The key duties of the position include:
The Role
The Directorate of Navy Strategic Plans and Preparedness is seeking an APS 6 Staff Officer Navy Strategy and Futures to support the development, integration and communication of Navy’s strategic direction. The role focuses on shaping Navy’s contribution to enterprise level strategy, strategic policy and force design initiatives, including the development of military concepts and major strategic documentation.
Working closely with senior Navy leaders and stakeholders across Defence, you will contribute to complex, high priority strategic work programs. Over 2026–27 this will include Navy’s contribution to the 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS), potential updates to Concept Mercator (the maritime domain concept), and the development of strategic documentation in support of a potential senior leadership transition.
The role requires strong analytical capability, excellent written communication skills and the ability to consult widely across the enterprise to ensure alignment between Navy’s strategic objectives and broader Defence direction.
About our Team
The role sits within the Directorate of Navy Strategic Plans and Preparedness, within the Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) Division and Navy Headquarters, supporting senior Navy leadership in shaping Navy’s long term strategic direction. The team is responsible for developing and integrating Navy’s strategic policy, concepts and futures work, and for ensuring Navy’s strategic objectives are aligned with broader Defence guidance.
This includes contributing to enterprise level strategy, force design initiatives, military concepts and strategic planning activities. The team works closely with stakeholders across Navy, the Australian Defence Organisation and other Services, operating in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly in response to strategic direction and external developments.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is motivated by strategic work and thrives in an environment that requires independent thinking, collaboration and high quality written outputs and is agile to respond to short notice, emerging tasks.
They will demonstrate:
* A strong interest in military strategy, strategic policy and futures thinking.
* Well-developed analytical skills and the ability to synthesise complex information into clear and concise written advice.
* Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting strategic briefs or complex documents.
* The ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and build productive working relationships.
* Initiative and sound judgement, including the ability to identify issues, propose options and work with minimal supervision.
* An understanding of, or the ability to rapidly learn, Defence and Navy governance, decision making and strategic processes.
* The ability to work independently while contributing positively as part of a small, high performing team.
* The ability to handle sensitive information in accordance with government security requirements.
Eligibility
Security Clearance:
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1.
Getting to know the Department of Defence
The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers