Senior Procurement Advisor

Department of Education and Training of Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education and Training is seeking a Senior Procurement Advisor to join the centralised Procurement team in Canberra. You will provide strategic procurement advice, ensure compliance with the Commonwealth rules, and support business areas with complex guidance and procurement reviews.

You will engage with stakeholders, lead training activities, manage procurement systems, and contribute to timely reporting through AusTender and related frameworks.

Qualifications

• Procurement experience in policy-aligned environments.
• Sound understanding of Commonwealth procurement rules and frameworks.
• Experience providing strategic procurement guidance to diverse business areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on procurement and contracting matters to internal business areas.
• Deliver high-quality customer service to stakeholders via helpdesk and written guidance.
• Develop and deliver procurement training and guidance to internal customers.
• Coordinate reporting to AusTender, Senate Order and Indigenous Procurement Policy.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Strategic procurement advice

Leadership & coaching

Customer service

Governance & compliance

Procurement systems

AusTender

TechnologyOne

Tools

AusTender

TechnologyOne

Job description

• Finance & Investment Division

We are seeking an experienced procurement professional who has the proven ability to work in a high paced dynamic team, can build and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders and possesses high-level attention to detail. As part of the departments centralised procurement team you will contribute to the procurement and contracting function within the department.

Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Finance & Investment Division and the departments’ goal.

Our division ensures the department remains financially sustainable, compliant and well-equipped to meet its goals. We provide expert financial advice, tools and support to help teams manage budgets, make informed decisions and use public resources responsibly. By partnering across the department we help align financial processes with strategic priorities. We also support ministers and stakeholders with clear, accurate financial insights that drive effective policy and program delivery.

We support the department’s financial transactions and systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance and efficiency. Our team manages accounts payable and receivable, travel, procurement, grants, payroll and financial systems. We provide advice and training to help staff navigate financial processes confidently. By maintaining robust financial operations we enable teams to meet their responsibilities and deliver outcomes that reflect responsible use of public resources.

The Procurement Section is responsible for providing strategic expert advice on the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, procurement connected policies and the departments procurement framework and processes as well as undertaking procurement activities (including reporting) and providing advice on collaborative agreements.

This is where you play an important role.

We are seeking experienced procurement professionals who have the proven ability to work in a high paced dynamic team, build and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders and possess high-level attention to detail. As part of the departments centralised Procurement team, you will contribute to the procurement and contracting function within the department.

The Senior Procurement Advisor will exercise both initiative and judgement in the interpretation of policy and in the application of practices and procedures. Duties may include:

• providing strategic advice, practical guidance and solutions on procurement and contracting matters to business areas including complex probity and procurement compliance reviews of approaches to market in line with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act 2013 and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules
• providing quality and timely customer service to stakeholders through the Procurement Helpdesk via phone and email, giving clear verbal advice/guidance as well as quality written information to support decision making
• developing cooperative working relationships with internal and external customers to ensure achievement of service delivery outcomes and the departments objectives including assisting business areas to ensure compliance of procurement processes with governance frameworks and the timely completion of procurement activities
• assisting with the development, coordination and delivery of procurement training to internal customers
• providing leadership, guidance and coaching to direct report/s to ensure the delivery of effective and efficient outcomes and that the service provided meets the needs of the department’s internal and external stakeholders
• maintaining internal and external procurement systems, including AusTender
• managing and approving workflow using the TechnologyOne Financial Management Information System
• coordinating and administering mandatory procurement reporting requirements including AusTender, Senate Order and Indigenous Procurement Policy reporting.

Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill one vacancy in the section and that the role may be able to be performed from either of the locations listed above. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

Who we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

We are looking for applicants that possess demonstrated procurement-related experience in the following:

• Working in a team that provides a broad range of support, systems and solutions to policy areas ensuring compliance with the legislation and policies relevant to the above functions.
• Building and sustaining relationships with stakeholders and subject matter experts, both internal and external, to deliver financial outcomes.
• Leading the implementation of best practice approaches to developing capabilities and increasing operational effectiveness and informing business decisions.
• Providing evidence-based advice and policy direction to managers and staff on financial management policies and strategies.
• Providing high-level financial support and advice.
• Managing financial governance requirements and compliance with the financial management framework.
• Employment in a similar position for two or more years.
• The use of TechnologyOne (desirable but not mandatory).

Applicants should also have a sound knowledge of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework and the practical application of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

VetPaths

The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support. More information can be found here.