Strategic Support Officer

Department of Defence; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence invites applications for an APS 6 Strategic Support Officer to backfill a maternity leave. The role supports delivery of ministerial, parliamentary, media and executive business to advance divisional priorities.

It involves close work with senior managers to coordinate and deliver high-priority items, ensuring accurate and timely support. The position may be filled in Canberra or Melbourne, with Melbourne preferred, and requires the ability to obtain Negative Vetting Level

Qualifications

• Our ideal candidate is highly organised and proactive with strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication to prepare and quality-assure briefing materials.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver high-priority ministerial, parliamentary, media and executive business.
• Provide accurate, timely and effective support to senior leadership.
• Prepare and quality assure complex briefing and executive materials.

Skills

Coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Verbal communication

Prioritisation

Job description

The APS 6 Strategic Support Officer is a critical position within the Office of Head Joint Aviation Systems Division (JASD), supporting the timely delivery of Ministerial, Parliamentary, media and executive business to achieve divisional and broader Defence outcomes.

Working closely with the Strategic Engagements and Ministerial Affairs Manager and the Portfolio Capability Manager, the Strategic Support Officer will contribute to the coordination and delivery of high-priority business, ensuring accurate, timely and effective support to senior leadership while advancing JASD and Defence priorities.

This position can be undertaken in either Canberra or Melbourne with Melbourne being the preference.

This role is being offered on a non-ongoing basis to backfill a maternity leave vacancy for a period of up to 20 months.

About our Team

Joint Aviation Systems Division partners with Defence Industry to acquire and sustain helicopters, uncrewed aircraft systems and aircrew training systems for the Australian Defence Force. Located in Brindabella Business Park Canberra and Defence Plaza Melbourne, the Office of Head Joint Aviation Systems is responsible for supporting the Division Head and effectively managing Divisional operations across a broad range of areas.

Our small, well-skilled and diverse team is dedicated to continuous improvement through innovation and leveraging our varied skills and experiences. Collectively we rely on each other’s knowledge and strengths to achieve high quality outcomes, providing a great environment to expand your skill set.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a highly organised and proactive professional with strong coordination, communication and stakeholder engagement skills. They will be capable of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, exercising sound judgement and initiative to deliver high-quality outcomes.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare and quality assure complex briefing and executive materials that are clear, accurate and aligned with Divisional objectives. They will build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships, work effectively both independently and as part of a team, and contribute to continuous improvement and team capability.

Experience in, or the ability to quickly develop knowledge of, Ministerial, Parliamentary, Cabinet and media processes, is desired but not essential.

Security Clearance

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

Eligibility

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