Application closing date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
• 11:59pm, Canberra time
Estimated start date: Monday, 30 March 2026
Location of work: ACT
Working arrangements: Candidates must work on-site at the Departments Canberra office, 40 hours per week
Length of contract: 12 months
Contract extensions: 2x 12 months
Security clearance: Must have a current and active Positive Vetting clearance
Rates: $120 - $150 per hour (inc. super)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) promotes and protects Australia's international interests to support our security and prosperity. DFAT collaborates with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas. DFAT manages Australia's international presence – a network of over 120 embassies, high commissions, consulates-general and representative offices across five continents – and we have over 6,000 staff across Australia and overseas.
The Information Management and Technology Division (IMD) within DFAT is a client service driven division, dedicated to delivering high quality, fit-for-purpose ICT solutions to DFAT's global workforce. The division includes six branches: Business Solutions Branch (BSB), Infrastructure & Operational Support Branch (ISB), Cyber Security, Cloud and Networks Branch (CRB), Data and Service Delivery Governance (DAB), Global Modernisation Branch (IGB) and ICT Strategy and Investment Management Branch (IPB). The division delivers complex, high value and high-risk ICT programs and multi-year digital transformation initiatives.
The Department of the Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking experienced Organisational Change Managers to drive change management activities on a large transformational program of work.
Change Managers will be responsible for identifying, developing, coordinating and delivering end to end change strategies that support the successful delivery of one or more technology initiatives across the Department. Successful candidates will play a key role in building alignment, managing expectations, and ensuring effective communication through the project lifecycle. The ideal candidates will possess a deep understanding of change management principles and bring proven experience in supporting change in technology-driven environments.
The key positions responsibilities are:
* Design and undertake stakeholder analysis, impact assessments and business readiness assessments.
* Conduct detailed change impact assessments to identify potential impacts of technology projects on business areas, processes and existing systems.
* Develop and implement change and communications programs for major projects, programs and other initiatives.
* Monitor, assess and assure change readiness, undertake research and the analysis to identify emerging stakeholder issues and recommend options, solutions and advice to ensure success of the change management initiatives.
* Engage and coordinate with key stakeholders to drive awareness, gain buy-in and engage throughout the project lifecycle
* Work closely with training, learning and development teams to support learning and capability uplift.
* Support benefits realisation by fostering behavioural and process changes to achieve project outcomes and benefits
Essential criteria
* Change management experience and expertise
* Demonstrated 5+ years' experience in organisational change management
* Demonstrated experience in leading organisational change initiatives in complex technology based environments using structured methodologies (e.g. Prosci, ADKAR).
* Stakeholder Engagement
* Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels to achieve change outcomes.
* Communication Skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear change messaging
* Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to consult, negotiate, liaise with a variety of stakeholders to influence outcomes.
* Project delivery
* Experience in integrating change management activities into project plans and ensuring successful adoption of new processes or systems.
* Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
* Ability to assess organisational impacts, identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
* Leadership and Coaching
* Capability to coach leaders and teams through change and foster a positive change culture
HOW TO APPLY
Please provide an updated CV (a maximum of 3-5 pages) to reflect your suitability to the role based on the job description. You will also need to complete responses to the essential and desirable criteria which is no more than 3000 characters for each response. Your application will be reviewed based on ability to demonstrate, or potential to develop, the capabilities required.