Description : APS 5 - Contracting Officer. Company : Australian Government Department of Defence. Location : Canberra ACT+1 location

• $78,143 - $83,700 (plus Super)
• Fairbairn - ACT

The Role
We are seeking to recruit two APS5 Contract Officers for a fantastic opportunity in a dynamic team. As an APS5 Contract Officer you will be accountable under broad direction to perform and achieve complex and sensitive contract management and procurement activities. You will be asked to exercise sound decision making and apply good judgement. You will work closely with senior personnel, internal and external stakeholders in support of the Directorate of Business and Contract Management (DBCM) at Defence Force Recruiting (DFR).

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitor, provide advice and assist with procurement planning, tendering and contract formation and contract management activities, ensuring compliance with legislation, procurement policies, processes and procedures.
• Coordinate the provision of advice, assistance and services for procurement policy, technical, commercial, legal, financial investigation and other requirements as applicable in order to support contract management outcomes.
• Apply knowledge to deliver procurement related documentation including templates, schedule, correspondence, reports, submissions, plans and strategies, risk and performance reviews, contract change proposals and other contract management documentation.
• Engage and negotiate with clients and stakeholders including project team members and subject matter experts and respond to complex enquiries and contract management issues.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with supervisors, staff, team members and suppliers.
• Assess and recommend mitigation strategies for the risks associated with contract management activities, supplier’s performance and compliance with mandatory requirements and suggest relevant improvement.
• Maintain accurate contract records.
• Seek, interpret, recommend and provide advice and assistance on complex procurement and contract management issues.
• Provide contractual representation at internal and external meetings.
• Monitor and manage contract administration, performance and risks against the contract and contribute to implementing appropriate action.
• Contribute to building DFR’s strategic and business planning capabilities.

About our Team
Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) is a public-private collaboration between Defence and a recruiting company and provides recruiting services to the Australian Defence Force in accordance with standards and policies set by the Navy, Army and Air Force. Recruiting services are delivered using a mix of military, APS and contractor staff operating in a high energy, multi-vendor environment which is responsible for directly delivering capability to the Australian Defence Force.

With the expiry of the existing contract in 2022, Defence undertook a procurement for recruiting services and is now preparing for transition to a new capability partner. The tender to contract the recruiting company for Defence Force Recruiting was finalised in October 2022 and the new capability partner will take operational control from 01 July 2023. There is an eight month transition period which commenced in November 2022 and implementation of the new recruiting solution will continue into 2024.

The Directorate of Business and Contract Management (DBCM) within DFR, provides financial and business support services for the Branch and contract management of those specialists engaged to support the recruitment effort.

This is an exciting time for our team as Defence prepares to transition contracts and transform its approach to ADF recruiting. If you want to be part of implementing new processes, transforming the approach to ADF recruiting and impacting Defence capability then we want to hear from you.

Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidates will have a well-developed understanding of and knowledge of contract management and procurement processes, policies and procedures. You will also have well-developed knowledge of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and the Defence Procurement Policy Manual.

Other beneficial skills and attributes are:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to achieve deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Sound skills in Microsoft Office applications, in particular MS Word and MS Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders both internal and external.
• High-level customer service skills to ensure customers receive prompt and reliable advice.
• Some knowledge or interest in the broad fields of recruitment, media, advertising and related activities.