APS6 - Project Officer, Territories Capital and Major Projects

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available 

About us:

The Territories Capital and Major Projects (TCMP) section primarily delivers infrastructure projects related to Australia’s external territories of Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (which make up the Indian Ocean Territories or IOT), Norfolk Island, as well as the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT)on the mainland. TCMP manages and delivers a broad range of complex capital investment projects, procurement of complex service management contracts and management of major service contracts.

The opportunity we have available:

The Project Officer reports to the Project Manager (PM) in the TCMP section. The Project Officer will assist the PM in the management and delivery of major projects and complex contracts, with a focus on delivery and program compliance.

What will you do? 

The Project Officers key duties include:

The Project Officer’s primary task will be to perform administrative tasks, procurement, project management and contract management services under the guidance of the Project Manager (who reports to the Director of TCMP). You may also have responsibility for your own projects. Tasks include:

• Under general and limited supervision from the Project Manager undertake various project management tasks in the procurement of service delivery contracts and capital investment projects
• Assist in the engagement and management of external contractors and specialist advisers to ensure successful project delivery
• Assist in the provision of financial reporting on the Territories Capital Works Program
• Prepare Briefs and Minutes to senior officers and Project Steering Committees
• Review contract documentation and assist in contract negotiations and final contract execution
• Provide administrative support to projects – preparation of briefs, reports, plans, schedules, minutes, financial management
• Conduct procurements using Department templates and/or Commonwealth templates – preparation of documents such as the procurement plan, evaluation plan, request for tender and evaluation report, conduct market research, liaise with suppliers, evaluate responses, prepare and execute contract documents 
• Perform contract management responsibilities – goods receipting and processing of invoices, assessment and management of variations, monitoring of milestones, review and approval of deliverables and reporting
• Generally, assist in the work of the section or as directed by management
• Managing contractors and consultants for the provision of project management services, design services, procurement services, construction works, reporting on project progress and development and maintenance of project schedules and other expert advice on a range of issues relating to infrastructure projects;
• Overseeing and managing complex construction and consultant contracts, often remotely; and
• Ensuring that projects and services delivered are consistent with the broader asset management system, project governance systems, and the capital works program.
   

Other core duties include

• Liaising with staff and senior executive officers across the Branch, the Division, the Department and other Commonwealth agencies on capital projects as required;
• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with the broad range of stakeholders, including staff located in Perth, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island and the Jervis Bay Territory, community and business leaders, commercial service providers, and Administrators appointed to the Australian external territories;
• Preparing and coordinating New Policy Proposals, complex procurement (probity, tenders, evaluation / reporting, and selection), contract management administration and documentation, minutes, briefings and correspondence for Senior Executive Staff, Ministers and Parliamentary Committees using Departmental templates and processes; and
• Providing financial reporting and administrative support to the Section / Branch / Division and ensuring project governance arrangements are in place for significant projects you are responsible for. In this role you will be required to perform duties in accordance with the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

who are we looking for?

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS level 6 Work level standards.

We are looking for team members who have experience in or can bring existing skills to:

• Procurement activities in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules
• Apply initiative and judgement in the application of project procedures
• Manage and report on project finances and scheduling
• Work autonomously
• Produce high quality drafts requiring little or no revision before finalisation
• Provide excellent communication, liaison and interpersonal skills – written and verbal
• Support and undertake client-side project management in a Government context
• Work at high tempo for short periods and complete tasks on short notice

Required experience and qualities
  

• Energetic, enthusiastic and keen willingness to learn
• Strong administration skills with experience using MS Project or similar software
• Demonstrated ability to develop productive working relationships (internal and external stakeholders)
• Demonstrated ability to undertake complex procurement activities
• Demonstrated high standard of oral and written communication, liaison and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement
• Demonstrated personal drive and integrity
• Sound understanding of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules

Desirable experience and qualities

• Project and contract management experience in the successful delivery of capital acquisition projects
• Experience in undertaking procurement in in line with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules
• An understanding of the security requirements for working in a Commonwealth Department – email classification systems, document security classifications (can be acquired on the job)

The role may include travel to Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island and Jervis Bay Territory.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Proven ability to effectively coordinate work ensuring high quality and timely outcomes.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, including strong attention to detail.
• Ability to provide timely and concise advice to inform and support executive decision making.
• Ability to establish and maintain key strategic relationships with a broad range of stakeholders

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability, and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer?

Eligibility requirements 

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline level.  You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.  You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances.  More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 21 November 2025

Applications close: 30 November 2025

Application shortlisting: 5 December 2025

Further assessments: 12 December 2025

Selection report finalised: 9 January 2026

Offers and announcements: 16 January 2026

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Sunday 30 November 2025.

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than two pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than three pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.

Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system.  Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email [email protected] 

Work with us. Apply now!