Contracts Manager – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0769908
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Contracts Manager
- Position Number: JCG/02669/26
- Classification: APS Level 6
- Closing Date: Monday 15 June 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Edinburgh SA
- Future Merit Locations: Edinburgh
- Salary: $99,733 – $112,431
- Office Arrangement: On Site (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
Joint Survivability Tactics and Validation unit (JSTVU) a small Unit under JCG (Joint Capabilities
Group), initially established to provide a survivability and tactics validation capability for Navy and
Army based on the Air Force airborne countermeasures development and validation exemplar. A
small and dynamic team, JSTVU benefits from the diversity of its people, which includes
uniformed, public service and specialist contractors.
JSTVU are supported through both Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) public
servants and contractors and employ an end-to-end trials process to assess susceptibility and
vulnerability of naval and land platforms against threats that use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
In developing these assessments, JSTVU examines tactics, techniques, procedures, capability
gaps and countermeasures through field trials, as well as synthetic modelling and simulation.
Our Ideal Candidate
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Contract and Procurement Management
Financial Management and Advice
Governance, Risk and Compliance
Stakeholder Engagement and Advice
Reporting, Analysis and Advice
Leadership and Team Contribution
Duties
- The Role
- The APS 6 Contract Manager is accountable under broad direction for managing complex
- procurement, contract management and financial activities in support of a tri-service operational
- environment. The role requires the application of Defence procurement and finance frameworks,
- sound judgement, and proactive stakeholder engagement to deliver compliant, value for money
- outcomes.
- The position exercises initiative and independence consistent with APS6 work level standards,
- provides detailed technical, professional and policy advice, and contributes directly to
- organisational and operational business outcomes within a complex and regulated environment.
- Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Contract and Procurement Management
- Manage the full lifecycle of complex contracts, including procurement planning,
- tendering, negotiation, establishment, administration, performance management,
- variation, extension and contract close out activities.
- Ensure all procurement and contract management activities comply with the
- Commonwealth Procurement Rules, Defence procurement policy, relevant legislation,
- and internal governance requirements.
- Develop, review and maintain procurement and contract documentation, including
- templates, schedules, correspondence, reports, submissions, plans, strategies, risk
- assessments, performance reviews and contract change proposals.
- Apply legal principles, legislative obligations, commercial risk considerations and
- performance requirements in contract formation and management.
- Monitor contractor performance against contractual obligations, deliverables, KPIs and
- service levels, and contribute to appropriate remedial actions where required.
- Financial Management and Advice
- Accountable for finance planning and management related to contracts and tri service
- travel and support services.
- Provide support in managing budgets, forecasts and financial plans; undertake
- financial activities including commitment and accrual management, invoice verification,
- payment approval, cost analysis and reconciliation.
- Provide financial advice, direction and assistance to support procurement, contract
- management and operational decision making, including technical, commercial, legal
- and financial considerations.
- Ensure compliance with the PGPA Act, Defence Finance legislation, policies,
- delegations, processes and procedures.
- Prepare, manage and process finance-related documentation, including Defence
- Processing Forms (e.g. AE643s & MyProcurement), purchase orders and associated
- records.
- Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Monitor and manage contract performance, administration and risks, identifying issues
- and recommending mitigation strategies and continuous improvement opportunities.
- Ensure accurate, timely and auditable records are maintained in Defence financial and
- ICT systems, including the Commitment Register, Objective and related systems.
- Manage and ensure compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- requirements across all contract activities, deliverables, and stakeholder engagements.
- Contribute to governance activities such as audit preparation, monitoring the
- compliance of contractors, consultants, OSPs, and other persons engaged under a
- contract with the terms of their contractual arrangements, including contractual security
- obligations – under the direction and guidance of Unit Security Staff.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Advice
- Engage, negotiate and maintain productive relationships with internal stakeholders,
- external suppliers and contractors.
- Respond to complex enquiries and contract management issues, taking initiative to
- identify alternative courses of action where necessary.
- Seek, interpret and provide expert advice on complex procurement, contract and
- financial matters, delivering clear and authoritative guidance.
- Reporting, Analysis and Advice
- Prepare briefs, reports and correspondence for senior leadership.
- Analyse financial and contract performance data to identify trends, risks and
- improvement opportunities.
- Contribute to business planning, performance reporting and resource allocation
- activities.
- Leadership and Team Contribution
- Build and sustain productive working relationships with supervisors, staff and team
- members.
- Actively contribute to team collaboration, capability development and a positive team
- culture, including providing guidance and informal mentoring where appropriate.
- Seek and act on feedback from supervisors to confirm performance expectations and
- continuous improvement.
Eligibility / Notes
- Security Clearance
- Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
How to Apply
Position Contact Karishma Karishma, 08 7375 5653
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=12E4F23D-BC55-721B-560B-ECF2B3D83
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
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