Assistant Program Manager – Defence Networks | NV1 | Canberra

Pinaka; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinaka is seeking an Assistant Program Manager – Defence Networks for onsite work in Canberra. The role requires an active Negative Vetting Level 1 clearance and Australian citizenship. You will support the development and execution of programs, risk management, and engagement with Defence and industry partners.

The position emphasizes translating technical concepts into defined work packages, with supervision by SO2 and SO1 officers. A three-month probation applies for this Level 3 position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or higher in Project Management and/or related field; professional certifications preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Program Management to meet Level 3 standards.
• Must have Negative Vetting 1 clearance and be able to work in Canberra.

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating and maintaining the LNIC Program of Work derived from Army command requests.
• Coordinate external WTO activities with clear scope, deliverables, resources and schedules.
• Coordinate internal LNIC activities across teams and functional areas.
• Assist in developing LNIC PM processes with SO2 Operations Officer guidance.
• Support risk management practices and secretariat functions for engagements.
• Assist in planning and executing procurement using CPR and LNIC work instructions.
• Plan and execute LNIC support to Defence activities and exercises.
• Provide other services as tasked by supervisors.

Skills

Program management

Risk management

Communications engineering

Systems engineering

Stakeholder management

Agile

Procurement processes

Education

Bachelor degree or higher in Project Management / Program management

Tools

Jira

MS Office

Job description

Assistant Program Manager – Defence Networks | NV1 | Canberra

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

Location: Canberra (Onsite).

Assistant Program Manager

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

Location: Canberra (Onsite).

What to Submit

• A tailored resume in docx format
• An RFQ-tailored response addressing the evaluation criteria and position requirements
• Evidence of relevant qualifications, certifications, licences or registrations

RFQ Details

• RFQ ID: LCD-22-0466C
• Agency: Department of Defence, Land Capability Division
• Closing Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
• 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

• 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...

• Fair, disclosed margins
• Clear communication at every stage
• Honest advice on fit and competitiveness
• Visibility on submissions and process status
• A professional and respectful experience

How you are paid...

You choose what's best for you.

• PAYG through Pinaka
• Third-party payroll
• Self-employed (own ABN)
  With a single, transparent and fixed margin, we ensure compliance to all state and payroll laws. So that is one less thing for you to worry about.

BYO CONTRACT

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