The key duties of the position include:
The Role
The Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships Branch is seeking a high performing and delivery focused APS6 Quality Management Services (QMS) and Risk Officer to strengthen branch-wide quality, risk and assurance capability.
This role will perform both Risk and (QMS) activities, playing a critical role in ensuring acquisition accountabilities are delivered in accordance with Defence governance, policy and assurance requirements. You will support the embedding of fit-for-purpose quality management systems, coordinated risk management practices, and practical assurance reporting across the Branch.
Working across multiple acquisition projects—including the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Young Endeavour Replacement, Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats, and other complex minor vessel procurements, you will provide hands on quality and risk support across the project lifecycle.
The role also contributes to branch level risk oversight across three acquisition projects, and may support export controls and ITAR compliance activities as required. You will work closely with project teams, Branch leadership and assurance stakeholders, while supervising and developing an APS5, helping uplift capability, consistency and maturity across the Branch.
This is an excellent opportunity for an individual looking to deepen their technical expertise, influence acquisition QMS and Risk activities, and contribute to continuous improvement in a dynamic maritime acquisition environment.
About our Team
The Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships Branch is responsible for the development, delivery and introduction into service of specialist and patrol vessels critical to Australia’s maritime capability, supporting the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan. Our teams manage a diverse and evolving portfolio of maritime acquisition projects, operating at the intersection of Navy capability requirements, industry delivery and Defence governance.
Quality, risk and assurance are central to how we deliver capability outcomes, and this role is a key enabler of disciplined, transparent and compliant project delivery. You will join a collaborative, professional Branch that values technical excellence, initiative and continuous improvement, with strong links to Navy stakeholders, industry partners and Defence assurance functions.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal APS 6 Quality Assurance & Risk Manager is an experienced and motivated individual who brings sound judgement, strong attention to detail and a practical approach to embedding quality and risk practices in complex project environments.
You will be comfortable operating with a degree of autonomy, managing competing priorities across multiple projects, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve compliant, value-adding outcomes.
To be successful in this role, you will be able to:
* Govern and administer the Branch QMS and Risk framework, ensuring alignment with Defence policy, ISO standards and enterprise assurance expectations, including endorsed processes, templates and instructions.
* Plan, coordinate and conduct internal QMS and Risk and assurance activities, including annual internal reviews for projects, tracking corrective actions, monitoring compliance and supporting QMS self-assessments.
* Provide branch-level risk management coordination, overseeing organisational and project risks, facilitating internal risk reviews, and supporting annual project risk reviews.
* Manage risk information and reporting, including maintaining risk registers in Predict, overseeing risk health and dashboard inputs, and providing consolidated reporting on high and emerging risks to Branch leadership.
* Support project and branch assurance processes, including secretariat support for QMS and risk reviews, contribution to Project MAAs, and data-driven assurance reporting.
* Administer and maintain branch assurance systems and repositories, including SharePoint, Holocentric and related tools, ensuring information integrity, accessibility and consistency.
* Contribute to export controls and ITAR management activities, supporting compliance awareness, coordination and assurance as required.
* Supervise and develop an APS 5 officer, providing clear direction, prioritisation, mentoring and feedback to deliver high quality and risk outcomes.
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