Capability Costing Analyst

Department of Defence; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence in Canberra seeks a Capability Costing Analyst to support cost estimates for major capability proposals, including helicopters, ships, satellites and ICT systems.

You will gather costing inputs, validate assumptions, prepare written and verbal advice for senior leaders, and contribute to continuous improvement. Applicants must obtain Negative Vetting Level 1 clearance and adapt in a flexible, collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication across stakeholders.
• Problem-solving abilities and lateral thinking.
• Ability to analyse information and provide informed advice.
• Experience building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and analysis of cost estimates for capability proposals.
• Gather and validate costing inputs and assumptions from stakeholders.
• Prepare high-quality written and verbal advice for senior leaders and committees.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within costing processes and systems.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

STEM background

Education

Accounting / Finance / Economics / Project Management / STEM (desirable)

Job description

The Capability Costing Branch (CCB) within Defence Finance Group (DFG) provides independent and contestable financial analysis and assurance to Government on Capability Submissions. We work in partnership with the Defence community to drive better practice and transform costing.

We need people who are curious, adaptable and motivated by complex, real world problems rather than predictable routines. Your analysis will help inform Government decisions on major capability investments such as helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems.

This is not a role defined by monthly reporting cycles or predictability; instead, it rewards flexible thinking, intellectual curiosity and comfort with ambiguity.The pace can be fast and the thinking stretch based, but you will be well supported by an experienced, collaborative team with genuine access to senior Branch staff.

You will be a part of a team of professionals delivering accurate, timely and high quality analysis and advice to project teams and senior leaders on capability submissions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assist in development and analysis of cost estimates for capability proposals (e.g. helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems), in compliance with relevant costing policies, manuals and regulations.
• Gather and validate costing inputs and assumptions from stakeholders.
• Support in preparation of high-quality written and verbal advice for senior leaders and committees.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within costing processes and systems.

Defence is committed to supporting workplace flexibility. Due to operational requirements, our Branch often works on a classified network, which means there will be times when full-time presence in the office is necessary. Where it does not conflict with these requirements, some working-from-home arrangements can be negotiated.

About our Team

The Capability Costing Branch (CCB) provides end-to-end costing support across the Defence enterprise throughout the Government approvals process. The Branch’s primary responsibility is to conduct cost risk analysis of capability proposals and deliver informed advice to the Chief Finance Officer.

CCB also plays a key role in connecting and supporting the professional costing community by:

• Developing policy and technical solutions.
• Providing strategic and technical costing support and advice.
• Building a sustainable and skilled costing workforce.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and attributes:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to work collaboratively across a range of stakeholders.
• Problem-solving abilities and an ability to think laterally.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and provide advice.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a service mentality to assist our business colleagues in their role, responding to queries and assisting them as required.
• A focus on continuous improvement and adding value through improving processes and systems.
• A background in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Project Management or STEM is highly desirable.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

The Capability Costing Branch (CCB) within Defence Finance Group (DFG) provides independent and contestable financial analysis and assurance to Government on Capability Submissions. We work in partnership with the Defence community to drive better practice and transform costing.

We need people who are curious, adaptable and motivated by complex, real world problems rather than predictable routines. Your analysis will help inform Government decisions on major capability investments such as helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems.

This is not a role defined by monthly reporting cycles or predictability; instead, it rewards flexible thinking, intellectual curiosity and comfort with ambiguity.The pace can be fast and the thinking stretch based, but you will be well supported by an experienced, collaborative team with genuine access to senior Branch staff.

You will be a part of a team of professionals delivering accurate, timely and high quality analysis and advice to project teams and senior leaders on capability submissions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assist in development and analysis of cost estimates for capability proposals (e.g. helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems), in compliance with relevant costing policies, manuals and regulations.
• Gather and validate costing inputs and assumptions from stakeholders.
• Support in preparation of high-quality written and verbal advice for senior leaders and committees.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within costing processes and systems.

Defence is committed to supporting workplace flexibility. Due to operational requirements, our Branch often works on a classified network, which means there will be times when full-time presence in the office is necessary. Where it does not conflict with these requirements, some working-from-home arrangements can be negotiated.

About our Team

The Capability Costing Branch (CCB) provides end-to-end costing support across the Defence enterprise throughout the Government approvals process. The Branch’s primary responsibility is to conduct cost risk analysis of capability proposals and deliver informed advice to the Chief Finance Officer.

CCB also plays a key role in connecting and supporting the professional costing community by:

• Developing policy and technical solutions.
• Providing strategic and technical costing support and advice.
• Building a sustainable and skilled costing workforce.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and attributes:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to work collaboratively across a range of stakeholders.
• Problem-solving abilities and an ability to think laterally.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and provide advice.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a service mentality to assist our business colleagues in their role, responding to queries and assisting them as required.
• A focus on continuous improvement and adding value through improving processes and systems.
• A background in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Project Management or STEM is highly desirable.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers