NEMA Senior AusAlert Contract Officer

Job Details

Job Req ID

NEMA - 141743

Location

ACT 

Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time 

Classification

APS Level 6 - $99,734.00 to $111,701.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Sally Buik at sally.buik@nema.gov.au  

Office Arrangements

Flexible  - Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational requirements of the role.
 

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill 1 immediate position/s. 

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.

About the National Emergency Management Agency

The National Emergency Management Agency's work has a real impact on the lives of Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional areas.

The National Emergency Management Agency's guiding principle is “Locally led, locally understood and locally implemented” and we bring together local communities, government, non-government and key industry representatives to support disaster recovery and resilience across the country.

Your work will help people who are recovering from natural disasters and prepare them for the future.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established on 1 September 2022 as a single, accountable Commonwealth authority that delivers a whole-of-nation approach to reducing disaster risk, planning, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all hazards across the emergency management continuum. 

NEMA works closely with states and territories to deliver the best outcome for communities across Australia. To help communities respond and recover, while preparing Australia for future emergencies, we:

• Fund programs and initiatives, big and small, that help communities in times of emergency, as well as to recover and prepare, including through disaster recovery funding and the Disaster Ready Fund to help reduce the risk and impact of disasters
• Have officers located across Australia, working in partnership with states and territories to support disaster-affected communities to collectively build resilience, reduce risk and harm, and effectively respond to and recover from disasters
• Provide national leadership to share knowledge, situational awareness, and trends in disaster efforts to inform, guide and shape the national picture and decision-making at the Commonwealth, state and local government level – including through policy development and strategy to improve risk reduction, resilience and recovery
• Provide round-the-clock all-hazards monitoring and operational coordination for domestic and international emergencies, including supply chain disruptions, critical infrastructure outages, biosecurity risks and widespread cyber-attacks, and through supporting preparedness and response activities, including through the operationalisation of the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework.
   

For further information on NEMA’s purpose, vision and values, please see the NEMA website.

Overview of the branch and section

The AusAlert Capability Sustainment Section will work at the interface of government, industry and technology to oversee and manage all non-operational matters related to the ongoing sustainment of Australia’s National Messaging System known as AusAlert.

AusAlert will enable emergency service organisations to deliver emergency and public safety advice, alerts, and warnings quickly and securely to compatible mobile and other SIM-enabled devices in a geographically targeted area using cell-broadcast technology.

When AusAlert is fully implemented, there are expected to be up to 1,300 trained and on-boarded users from state and territory emergency service agencies, including police and rural fire service organisations, as well as from the Australian Government National Situation Room. 

The AusAlert Capability Sustainment Section will be responsible for contract management, training and certification, policy and governance of this national capability.

About the role

The APS 6 Senior AusAlert Contract Officer will provide day-to-day contract management to support the performance of the AusAlert vendor arrangements. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director Contract Manager, the role is responsible for administering, monitoring, and enforcing contractual obligations across several major complex contracts, and for providing contract management support for the delivery, management, enhancement and sustainment of AusAlert.

The role also provides surge capacity and continuity of contract oversight during periods of heightened operational demand, system change, national testing or incident response. It works across government, industry, and technology partners to manage supplier relationships, coordinate governance activities, and support delivery against project milestones for AusAlert.

At times staff within NEMA may be required to work outside of standard business hours, particularly during the high-risk weather season.

Our ideal candidate

To be successful in this role, the individual will bring a proactive and innovative approach, with the ability to work both collaboratively and independently in a dynamic environment. The individual will apply sound judgement and strong analytical thinking to navigate complex issues and deliver practical solutions.

The individual will also demonstrate high-level organisational skills and clear, effective written communication, with a strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail. Experience in procurement, contract management or project management will support the ability to manage competing priorities and contribute to the successful delivery of outcomes.

We encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age people and people from other diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a working environment that values diversity and inclusion and supports staff to reach their full potential.

Duties and responsibilities

Under limited direction this role is responsible for: 

• Managing complex telecommunications contracts including vendor performance and contract compliance, in consultation with internal and external Commonwealth and jurisdiction stakeholders 
• Overseeing contract lifecycles, ensuring supplier compliance with service level agreements, and managing purchase orders and outline agreements 
• Assisting with or leading tender processes, contract negotiations, contract variations and procurement planning 
• Providing accurate and specialised advice, anticipating problems and contributing to issues management 
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and provide technical and policy advice 
• Identifying and managing potential risks, monitoring expenditure against contractual limits and tracking performance against agreed contractual obligations and milestones 
• Managing financial and administrative contract activities, including invoice processing, vendor liaison, monitoring deliverables and quality assurance against statements of work 
• Making decisions using sound judgement, expertise and knowledge under limited guidance 
• Complying with government and NEMA contract management policies and frameworks 
• Maintaining complete and accurate contract records, including invoicing, payments, variations and extensions, within NEMA’s records and financial management systems 
• Investigating and analysing complex contractual issues, developing practical solutions and escalating matters where required 
• Contributing to the development of team objectives for short-term tasks and longer-term strategic planning.

Role requirements/qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in procurement and contract management is desirable
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-profile environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders across government, industry, and the community
• Sound judgement and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex and technical information, and provide clear advice
• Ability to draft high-level written material, submissions and briefs regarding complex matters
• High level coordination or project management skills
• Strong computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Office and SharePoint
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills, with a high level of attention to detail 
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, sound judgement, integrity, personal drive, and collaboration as part of a team. 

Assessment Process

The recruitment selection process for this round may include one or more of the following:

• Applicant response
• Interview
• Work sample assessment
• Psychometric testing
• Reference checks.

Applicant response

As part of your application, you will be required to prepare a one-page response document (minimum 11pt font in Microsoft Word or PDF format), which you will upload in the next section.

Please ensure you read the instructions carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

Please prepare a one-page Applicant Response in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• How your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role
• Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

How to apply

Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level Standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership System information relevant to the classification. You are required to submit your application in the online recruitment system (ourPeople).

As part of your application, you will need to provide:

• Your CV
• Your Applicant Response document
• Details of two referees
• Include your full name and the Requisition Number – NEMA - 141743 in the footer of any documents being uploaded.

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Eligibility

To be eligible to work with the NEMA you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Fulfil the Agency's minimum requirements by satisfactorily answering all screening questions during the application process and successfully undergo a National Police Check
• Obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance
• Satisfy a probation period (if applicable)
• Undergo a health assessment (if applicable).

Technical assistance

If you are experiencing problems submitting your application online, please email the nature of the issues you are experiencing to recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au including screen captures if necessary. A response will be sent during business hours.

Notes

The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

If you have identified as having a disability, please indicate whether you require any support throughout the selection process. For further information please contact recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au.