Job Opportunities in Australia

The Role
Commercial Division is seeking to fill multiple EL 1 positions within the Division. These positions will be required to have or the ability to quickly gain, an understanding of procurement, contracting and policy in a Government environment.

There are three potential roles;

Commercial Policy
The Commercial Policy team own and manage the Defence Commercial Framework (the Framework). The Framework is actively updated to keep Defence officials informed and compliant with relevant procurement policy. Our goal is ensure Defence remains legislatively compliant in its mission to defend and protect Australia and advance its strategic interests. The Framework mainly consists of the operational instructions, policy processes, and guidance that govern how Defence officials execute their duties relating to procurement and contract management.

The Commercial Policy team works with other Government agencies to develop whole-of-government policies and ensure that Defence procurement policies and practices are compliant with Commonwealth legislation, frameworks and policies.

Additionally, the Commercial Policy team liaise and provide advice across Defence on procurement policy and legislation, both through a group mailbox and consultation. The team works concurrently with Commercial Division Senior Executives in the implementation of new or updated procurement policy as administered by other relevant agencies, or Defence driven initiatives into the Defence Commercial Framework.

Procurement and Contracting Professionalisation
The Professionalisation team are the leads for the Procurement and Contracting Job Family. The team play a critical role in commercial acumen and ensuring Defence remains compliant when undertaking procurement and contracting activities. The team owns a number of learning and development courses and manage a number of initiatives and tools to uplift the commercial acumen of officials across Defence. This includes ownership of the Simple Procurement Course, the Commercial Competency matrix, and Professional memberships for Defence such as World CC. In addition to this, the team assists with uptake of the requirements and guidance within the Defence Commercial Framework.

Supporting the strategic direction for recruitment and retention across Defence, the Professionalisation team also provides strategic Human Resources (HR) support, which includes management and coordination entry level programs, such as School Leavers and Graduate programs, on behalf of Commercial Division.

The Professionalisation team regularly liaise with other Government Agencies such as Department of Finance, CASG L&D, CASG Entry level Programs and Defence People Group to carry out their function and ensure consistency across job families.

Procurement Complaints
The Defence Procurement Complaints Scheme (DPCS) team handles all complaints made by suppliers in relation to procurement processes undertaken by Defence from initial complaint to resolution with suppliers. The DPCS incorporates Defence’s statutory obligations under the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018.

The DPCS team collaborates with several areas within Defence including Commercial Division, Integrity Division and Defence Legal. The team works closely with Commercial Policy to incorporate lessons learnt into policy to ensure that Defence procurement processes follow best practice.
The DPCS team regularly liaises with the Department of Finance (including the Procurement Coordinator) to ensure consistency in the investigation of complaints.

The DPCS EL 1 is responsible for briefing First Assistant Secretary Commercial Division regarding all matters in relation to complaints.

About our Team
The Commercial Policy, Procurement Complaints and Professionalisation team works in a collaborative environment and provides high level strategic commercial policy and Professionalisation advice and support to a range of stakeholders including Defence Ministers, Senior Executives and Defence staff.

The team develops and manages the Defence Commercial Framework which includes procurement policies, processes and guidance materials to support Defence in its mission to Defence and protect Australia and advance its strategic interest.

The team works with other Government agencies to develop and implement whole of government policies and ensure that Defence procurement policies and practices are compliant with Commonwealth legislation, frameworks and policies.

Our Ideal Candidate
Commercial Division is seeking applications from talented and dedicated commercial, procurement and contracting professionals who enjoy supporting challenging and highly complex commercial activities and can drive innovative Commercial outcomes. To be successful in the role you will have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, be flexible and adaptable to change and an ability to work in a fast paced dynamic environment.

The Commercial team is collaborative and dynamic it its approach to achieving goals. As the EL 1, you will have an opportunity to lead bodies of work across the team.
As a member of the team you will:

• Develop and implement policy that is consistent with legislation and Commonwealth polices, guidance and process.
• Develop and manage training packages, enhancing procurement and contracting acumen across Defence.
• Provide mentoring and support to personnel new to Defence and Commercial Division.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and actively participate in team and group activities to deliver agreed outcomes.
• Be confident and professional when engaging with stakeholders from the public and private sector, at all levels of seniority.
• Provide timely and accurate commercial and procurement advice (written or verbal) on complex policy issues that is tailored to meet stakeholder needs.
• Proactively identify areas to improve policy, guidance and processes, and demonstrate the benefits and rationale for change.