ABOUT THE BRANCH

Defence Branch supports the operational delivery of the Budget. We are at the forefront of the Budget process and offer exciting high profile-work that makes a difference across Government.

We develop and cost New Policy Proposals (NPPs) and provide financial and policy advice to the Australian Government on Defence proposals, capabilities, operations, and investments.

There are five teams in Defence Branch: 

• Defence Agency Advice Unit and Integrated Investment Program: analyses and provides policy advice to Government on Defence portfolio expenditure and policy issues (including the Department of Defence, the Australian Signals Directorate, and other Defence entities), the Defence Integrated Investment Program, and Defence support and operations and other Defence initiatives and programs.
• Land and Estate: provides policy advice to Government on Army capabilities, including land combat vehicles, long range fires and littoral manoeuvre vessels, Defence estate, and the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.
• Maritime and Shipbuilding: provides policy advice to Government on maritime and shipbuilding capabilities and proposals, including nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants and naval-related infrastructure.
• C5i and ICT: provides policy advice to Government on Defence and Australian Signals Directorate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, ICT and cyber capabilities.
• Space and Air: provides policy advice to Government on Air Force and Defence Space Command capabilities, including the Joint Strike Fighter and space-based communications, intelligence and navigation. 

A key priority for the Australian Government over the next 12 months is the implementation of the inaugural 2024 National Defence Strategy. This presents an agenda for ambitious, but necessary, reform to Defence's posture and structure. Successful candidates will play a critical role in implementing these reforms and supporting Government consideration of key Defence capabilities, including nuclear-powered submarines, long range strike capabilities, and enhancing Australia’s northern military bases. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We have a range of EL1 opportunities available across the Branch and are happy to work with successful candidates to find a role that best suits their interests, skills and capabilities. We actively seek to develop the professional and technical capabilities of our people and expand their career pathways and networks.

Key responsibilities include:

• working closely with the Department of Defence, Australian Signals Directorate, Australian Submarine Agency, other Defence entities and central agencies to support the development and Government consideration of Defence proposals including analysing, costing and reviewing new policy proposals and Defence capability investment proposals;
• providing budget, financial management and investment advice in support of the Government decision making processes and the delivery of the Budget and Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook;
• supporting the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet, National Security Committee of Cabinet, and National Security Investment Sub-committee of Cabinet, and our Senior Executive on policy and financial issues relating to the Defence portfolio including reviewing updates to specific spending estimates and the Defence Integrated Investment Program.
• drafting briefing and other correspondence for the Minister for Finance’s consideration on Defence proposals. 

Please see the vacancy pack below for more information on this opportunity.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATES

We are seeking motivated and high performing people at the EL 1 level with an interest or experience in analysing national security policy and Defence investment proposals and a mix of public policy, government, financial skills and expertise. We welcome people from a range of backgrounds including political science, economics, accounting, commerce, law, and international relations. 

Candidates will need to hold, or be willing to obtain, a current NV1 clearance at minimum. Some roles require NV2 and PV clearances.

Successful candidates will demonstrate: 

• excellent written and communication skills, such as drafting high quality and timely briefings, with a capacity to test and refine policy implications with stakeholders and influence outcomes; 
• strong critical thinking and analytical skills to develop sound advice based on the comparative analysis and interpretation of information and data; 
• an ability to work effectively and collaborate in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to achieve high-quality shared outcomes and lead the development of influential strategic policy and financial advice to the Government; 
• ability to assess expenditure and investment proposals; 
• capability to gather and analyse information, solve problems and present solutions; 
• initiative and flexibility to respond to changing organisational needs and priorities; 
• a curious mindset, willingness to question and ability to negotiate practical solutions to challenges; and
• drive and initiative to apply yourself to complex tasks and successfully manage competing deadlines, including when providing supervisory support to junior staff. 

Prior knowledge of Government Budget processes is not required, however, you should have a keen interest in public policy development, particularly defence and national security policy. 

Candidates found suitable, but not immediately offered a position, will be placed into a merit pool that will be valid for 18 months from the date of advertising and drawn upon to fill future vacancies as they arise.

DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION

For detailed information about these roles, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack, which can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.

ELIGIBILITY ADVICE & CANDIDATE NOTES

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated in the downloadable job pack. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
• This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing. Roles may be offered as either ongoing or non-ongoing subject to operational requirements. Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for a specified term of up to 12 months. Specified term vacancies may be extended up to a maximum period of 18 months. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

• For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via recruitment@finance.gov.au or call (02) 6215 1717 between 8:30am - 5:00pm AEST Monday to Friday.
• For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please refer to the details on the contact officer located in the downloadable job pack.