FAQs: Executive Fellows Program (Program 2)

Please see below for frequently asked questions relating to ANZSOG’s Executive Fellows Program (Program 2).

1. What are the entry requirements?

The EFP is designed for high-performing leaders and senior public sector executives, such as Deputy Chief Executive Officers (CEO), Deputy Director-Generals and Deputy Secretaries, and executives up to two levels below CEO, Director-General or Secretary. The program is also suitable for senior executives in the not-for-profit sector, international equivalent levels and other experienced, high-performing senior leaders.

2. What is the registration process?

Applications are now open for the Executive Fellows Program 2 (face-to-face) starting 6 November. For more information, submit an expression of interest or find out more about Program 2 (face-to-face) here.  

Applications are encouraged from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and from people with disabilities or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

Some jurisdictions have specific registration processes. If you work for the governments of Western Australia, New South Wales or Victoria, please contact your department or agency’s Human Resources or Learning and Development team about your application or expression of interest. 

If you work for the Northern Territory government, please contact the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment at swpd.ocpe@nt.gov.au about your application or expression of interest.

If you work for the Aotearoa New Zealand government, please contact Lynn Evans at the Leadership Development Centre at LDCProgrammes@ldc.govt.nz about your application or expression of interest.

If you work for the Queensland government, your Public Sector Commission has a limited number of scholarships available for the program. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship via your jurisdiction’s Public Sector Commission, we encourage you to contact them for further information including dates for application submission. You are also welcome to make your own arrangements with your agency. 

3. When do applications close?

Applications for EFP 2023, Program 2 (face-to-face) close on 6 October 2023. Apply now for Program 2 (face-to-face) or submit an expression of interest to be contacted by a member of the Programs team. Alternatively, email: programs_team@anzsog.edu.au.  

4. How much does the program cost?

Program 2 (face-to-face) costs $30,500 AUD + GST and travel costs.

5. When will I/my agency be invoiced?

Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed by the selection committee, and you will be advised as soon as possible of the outcome. Once you have received formal acceptance into the program, your organisation will be invoiced.  Payment of the program fee must be received in full prior to program commencement.

6. What is covered in the Program fee?

The fee includes all program materials, teaching faculty and facilitation, and access to the School’s learning management system to support program participation. 

7. What is the cancellation policy?

Places for EFP are limited to ensure an engaging environment for participants, as such, places are hotly contested. However, once you have been accepted into the program, cancellation will only be considered in exceptional circumstances due to the difficulty of filling places at short notice. 

Cancellations must be advised to ANZSOG in writing by the sponsoring agency at programs_team@anzsog.edu.au. Cancellations received more than 14 days from commencement will incur a 50% charge of the program fee. The full program fee is payable for cancellations received within 14 days or less from commencement.

8. What is the program structure?

Program 2: Face-to-face 

The EFP features:  

• short, sharp interactive sessions including a mix of teacher-to-participant sessions, participant-led sessions, group work, immersive elements and facilitated panel discussions  
• two modules designed to provide participants with an opportunity to immediately apply what they learn between modules when they return to work  
• opportunities for self-reflection, action-learning groups exploring solutions to participant’s leadership challenges and leadership-in-practice workshops  
• practical frameworks and techniques, immersive learning cases and live policy challenges. 

The program will be delivered face to face; week 1 in Canberra and week 2 in Sydney. The orientation session will take place online via Zoom. It comprises two modules in addition to an orientation session to officially kick-off the program.  

Orientation: (Online) 30 October 2023

Module 1: (Canberra) 6-10 November 2023

• Module 1 (Day 1) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 1 (Day 2) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 1 (Day 3) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 1 (Day 4) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 1 (Day 5) – 9:00-17:00

Module 2: (Sydney) 13-17 November 2023

• Module 2 (Day 1) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 2 (Day 2) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 2 (Day 3) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 2 (Day 4) – 9:00-17:00
• Module 2 (Day 5) – 9:00-16:45

9. Can I speak with a previous EFP participant?

If you are interested in applying for EFP, we encourage you to speak to our EFP alumni to get an insider’s perspective. Please contact our Alumni Coordinator via email at: alumni@anzsog.edu.au, to arrange an introduction.

You will become part of the alumni community upon completion of the program. Our Alumni Program helps you to maintain and build on your peer-to-peer relationships, creating a broad community of public sector leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and internationally. This provides an opportunity for ongoing learning and support from peers, greater exposure to different perspectives, and an appreciation of work done, and solutions found, elsewhere.

10. Do I need to download any software to participate?

Yes, you will need Zoom installed on your device for the Program Orientation. It will do this automatically when you click on your first webinar so just login 5 minutes before and allow it.

11. What is the time commitment of the program?

You will be required to travel to Canberra on Sunday 5 November to spend the week with your peers and the Program Co-Directors. The weekend of 11 and 12 November will be dedicated to relocating to Sydney to commence week two on 13 November. The program will conclude on Friday 17 November in the afternoon.

12. Can I self-fund my participation if my agency won’t fund?

Yes.

13. What are the attendance requirements?

As a participant, you are expected to attend all sessions to fully realise the benefits of the program.

14. How is the 2023 EFP different to previous EFP iterations?

The EFP has continually evolved and in recent years has been delivered as an intensive and lively three-week residential program for senior executives to develop their capacity to lead. 

As per our participants’ feedback, we are offering EFP in a blended version with an online Orientation and 2 weeks residential in Canberra and Sydney. Participants have expressed a preference to spend time face-to-face and network while on the program.

You will learn from a cast of renowned academics and senior public sector practitioners from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, in a program designed to help you take the next step in your career. 

15. Do I need managerial approval to attend the program?

Yes. In submitting the application form, you confirm that your manager agrees to support you to participate in the program and that your organisation will pay the full program fee if your application is successful. Your manager will also receive a copy of your application via email.

16. How big is the cohort?

A maximum of 65 places each year are available for each instance of the program.  A selection committee will assess each applicant’s level and experience and, where possible, seek a balance of jurisdictions and departments. 

17. What are the program (learning) outcomes?

Throughout this program, you will explore three key leadership themes: leading the self and others, leading an organisation, and systems leadership. Outcomes from these themes, include:

• explore the latest thinking on leadership
• discover leadership frameworks which can be applied immediately in your agency
• develop a greater sense of self-as-a-leader
• build skills to effectively lead across cultural boundaries in an increasingly complex operating environment
• gain deeper insights into the operating environment of the public service with particular attention to politics, the media, the international sphere and other sectors
• increase capabilities in reading and shaping organisational cultures
• find inspiration and opportunities to take your leadership to the next level.

18. Can I use FEE-HELP to pay all or part of my tuition fees? 

No unfortunately you can’t use FEE-HELP. You may enter a salary sacrifice arrangement with your employer to attend the program. Your employer will be billed the program fee. This will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your sponsoring agency.