Mike
Senior Intelligence Analyst – South East Asia
I came to Defence late in my working life after 35 years as a television journalist - 26 of those covering news and current events across the world. I joined the Australian Theatre Joint Intelligence Centre (later the Joint Operations Intelligence Centre) in 2003 and headed the team providing tactical and some operational level assessment for ADF deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, the Middle East and Africa. When the JOIC was closed in 2006 as part of the review of the Defence Intelligence Community, I joined DIO as Team Leader, South ASEAN.
Whilst we are not in direct support of operations, the strategic importance of Australia's engagements with Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines ensures for the South ASEAN team-members a busy tempo of analysis and reporting. For myself, I find defence intelligence enormously rewarding and offering a challenge equal to the fast-moving demands of my previous career.
Sandy
Analyst - Afghanistan
I studied in Melbourne, completing both an Arts/Law Law degree and an Honours degree in Politics. I came to Defence as a Graduate in 2006 and along with time spent in the Secretary of Defence's Office and the Chief Finance Officer Group, came to DIO and completed a 3-month rotation. I came back upon completion of my graduate year because at DIO I found the work to be challenging and stimulating. Working on the Afghanistan desk has enabled me to put my academic studies to practical use and has also offered many opportunities in a rewarding team envoronment.
This year alone, I have had the chance to not only brief the Director and my fellow peers, I have travelled overseas to Copenhagen to represent DIO at the Regional Command South Conference along with US, UK, Canadian, Estonian and Danish counterparts and have also engaged in side-bar and bilateral discussions with key allies and other Australian Intelligence Community officials.
As an analyst with DIO, I have been able to build many professional relationships and interact with a wide cross section of specialists and if I could highlight anything about the Organisation, it would be the inclusive team environment. To know I am backed up by my team, and that everyone is so supportive, helps me each day become a better operator.
Luke
Analyst - Nuclear Proliferation
I had an interest in joining an organisation with a focus on national security and international affairs since starting my bachelor degree, which I structured in such a way as to build up my knowledge of politics and strategic issues. I first came into DIO as part of a 3-month placement with the Defence Graduate Development Program and came back to DIO on a permanent basis at the end of the Graduate year, taking up a position in the Nuclear Proliferation Section.
It is not only the analysis that I find appealing about DIO. We are afforded innumerable professional development opportunities, including intelligence and management skills courses, as well as overseas postings. I have had the opportunity to liaise with colleagues in other areas of government, and have worked collaboratively on tasks that have received commendations at the highest levels. Since joining DIO I have gained an extensive knowledge of issues relevant to Australian foreign relations and our national interests, and have presented to senior officers on issues of crucial importance to national security.
On top of all that, the working conditions at DIO are fantastic. The organisation fosters a highly collegiate environment where both uniformed and civilian analysts work closely together. I work in a section where most of my colleagues have a scientific or engineering background which has allowed me to gain an insight into a wide range or research and analytical approaches. I cannot recommend a position in DIO highly enough to anyone with first-rate analytical skills and a deep interest in strategic issues.