Contracting Officer

The Role

Are you looking to apply your contract management and procurement skills to lead some of the largest complex programs in Australia?

Do you value and nurture a diverse workforce that supports work life balance and offers flexible working arrangements (including part-time as negotiated)?

Secure your next role with us at Defence as an APS employee for generous employment benefits including professional learning opportunities. As an APS6 Contracting Officer in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group, you will be given the unique opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver Australian Defence Force systems that are at the leading edge of Defence capability.

Your responsibilities will require you to apply your contract management and procurement skills and experience across a diverse range of contracting activities which may include planning, tendering, contract administration and formation and contract management associated with multi-million contracts in support of the acquisition and sustainment of capability for the Australian Defence Force.

International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) is the United States regulation that controls the manufacture, sale and distribution of defence and space-related articles and services. The ITAR contains a list of “restricted” countries that are unable to access ITAR controlled information, and therefore we will need to know if an applicant holds dual citizenship to one of the restricted countries to ensure they meet the requirement to perform the role (and we do not breach any ITAR requirements). 

The additional payment is a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP) which enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the rate of salary otherwise payable under the Enterprise Agreement (EA) to some or all of the jobs within a critical occupation(s) or discipline within a workplace. Applicants engaged into a BDCP position must consider the following. BDCPs provide remuneration in addition to the Defence Enterprise Agreement (EA). This arrangement is subject to meeting eligibility criteria and is subject to annual review. Should your performance fall beyond requirements or the eligibility criteria not be met, your eligibility for the BDCP may be reviewed and ceased. It may also be ceased should you change positions or the requirement for the BDCP is no longer necessary, as determined by Defence. Should the BDCP be ceased you will be advised and your BDCP additional payment will cease.

About our Team

Maritime Explosive Ordnance Systems Program Office (MEOSPO) is an integral part of Explosive Materiel Branch (EMB) within Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Delivery Division, which is part of GWEO Group. Our team is made up of various disciplines (including engineering, project management, commercial, logistics, and corporate enabling services). We are located in Canberra (Brindabella Park), Penrith (Defence Establishment Orchard Hills), Ipswich (RAAF Amberley) and Rockingham (HMAS Stirling) and our focus is to acquire and sustain guided weapons and munitions for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). EMB is dedicated to providing our staff with a diverse, manageable, favourable work-life balance, and we support flexible working arrangements.

We will also invest in your training and development to ensure your time with us is deeply rewarding, both personally and professionally. We are committed to achieving a workplace culture that is inclusive and diverse; one which directly reflects the needs and scope of Defence’s varied operational requirements. EMB is a group of approximately 560 dedicated employees. Our mission is acquiring and sustaining guided weapons and munitions for the ADF across the life-cycle phases: requirements setting; contracting; procurement; international logistics; domestic manufacturing; item management and maintenance, and co-ordination of disposal activities.

EMB partners with domestic and international industry to deliver materiel capability to Defence, managing a multibillion-dollar portfolio of complex, high-profile acquisitions and sustainment activities to support the ADF. Our people are capable, innovative, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture, that emphases respect and collaboration. In EMB, you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that, as an APS employee, you simply would not get with any other organisation.

Other benefits include:

• 15.4% superannuation

• Access to personalised professional development pathways, including opportunities for Defence-funded post-graduate study.

• Additional leave days between Christmas and New Year.

• Focus on work/life balance

• Salary sacrifice opportunities

Our Ideal Candidate

The right person for this role will be a committed contract and procurement professional that is able to demonstrate the adaptability and flexibility required to respond to the needs of their stakeholders. Experienced in complex contract management, you will use your initiative to make informed decisions and solve complex problems under broad direction.

You will enjoy working in a team to come together and excel in order to achieve organisational objectives, whilst continuing to pursue your own self-development goals.

The APS6 Contracting Officer is accountable for:

• Contract management activities, including procurement planning, contract formation and contractual advice

• Stakeholder communication and relationship management,

• End to End procurement activities,

• Support and advice to internal stakeholders on procurement planning and contract risk mitigation,

• Supervision of team members

• Supporting the Executive and Team Lead

Application Closing Date: Monday 22 April, 2024

For further information please review the job information pack, reference GWEO/02435/24 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=B2F4A59C-4E0B-CE98-52CC-DAA5364181F0.