Assistant Program Manager – Defence Networks | NV1 | Canberra

Pinaka Technology Solutions Pty Ltd

Canberra

Hybrid

AUD 130,000 - 170,000

Full time

3 days ago

Be an early applicant

A complete application in a minute

Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

Pinaka Technology Solutions Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced Level 3 Assistant Program Manager to support the Department of Defence, Land Capability Division in Canberra. The role focuses on program planning, risk management and governance for formal work packages and external collaborations.

You will report to SO2 Operations Officer and operate primarily onsite at Symonston ACT, with limited case-by-case remote work possibilities. A 3-month probation applies.

Qualifications

Essential requirement for Level 3 Program/Project management.
Ten years of industry experience in program management is expected.
Must hold Negative Vetting 1 clearance or higher.
Must work in Canberra, ACT.

Responsibilities

Assist in creating and maintaining the LNIC Program of Work from command inputs.
Coordinate external WTO activities with defined scope and timelines.
Coordinate internal LNIC tasks across teams and functions.
Develop LNIC project management artefacts with SO2 guidance.
Support risk management practices and secretariat functions for engagements.
Assist procurement activities following Commonwealth rules.
Plan and execute LNIC support for Defence activities and exercises.
Provide other services as directed by SO2 Operations Officer.

Skills

Program management

Risk management

Governance

Stakeholder management

Agile project software

Communications engineering

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor degree in Project Management or related field

Tools

MS Office

Jira (Atlassian)

Job description

Assistant Program Manager

Australian citizenship required. Must have an active Negative Vetting Level 1 (or higher) security clearance.

Location: Canberra (Onsite).

RFQ Details

RFQ ID: LCD-22-0466C
Agency: Department of Defence, Land Capability Division
Closing Date:29th October2026
Estimated Start Date: Monday, 23 November 2026
Initial Contract Duration: 23 November 2026 to 28 November 2027
Extension Term: No extensions available
Number of Extensions: 0
Experience Level: Level 3 (Professional Contractor)
Security Clearance: Must have an active Negative Vetting Level 1 (or higher) security clearance
Location of Work: Symonston Office, Symonston ACT 2609
Working Arrangements: Onsite at LNIC. The Professional Contractor is required to work from the Entity premises for all of the engagement. The RFQ overview also notes that non-permanent WFH and limited remote working arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Job Details

The LNIC requires a Level 3 Assistant Program Manager to supplement its blended workforce and support the development and execution of forward work planning, internal project management, risk management and work take on processes.
The position supports senior LNIC management in delivering annual programs of work, annual budget and phasing, vendor and project engagement, and business support.
The role requires a strong background in communications engineering and systems engineering to support the translation of technical concepts into defined work packages for execution by internal and external technical and non-technical organisations.
The Professional Contractor will report directly to the Staff Officer Grade 2 (SO2) Operations Officer, with the Staff Officer Grade 1 (SO1) Engineering and Support as the second-level supervisor.
This is a Level 3 position under the Panel, and applicants must meet the applicable skills and experience requirements.
A three (3) month probation period applies.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Assist in the creation and maintenance of the LNIC Program of Work, deriving tasking from the Army chain of command and requests from Joint forums/boards within the Defence Capability System.
Manage, coordinate and synchronise external work take on (WTO) activities, including clearly defined scope, deliverables, resource allocation and schedules.
Manage, coordinate and synchronise internal LNIC activities and tasks across LNIC teams and functional areas.
Assist in developing LNIC Project Management processes in consultation with the SO2 Operations Officer and manage Program Support Officer work outcomes.
Support LNIC risk management practices, including secretariat functions for internal and external engagements involving Joint, Coalition and Defence Industry stakeholders.
Support simple and complex procurement activities using the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and LNIC Procurement Work Instructions.
Assist in planning and executing LNIC support to Land, Joint and Coalition activities, including EX TALISMAN SABRE, EX MERCURY Series of activities, Joint Warfighting Series and Joint Warfighting Activities.
Provide other services as tasked by the SO2 Operations Officer or LNIC Military Executive Group.

Technical Skills

Program and project management, planning, risk management and governance
Communications engineering and systems engineering knowledge
Project and program management artefact development
MS Office and Atlassian – Jira
Defence Capability System policy and processes
Tactical and operational network integration within the ADF
Agile project software
Stakeholder management across technical and non-technical organisations
Commonwealth procurement processes

About the Team

The LNIC mission is to advise and direct Army on its digital network integration efforts to maximise interoperability across Land, Joint and Coalition interface boundaries and meet critical information exchange requirements through approved interfaces and standards.
The LNIC Operations Program Team (OPS-Prog) coordinates and synchronises external support to programs and projects across Land Capability Division, wider Army, Joint and Coalition stakeholders. The team oversees the LNIC Program of Work and manages directorate support activities and tasks across LNIC teams and functional areas.

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

Mandatory qualification and requirements:

Failure to meet or suitably address these requirements will be grounds for rejection of the submission.

This is a Level 3 position under the Panel and all applicants must meet the requirements of the skills and experience outlined in the Panel.

It is an ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT that the Professional Contractor has:

a. Bachelor degree or Higher in Project Management and/or Program management or Project management Certifications (ie PMI Program Management Professional, PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile Certifications, AIPM Certified Practising Project Director or Project Manager)

b. A minimum of 10 years of Industry experience in Program Management in order to meet the Level 3 Work Level Standards.

c. Must have an Negative Vetting 1 clearance

d. Must work in Canberra, ACT

Highly Desirable Criteria

It is a HIGHLY DESIRABLE that the Professional Contractor has extensive (greater than twelve years) experience in project/ program support, preferably within secure ICT systems in the Defence domain. This should include the development of project/ program management artefacts as listed in the deliverables below.

a. Proven experience as a program manager or relevant role.

b. Excellent organisational and leadership skills.

c. Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities.

d. Thorough understanding of diverse business processes and strategy development.

e. Excellent knowledge of MS Office and Atlassian – Jira

Desirable Criteria

It is DESIRABLE that the Professional Contractor has the following qualification and/or experience:

a. Qualifications, and practical experience in Project or Program Management.

b. A detailed understanding of the Defence Capability System policy and processes.

c. Experience with network integration at the tactical and operational levels within the ADF, including interfaces to strategic network boundaries.

d. Highly effective stakeholder management skills (internal and cross-organisation).

e. Experience in organisational and project risk management.

f. Delivering within the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act.

g. Experience with agile project software.

Why choose Pinaka

We know the government ICT market and we keep things straightforward. We take time to understand your background, your goals and the type of role that suits you. We believe transparency is about more than rates and our margins are fair and always disclosed.

What you can expect from us...