The Role
The National Defence Strategy outlines the Government’s direction to shift the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to an integrated, focused force designed to address Australia’s most significant risks. It recognises that Australia must work even more closely with our international partners to ensure a favourable regional strategic balance. Our alliance with the United States is fundamental and there is a requirement to deepen relationships across the Indo-Pacific and to continue to work closely with like-minded partners outside the region.
The Alliance Sustainment Support Directorate in the Defence Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group (CASG) is responsible for establishing and implementing a strategy for facilitating maintenance, overhaul, repair and upgrade of allied partner assets in the region to support preparedness and resiliency. Working with key Defence and external stakeholders, the Directorate will identify best-practice solutions for addressing partner requirements, leveraging extant and latent Australian proficiency and capacity whilst preserving sovereign support capability to deliver systemic, repeatable and sustainable sustainment support outcomes.
This is an exciting, fast paced and varied position that requires the successful applicant to exercise high-end project management and stakeholder engagement skills. Regular and sensitive engagement with senior managers and foreign Government officials will be undertaken, and the applicant will need to be comfortable and resourceful in this environment.
About our Team
The International Engagement and Foreign Military Sales Branch supports effective and efficient capability delivery in collaboration with Australia’s International acquisition and sustainment partners. The team consists of three Directorates – International Engagement, Foreign Sourcing and Alliance Sustainment Support. Our main responsibilities broadly include:
1. Building Australia's cooperation with international acquisition and sustainment partners.
2. Optimising the FMS process flow across the capability lifecycle.
3. Professionalising the foreign sourcing capability across all delivery groups and introducing mechanisms for process continuous improvement.
4. Establishing mechanisms for delivery of AUKUS Pillar 2 initiatives, and supporting the implementation of export-license-free arrangements.
5. Supporting Alliance Sustainment mechanisms, including by developing solutions for maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade of allied assets in Australia.
We are a diverse and high-achieving team that works across a varied and interesting range of tasks. We support the provision of advice to government, senior officers across delivery groups, and provide valued contributions for their decision making and engagement with our close allies and partners. Our area would suit leaders that are proactive and team-oriented, willing to apply a high level of customer focus with strong communications skills, and are interested in working with key stakeholders across Defence, Government and with our international partners.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in establishing and working effectively in teams. They will possess the strong leadership credentials required to support ongoing reforms. They will be qualified to lead the establishment of an Alliance Sustainment Strategy that supports enhanced maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade of military capability in Australia. Our ideal candidate will have a track record of achieving results and be a strategic thinker. They will exemplify the Defence Values and Behaviours and engender a culture of innovation, collaboration and agility.
Our ideal candidate will enjoy working in a dynamic team environment, be resilient and collaborative. They should be able to demonstrate:
6. Strong understanding of Defence capability delivery, in particular Defence asset management and the maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade of sensitive equipment.
7. Strong management skills, with the ability to advance multiple portfolios simultaneously.
8. Ability to undertake representational roles on behalf of CASG and Defence.
9. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
10. Demonstrated ability to read, write and interpret policy and applicable legislation.
11. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement workforce management and initiatives that drive business outcomes.
12. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
13. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills at the strategic level.