The opportunity

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Contracts and Compliance Officer to support the organisation’s contract lifecycle and legal compliance. This standalone role is ideal for a legal professional with strong contract administration experience and a background in the not-for-profit sector.

Reporting to and working closely with the CFO, this position is responsible for the end-to-end management of contracts, including administration, compliance, negotiation and risk mitigation. This role ensures that that all contractual obligations are met and that the organisation operates within legal and regulatory boundaries, particularly in relation to funders.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to support risk management and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration

Drafting and reviewing contract terms, and manage contracts including service agreements, funding agreements, supplier contracts, consortium agreements and MOUs

Negotiating and finalising contract clauses

Ensure contracts adhere to legal and regulatory standards, and compliance with funding terms, reporting obligations, and milestone tracking

Obtaining necessary approvals and managing administrative workflow

Maintain the centralised contract repository and ensure timely renewals, compliance, and performance tracking.

Provide advice on contractual obligations, risks, and mitigation strategies

Monitoring and tracking contract performance after signing

Compliance

Monitor legislative changes relevant to the organisation and advise on implications

Liaise with external legal advisors as required for specialist advice or dispute resolution

Frameworks & Procedures

Develop, implement and maintain robust frameworks and procedures for contract management, tender processes and subcontracting

Oversee the Request for Tender (RFT) process, including documentation, evaluation and award

Support the development and review of internal policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance

Manage subcontractor agreements and ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with finance, operations and project teams to ensure contract alignment with strategic goals

Build and maintain relationships with external partners, funders, and legal service providers

Selection Criteria

Essential

Tertiary qualifications in Law or a related field

Minimum 4 years’ experience in a contract management or legal role

Proven experience in developing and managing contract frameworks and procedures

Demonstrated experience in managing contracts and funding agreements and ability to review and negotiate complex contract clauses

Strong understanding of request for tender and subcontracting processes and legal frameworks relevant to the not-for-profit sector

Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking and communication skills

Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities

Desirable

Experience working with or a good understanding of trauma-affected populations such as first responders, military/veteran, disaster impacted communities

Job Complexity, Skills, Knowledge

Level of Supervision / Independence

The incumbent will work under routine supervision to general direction depending upon experience and the complexity of the tasks.

Professional and Organisational Knowledge

The incumbent is expected to have the relevant professional knowledge of contract law and commercial agreements, procurement and tendering processes, risk and compliance management, contract lifecycle management and negotiation and stakeholder engagement.

The incumbent is expected to understand the legislative and regulatory environment relevant to the not-for-profit sector, and have an awareness of internal governance structures, delegations of authority and reporting obligations.

Resource Management

The position will manage their own time and resources under the broad direction of the Chief Financial Officer. The incumbent will raise the requirement for additional resources and/or tools as required.

The incumbent is not required to manage other staff members; however, they may be called upon to lead small working groups or facilitate broader teamwork for a specific project and task.

This position will not exercise financial delegation.

Breadth of the position

The position will interact with a broad range of staff internal and external to Phoenix Australia, including managers and senior academics. The incumbent is expected to identify areas of improvement in processes, make suggestions for change and assist with the implementation of policies and procedures that may cross team boundaries.

Work Type: Part-Time (0.6 FTE) Fixed term, one-year contract (renewable)

Superannuation rate: Employer contribution of 12%

Salary Sacrifice: As a health promotion charity up to $15,900 per FBT year

About Phoenix Australia

Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health. For 30 years we have been a national and international leader in our field and are at the forefront of the understanding, prevention and recovery from trauma. We have researchers, clinicians and specialists in psychology, psychiatry and social work.

We are a unique organisation, bridging the gap between research and research translation, and integrating our knowledge and skills into an end- to-end service for our clients. Our work encompasses four main Portfolios: Research, Policy and Practice, Education and Workforce Development, and Clinical Services, with enabling services provided by Corporate Services.

Our program of internationally acclaimed research aims to advance the knowledge of posttraumatic mental health. Through the application of diverse research methodologies, we aim to create real-world solutions and translate research findings into practical implications for governments, organisations, and communities.

Our Policy and Practice portfolio encompasses policy and service development to establish the standards of best practice for the management of trauma. We translate research into best practice policies and procedures for organisations, and work with organisations to build their capacity to minimise the impact of workplace trauma.

Our evidence-based workforce education and training programs improve the practice of those working with people, organisations, and communities affected by trauma. We provide tailored and integrated training, supervision, and consultation services that meet the specific needs of a diverse range of clients, large or small.

Our Clinical Services portfolio oversees the delivery of clinical activities across Phoenix. It offers specialist psychological and psychiatric trauma assessment and treatment services to a range of high-risk populations, as well as community members suffering from trauma related mental health disorders and provides expert advice and support to mental health practitioners working with high- risk clients.

Phoenix Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. With an affiliation with the University of Melbourne, we have a close working relationship with the Department of Psychiatry within the Melbourne Medical School. Our Board of Directors includes independent members as well as senior representatives from the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence.

For further information, please visit Phoenix Australia’s website at www.phoenixaustralia.org

Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion

Phoenix Australia is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation. We value diversity because we recognise that the differences in our people’s age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability and background bring richness to our work environment.

Occupational Health and Safety

All staff are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other personnel who may be affected by their conduct, and to promptly report all incidents and injuries and cooperate with measures to improve workplace safety.

Other information

The following checks may be required: educational qualifications; national police record; working with children; proof of the right to work in Australia.

During employment, further project-specific security clearance may be required to allow staff to access sensitive information.

The Fair Work Information Statement (fairwork.gov.au) provides further important information about your pay and conditions.

How to apply

Please submit a concise response (up to 500 words) addressing the qualifications, experience and requirements together with your CV

Applications close: 24 October 2025

We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.