The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. In a complex, challenging and changing security environment, our success is built on the imagination and intelligence of our team. ASIO’s people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful in our mission, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.

We seek to reflect the diversity of the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value. Find out more information about diversity and inclusion at ASIO.

The opportunity

The newly established TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) Vetting Authority will centralise Australia’s highest-level security clearance functions within ASIO over the coming years. Successful applicants will play an instrumental role in building this new capability, established to help protect Australia from the threat of espionage and foreign interference.

Assistant Directors for Contract Management and Cost Recovery and Financial Management will be part of the new Business Administration Directorate, and will contribute to the long-term success of this important function. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to influence the process design and the team’s ways of working.

Applicants seeking a career move within the next 12 months are encouraged to apply now.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies. The merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

Role responsibilities

Assistant Director – Contracts Management will:

• Lead a small team responsible for critical supplier and contract management functions.
• Manage approvals for spending proposals ensuring compliance with organisational policies and regulatory requirements when approving expenditure proposals involving external vendors or suppliers.
• Coordinate contract negotiation and execution by liaising with internal stakeholders and external vendors to negotiate favourable terms and conditions for contracts, ensuring correct documentation and execution.
• Collaborate with procurement teams to ensure timely and accurate processing of contracts, including amendments, extensions, and terminations.
• Monitor and manage timekeeping records for contractors and vendors, as well as processing invoices and ensuring prompt payment according to agreed-upon terms.
• Oversee end-to-end contract management; from initiation through execution, performance, and closeout, ensuring all stages of the contract lifecycle are effectively managed and monitored.
• Establish and update a comprehensive register of approved suppliers, including contact information, service offerings, and performance history.
• Work with in-house counsel or external legal experts to address any legal concerns or disputes arising from contractual agreements.
• Continuously assess vendor performance against established KPIs, providing regular reports to management, and identifying areas for improvement or optimisation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of organisational policies and procedures related to supplier and contract administration functions.

Assistant Director – Cost Recovery and Financial Management will:

• Lead a team, managing allocated resources, set work area priorities and manage workflows.
• Be accountable for the accurate completion of work within timeframes and quality requirements, sharing your own expertise with others to guide and mentor less experienced employees.
• Plan and manage financial management and cost recovery activities, including financial statements analysis, reporting, budget development for the division and timely invoicing to government agencies for vetting services.
• Apply knowledge and experience in accounting to undertake objective, systematic financial analysis, drawing accurate conclusions based on evidence.
• Work closely with teams within the Vetting Authority and ASIO Finance to generate timely invoices.
• Supervise, mentor, and actively assist junior staff to build their skills and technical knowledge.
• Contribute to the development of relevant operating and accounting policies and procedures.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive culture of teamwork within the branch and division.

What you will bring

For Assistant Director – Contracts Management, we invite applications from people with the following experience and attributes:

• Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, regulatory requirements (e.g., Section 23), and contract law.
• Exceptional negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external venders.
• Experience using contract management software or other relevant tools.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex contracts and improving vendor performance, including the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and business needs.
• Stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Interpersonal skills, such as active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution, to facilitate smooth collaboration and communication among team members and stakeholders.
• Tertiary degree in business, finance, or a related field is desired though not essential.

For Assistant Directors – Cost Recovery and Financial Management, we invite applications from people with the following experience and attributes:

• Experience in cost recovery and management accounting.
• High-level strategic thinking, with a successful record of delivering finance activities.
• Strong communication, networking, representational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise and remain flexible and adaptive in a high-volume and fast paced environment.
• High level of experience in Microsoft Office programs especially Excel spreadsheet manipulation for budget management, costing, data analysis and reporting.
• Accounting (or equivalent) tertiary qualification, and progress to Certified Practicing (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA) is desirable but not essential.

What we offer you

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

• A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance.
• Flexible working arrangements to assist you to maintain your work-life balance (please note: due to our unique working environment, work from home options are generally not available).
• Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
• Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
• Mentoring opportunities.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Eligibility

To be eligible for the role, you must be:

• An Australian citizen.
• Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome and value applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable adjustments

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for candidates to participate within all stages of the selection process. These opportunities may include reasonable adjustment to assessment methodologies to enable full participation. Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace.

Location

These positions are located in Canberra. Relocation assistance is provided to successful candidates where ASIO requires you to relocate.

We advertise positions nationally to reach the broadest audience. Please refer to the above before applying.

How to apply

Click on ‘Apply online’ to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:

• A written pitch of up to 500 words using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position.
• A current CV, no more than 2 pages in length, outlining your employment history, the dates and a brief description of your role, as well as any academic qualifications or relevant training you may have undertaken.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager – ideally within the last two years.

Before applying you should familiarise yourself with the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, both available on the ASIO website. To increase your chances of success, tailor your application responses to align with the AEE1 level capabilities and levels outlined in these frameworks. Please note, it is not necessary to address each of the capability criteria individually in your application.

You will need to demonstrate what you bring to the position in relation to the criteria below:

• Strategic Thinking
• Achieves Results
• Productive Working Relationships
• Personal Drive & Integrity
• Demonstrated Skills & Experience.

Consider ASIO’s People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, and the position description and classification level you are applying.

Closing date and time

Monday 28 April 2025, 5:00pm AEST.

No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted.

The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect

We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for a position with the Vetting Authority. Please be advised that our selection process is rigorous and extensive.

All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages themselves may include; application submission, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and panel discussion.

ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process. Once complete, we will notify unsuccessful candidates but will not provide feedback on any aspect of the selection process.

Employment conditions

Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.

Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI)

In 2024, ASIO achieved the AWEI Gold Standard, recognising ASIO’s inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was one of only 7 public sector employers, and the first Australian intelligence agency, to achieve this status.

The ASIO Diversity and Inclusion Strategy reflects ASIO’s commitment and recognises the benefits of being a diverse and inclusive organisation. For further information about ASIO’s Diversity and Inclusion networks, please visit: www.asio.gov.au/about/diversity-and-inclusion.

Enquiries

If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at [email protected] or phone 02 6263 7888.

More information

For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.