Contracting Officer

Department of Defence; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BDCP premium

Job summary

The Department of Defence, Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships (OPSS) Branch, seeks an APS 6 Contracting Officer to support procurement, contracting and contract management across acquisition projects. You will provide commercial advice, maintain governance frameworks and monitor performance against contractual obligations.

Key responsibilities include risk management, procurement in line with CPRs and Defence policies, and mentoring colleagues to build commercial capability within OPSS.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex contracts and delivering commercial outcomes.
• Strong understanding of procurement, contracting and commercial governance principles.
• Ability to provide strategic commercial advice to senior executives and manage risks.
• Ability to analyse complex issues and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial advice and support to contract managers and stakeholders across OPSS Branch Acquisition Projects.
• Manage and maintain commercial governance frameworks, including procurement policies and guidance.
• Monitor and report on contractual obligations and key commercial activities to support compliance and performance outcomes.
• Identify commercial risks and contract change requirements and develop mitigation strategies.
• Undertake procurement activities in accordance with CPRs and Defence policies.
• Mentor and develop commercial capability within OPSS Branch.

Job description

As an APS 6 Contracting Officer within the Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships (OPSS) Branch, you will experience diverse and meaningful work supporting the Branch with procurement, contracting and contract management.

In this role, you will:

• Provide commercial advice and support to contract managers, project personnel and stakeholders across OPSS Branch Acquisition Projects.
• Manage and maintain commercial governance frameworks, including procurement and contracting policies, processes, templates and guidance.
• Monitor and report on contractual obligations, deliverables and key commercial activities to support compliance and performance outcomes.
• Identify commercial risks and contract change requirements and develop mitigation strategies in accordance with Defence policy and contractual frameworks.
• Undertake procurement activities in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), Defence procurement policies, and legislative requirements.
• Support the development of commercial capability within OPSS Branch through mentoring, guidance and knowledge sharing activities.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

The OPSS Branch delivers some of Defence’s most visible and impactful maritime capability acquisitions. Our work directly contributes to Australia’s national security, maritime surveillance, and border protection, through the acquisition of patrol boats, specialist vessels, and emerging maritime capabilities.

We are responsible for a diverse portfolio that includes the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats, the Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Panel, and a range of other capability to support emerging operational requirements.

Our culture strikes a strong balance between professionalism and authenticity. We value initiative, strategic thinking, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to challenge constructively. People are trusted to take ownership, work collaboratively and bring fresh perspectives to complex problems.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual with:

• Demonstrated experience in managing complex contracts and delivering commercial outcomes, including the management of strategic suppliers and high-value agreements.
• A strong understanding of procurement, contracting and commercial governance principles, with the ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, contractual frameworks and government requirements.
• The ability to provide strategic commercial advice to senior executives, identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities, and contribute to organisational objectives through effective contract and supplier management.
• The ability to analyse complex issues, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Our ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organisational skills and a high level of attention to detail, with the ability to proactively manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within tight timeframes. They will possess effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills, enabling them to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively across diverse teams.

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

As an APS 6 Contracting Officer within the Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships (OPSS) Branch, you will experience diverse and meaningful work supporting the Branch with procurement, contracting and contract management.

In this role, you will:

• Provide commercial advice and support to contract managers, project personnel and stakeholders across OPSS Branch Acquisition Projects.
• Manage and maintain commercial governance frameworks, including procurement and contracting policies, processes, templates and guidance.
• Monitor and report on contractual obligations, deliverables and key commercial activities to support compliance and performance outcomes.
• Identify commercial risks and contract change requirements and develop mitigation strategies in accordance with Defence policy and contractual frameworks.
• Undertake procurement activities in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), Defence procurement policies, and legislative requirements.
• Support the development of commercial capability within OPSS Branch through mentoring, guidance and knowledge sharing activities.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

The OPSS Branch delivers some of Defence’s most visible and impactful maritime capability acquisitions. Our work directly contributes to Australia’s national security, maritime surveillance, and border protection, through the acquisition of patrol boats, specialist vessels, and emerging maritime capabilities.

We are responsible for a diverse portfolio that includes the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats, the Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Panel, and a range of other capability to support emerging operational requirements.

Our culture strikes a strong balance between professionalism and authenticity. We value initiative, strategic thinking, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to challenge constructively. People are trusted to take ownership, work collaboratively and bring fresh perspectives to complex problems.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual with:

• Demonstrated experience in managing complex contracts and delivering commercial outcomes, including the management of strategic suppliers and high-value agreements.
• A strong understanding of procurement, contracting and commercial governance principles, with the ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, contractual frameworks and government requirements.
• The ability to provide strategic commercial advice to senior executives, identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities, and contribute to organisational objectives through effective contract and supplier management.
• The ability to analyse complex issues, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Our ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organisational skills and a high level of attention to detail, with the ability to proactively manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within tight timeframes. They will possess effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills, enabling them to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively across diverse teams.

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