Policy Officer

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence in Canberra is seeking a capable APS6 Policy Officer to advance the Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) Directorate's international engagement program. You will work across Defence and with Australian Government agencies and international partners to deliver strategic policy and engagement outcomes.

The role focuses on developing briefs, coordinating activities, and supporting GPS governance and reporting within a tight, collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to prepare high-quality briefs, talking points, and reports.
• Ability to work independently under limited direction and to short timeframes.
• Capacity to develop and support complex relationships with stakeholders across Defence, government, civil society and international partners.

Responsibilities

• Support integration of GPS into Defence's international engagement ecosystem.
• Develop briefs and talking points for strategic dialogues.
• Coordinate planning, delivery and reporting of international engagement activities.
• Support broader GPS Directorate policy and engagement activities as required.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical skills

Briefs and talking points

Independent work

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

The Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) Directorate is seeking a high-performing and motivated APS6 Policy Officer to fill a current vacancy. You will contribute to Defence’s international engagement priorities in support of Australia’s national interests. The APS 6 Policy Officer will work across Defence, and with Australian Government agencies and international partners, to deliver the international engagement program within the GPS Directorate, reporting to the Deputy Director GPS. The main responsibilities for this role are to:

• Support the integration of GPS into Defence’s international engagement eco-system,
• Develop briefs and talking points for strategic dialogues,
• Coordinate the planning, delivery and reporting of international engagement activities,
• Support broader GPS Directorate policy and engagement activities as required.

About our Team

The ADF Sport and GPS Branch is a small, dynamic team (ADF and APS) within Joint Support Services Division, working at the intersection of strategic policy, international engagement, and operational capability.

The GPS Directorate leads Defence’s contribution to Australia’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2021–2031). The Directorate works with service Gender Advisors, the Australian Civil-Military Centre, other Government agencies (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Home Affairs, and Australian Federal Police) and international partners to achieve the long-term strategy Australia has set out. The team focuses on key lines of effort: policy, training, mission readiness, international engagement and governance and reporting.

The team values collaboration, professionalism, and respect, with a shared commitment to advancing Defence’s strategic objectives in a close-knit team environment.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a self-motivated, collaborative and adaptable Policy Officer to contribute to our strategic goals, who thrives in a small, dynamic team environment. You will be respectful of the unique nature of ADF service and operational contexts. You should demonstrate sound judgment, with an innovative approach to problem-solving and resilience and flexibility in the face of changing priorities.

Our ideal candidate would offer:

• Strong research and analytical skills,
• The ability to prepare high-quality briefs, talking points, and reports,
• The ability to work independently under limited direction and to short timeframes, and
• The capacity to develop and support complex relationships with stakeholders across Defence, government, civil society and international partners.

Security Cearance

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 Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) Directorate is seeking a high-performing and motivated APS6 Policy Officer to fill a current vacancy. You will contribute to Defence’s international engagement priorities in support of Australia’s national interests. The APS 6 Policy Officer will work across Defence, and with Australian Government agencies and international partners, to deliver the international engagement program within the GPS Directorate, reporting to the Deputy Director GPS. The main responsibilities for this role are to:

• Support the integration of GPS into Defence’s international engagement eco-system,
• Develop briefs and talking points for strategic dialogues,
• Coordinate the planning, delivery and reporting of international engagement activities,
• Support broader GPS Directorate policy and engagement activities as required.

About our Team

The ADF Sport and GPS Branch is a small, dynamic team (ADF and APS) within Joint Support Services Division, working at the intersection of strategic policy, international engagement, and operational capability.

The GPS Directorate leads Defence’s contribution to Australia’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2021–2031). The Directorate works with service Gender Advisors, the Australian Civil-Military Centre, other Government agencies (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Home Affairs, and Australian Federal Police) and international partners to achieve the long-term strategy Australia has set out. The team focuses on key lines of effort: policy, training, mission readiness, international engagement and governance and reporting.

The team values collaboration, professionalism, and respect, with a shared commitment to advancing Defence’s strategic objectives in a close-knit team environment.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a self-motivated, collaborative and adaptable Policy Officer to contribute to our strategic goals, who thrives in a small, dynamic team environment. You will be respectful of the unique nature of ADF service and operational contexts. You should demonstrate sound judgment, with an innovative approach to problem-solving and resilience and flexibility in the face of changing priorities.

• Strong research and analytical skills,
• The ability to prepare high-quality briefs, talking points, and reports,
• The ability to work independently under limited direction and to short timeframes, and
• The capacity to develop and support complex relationships with stakeholders across Defence, government, civil society and international partners.

Eligibility

Security Cearance

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