essendon Grammar School
Essendon, VIC 01.1991 - 12.1992
Skills
Project Management
Operations Management
Team Management
People Management
Skillsexperience
- Strong conceptual and strategic thinking ability, shaping corporate policy and influencing organisational direction.
- Facilitating cooperation and collaboration from stakeholders to enable positive outcomes.
- Strong relationship management skills with proven ability to build credibility and trust with all levels of internal and external stakeholders within a complex environment.
- Resilient, resourceful and determined, responding effectively to critical situations, with composure and clarity of thought.
- Clear analytical thinker with the ability to apply creative problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional communicator, adept at presentations and speech writing through to briefings, drafting of talking points and production of detailed reports.
- Extensive project management experience.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
- Proven ability to lead others, as well as working effectively as part of a team to achieve business objectives.
- Results-oriented with the ability to identify, assign and deliver on competing priorities to enable achievement of business objectives.
Security Clearance
CS397372, TSPV, 12/12/2018, 12/12/2025
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Director Protecting the Rights of Older Australians
Attorney-General’s Department
08.2023 - 01.2024
Director Logistics and Corporate
Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme
08.2022 - 08.2023
Director Protecting the Rights of Older Australians
Attorney-General’s Department
05.2021 - 08.2022
Diploma of Government -
Canberra Institute of Technology
10.2020 - 12.2021
Assistant Director Family Safety Policy and Programs
Attorney-General’s Department
04.2020 - 02.2021
Special Advisor Freedom of Information
Department of Defence
10.2019 - 04.2020
Assistant Director Freedom of Information
Department of Defence
09.2019 - 10.2019
Director Business Continuity and Records Review
Department of Defence
04.2019 - 09.2019
Assistant Director Business Continuity
Department of Defence
11.2018 - 04.2019
Assistant Director Government Relations
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
08.2017 - 11.2018
Government Relations Coordinator
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
06.2017 - 08.2017
Scribe
Hays and Macarthur
05.2016 - 06.2017
Intelligence Officer
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
06.2014 - 12.2015
Secure Room Coordinator
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
07.2013 - 06.2014
Policy Coordinator
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
10.2012 - 07.2013
High School Diploma -
Penleigh And Essendon Grammar School
01.1991 - 12.1992
Director Cyber Security Response Policy
National Office of Cyber Security - Department of Home Affairs
1 2024 - Current
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