Purpose of Position

Reporting to the Assistant Director Security Policy and Plans, the Contract and Procurement Manager Services, Equipment and Systems is responsible for the effective management of the Federal Court of Australia’s contractual arrangements for services and for maintenance to systems and equipment engaged by the Marshal. The role ensures that all contracts deliver value for money, comply with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), and other relevant legislation including the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).

This position plays a critical role in ensuring the Federal Court’s procurement and contract management framework supports efficient, transparent, and accountable use of public resources while enabling service delivery outcomes for the Court, the National Native Title Tribunal, and other supported jurisdictions.

The role is responsible for preparing and managing contract management plans, covering contracts delivering security guarding and alarm monitoring services and the maintenance of security systems and equipment along with developing request for quote templates and request for tender documentation. The position ensures contracts and agreements provide value for money for the Court throughout the procurement cycle will be required to engage and negotiate with contractors and stakeholders, respond to contract management issues, and sustain productive relationships with the Court, supervisors, team members and service providers.

The successful candidate will also be required to use their skills, knowledge and experience to deliver procurement outcomes and will be accountable for procurement planning, tendering and contract formation and contract management activities, ensuring compliance with legislation and procurement policies and procedures.

Work will involve the setting of priorities and managing workflows.

As a national role, some interstate travel is required

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The occupant of this position will:

• prepare correspondence of a complex nature
• contribute to the development, management and adherence to security policies and procedures
• develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders including the judiciary and staff, the legal profession, court users and partner law enforcement and security agencies
• provide specialist assistance to key stakeholders, including judges, staff, litigants and their legal representatives to achieve court ordered outcomes
• appear for routine matters in external jurisdictions on behalf of the agency
• Apply the best practice commercial approach to the Court’s security service contracting s, seeking efficiencies in service and economies in costs while ensuring good governance over processes and systems, consistent with Commonwealth procurement rules.
• prepare tender documentation and obtain approvals for project work related to security services compliant with Commonwealth Procurement rules and FCA Entity procurement procedures.
• manage the tendering process of security projects including documentation, evaluation and recommendation for preferred vendors and required services consistent with financial and other delegations.
• Manage the security services contract management and abatement regime when applicable.
• Coordinating contractual correspondence, notices, claims etc. for major contracts.
• Assess commercial and contractual risks, identify and implement appropriate controls and escalate actual or potential issues to the Assistant Director.
• Preparation and coordination of Property Procurement related documentation including templates, schedule, correspondence, reports, submissions, plans and strategies, risk and performance reviews, contract change proposals and other contract management documentation.
• Applying legal principles, legislative and policy compliance obligations and critical commercial risk and performance requirements related to procurement and contract management.
• Monitor and forecast expenditure on the works, including contract payments, administration costs, and materials/services against the project budget

Competencies & Attributes

Our ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and team building skills with a strong understanding of contract management and procurement, highly developed communication and stakeholder management skills, excellent attention to detail and someone with the ability to collaborate across Government and industry to achieve outcomes.

The successful candidate will be confident in providing innovative and alternative solutions, thinking laterally and communicating ideas. The successful candidate will work independently and/or collaboratively to achieve shared objectives and be confident and professional when engaging with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and levels of seniority.

The person for this role will have demonstrated experience in contract management within the Commonwealth arena including procurement.

They will have a sound appreciation of Commonwealth legislation and policy and industry standards relating to property matters security, together with a knowledge of Commonwealth procurement policies and contact management framework.

Personally, they will be an effective communicator and negotiator with the proven ability to support other members of the Property team and educate others within the organisation. They will be achievement oriented, well-disciplined and task focussed, with an ability to manage competing priorities whilst maintaining high work standards, documentation and meeting deadlines.

Special Requirements

The position is a Designated Security Access position and requires NV2 clearance to be achieved within the probationary period, or a period determined by the delegate.

Desirable qualifications and experience

It is desirable that candidates have completed (or near completed) a qualification in contract management discipline.

Extensive relevant experience at management level in a relevant field e.g. services contract management or project management.

Selection Criteria

1. Strong background in contract management, preferably within the Australian Public Service or broader commonwealth agencies.
2. Ability to undertake research (including on-line research) and demonstrable strong written communication skills.
3. Sound organisational skills including the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a team environment.
4. Strong stakeholder management skills including developing and maintaining effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, for example the judiciary, the legal profession, court users and partner law enforcement and security agencies, including State and Territory Police, Sheriffs and Bailiffs.
5. Well-developed interpersonal skills including tact, discretion, initiative and the ability to communicate effectively with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other court staff.
6. Knowledge, or ability to acquire knowledge, of the functions, the organisation, practices, procedures and terminology of relevant procurement Legislation, Policy and procedures.

Contact Officer

For more information, please contact Steve Ferguson, Project Manager, CS Security on 0400 828 424 or email [email protected]

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form on the Court’s careers portal.

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a two-page response outlining your suitability for this position having regards to the selection criteria and duties of the position which are described in the position description (maximum word limit 1000). Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application.

If you have any issues with applying, please email [email protected]

Eligibility

Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:

1. Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
2. Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
3. Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.

Diversity and Inclusion

Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability.

First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.

RecruitAbility

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability