Budget Policy Officers and Defence Capability Officers (Affirmative Measure - Indigenous)

ABOUT BUDGET GROUP

Budget Group provides policy and financial advice on government expenditure and non-taxation revenue matters to the Minister for Finance, other senior ministers, and Cabinet committees, including the Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) of Cabinet. We also support the Government to prepare, deliver, and manage the Federal Budget and Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. 

Budget Policy Officers are at the forefront of the Budget process, working in teams known as Agency Advice Units (AAUs) to support consideration of policy and funding proposals for agencies and entities across the Government. Each AAU provides policy advice and financial analysis on specific Government portfolios, and this exciting and high-profile work contributes directly to Government decision making.

Government and Defence Division within Budget Group is expanding its Defence functions to strengthen investment discipline, cost assurance and independent contestability across the Defence capability lifecycle as part of the Government’s Defence Reforms. Our Defence Capability Officer roles in the Defence Integrated Investment Program (IIP) Branch present an opportunity to join an expanding team, design and shape new functions and business processes, and to deliver on Government priorities. This includes providing policy and financial advice on Defence’s IIP – the $425 billion the Government is investing across the decade to deliver Defence capability in support of the National Defence Strategy.

THE OPPORTUNITY 

We have a range of current and anticipated APS 5 and APS 6 level vacancies across our AAUs and Defence Integrated Investment Program (IIP) Branch. We will align successful candidates with the vacancy that best suits their experience, skills, and policy area interest. We actively seek to develop the professional and technical capabilities of our people and expand their career pathways and networks.

AAU responsibilities include: 

• Working closely with relevant portfolio stakeholders to support the development and Government consideration of portfolio proposals including analysing, costing and reviewing new policy proposals;  
• Providing budget, financial management and policy advice in support of Government decision making processes and the delivery of the Budget and Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook; 
• Supporting Cabinet committees, including the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet, and our senior executive, on policy and financial issues relating to relevant portfolios; 
• Drafting briefing and other correspondence for the Minister for Finance’s consideration on portfolio matters. 

In addition to the above, Defence Capability team responsibilities include supporting the Minister for Finance’s and executive’s participation in national security and defence committees. 

All positions are based in Canberra and candidates must be located in or willing to relocate to Canberra.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATES

We are seeking motivated and high performing people at the APS 5 and APS 6 levels who are eager to strengthen their professional skills and influence the Australian Government’s decision-making through the provision of high-quality policy analysis and advice. 

To deliver the Federal Budget for the Australian Government and support long-term investments in defence capabilities, Finance relies on professionals with diverse experience and skills in disciplines including political science, social science, economics, accounting, commerce, law, science, and many more. You should be interested in public policy, value quality in your work, be looking to expand your skill-set and experience and enjoy working in a fast-paced, high-profile environment. 

Prior knowledge of budget processes is not essential, however you should have a keen interest in public policy development, attention to detail, concise communication and comfort working with numbers. 

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate: 

• The ability to proactively gather and analyse information to produce high-quality advice; 
• Problem-solving abilities based on a questioning mind and an ability to think laterally; 
• Flexibility and willingness to apply themselves to tasks and successfully manage competing deadlines; 
• An ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment to achieve high-quality shared outcomes; 
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills;
• Resilience and the ability to work within and consult across team; and
• Drive and initiative to apply themselves to a variety of tasks and manage competing deadlines.

We are looking for people who will champion our inclusive, curious and empowered culture, are able to align to our Departmental priorities, who seize opportunities presented by change and are able to identify and lead innovation and continuous improvement in the workplace. 

We work in a unique environment, with periods of high demand and pressure. In the lead-up to delivery of the Federal Budget and Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, there is likely to be a requirement for staff to perform additional hours, including evening and weekend work. While we have amazing opportunities to contribute to government decision making, we actively work to safeguard the wellbeing of our staff to thrive and perform at their best. Finance prioritises a healthy and safe work environment, supports flexible working arrangements to perform additional hours to the extent possible and offers generous overtime arrangements for APS level staff, and on call allowances in certain circumstances.

Candidates found suitable, but who do not secure an immediate vacancy, will be placed into a merit pool that will be valid for 18 months from the date of advertising and drawn upon to fill future vacancies as they arise. 

We work in a unique environment, with periods of high demand and pressure. In the lead-up to delivery of the Federal Budget and Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, there is likely to be a requirement for staff to perform additional hours, including evening and weekend work. While we have amazing opportunities to contribute to government decision making, we actively work to safeguard the wellbeing of our staff to thrive and perform at their best. Finance prioritises a healthy and safe work environment, supports flexible working arrangements to perform additional hours to the extent possible and offers generous overtime arrangements for APS level staff, and on call allowances in certain circumstances.

Candidates found suitable, but who do not secure an immediate vacancy, will be placed into a merit pool that will be valid for 18 months from the date of advertising and drawn upon to fill future vacancies as they arise.

FINANCE PEOPLE CAPABILITY FRAMEWORK AND JOB SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES 

In addition to the broader capabilities outlined in the Finance People Capability Framework, Finance is seeking candidates who possess the following job specific skills and attributes aligned to our core capabilities and professional/technical capabilities: 

APS 5

Lead

• Manage moderately complex work effectively under broad supervision. 
• Raise critical issues and give considered advice.

Collaborate

• Liaise with stakeholders on moderately complex issues and actively develop working relationships.
• Communicate well. Show well developed use of structure, logic and plain English.

Achieve

• Influence outcomes in moderately complex situations with strong arguments, sound evidence and fit-for-purpose communication.
• Ensure work is delivered on time and to a high standard. 
• Show initiative and take personal responsibility for progressing work.

Think

• Monitor priorities and context, think ahead to identify, communicate, and manage risks and opportunities. 
• Think critically and interpret moderately complex data and financial information accurately.

Learn

• Respond flexibly and constructively to changing organisational needs. 
• Maintain composure and stay positive, engaged and productive under pressure or after a setback.
• Take responsibility for improving your skills.

Know

• Demonstrated experience in, or capacity to quickly learn, some or all of the following: 
  • Policy development and advice.
  • Stakeholder engagement.
  • Working with numbers and data. 
  • Budget and government decision making processes.

APS 6

Lead

• Manage complex work effectively under limited supervision. 
• Raise critical issues and give well-argued advice.

Collaborate

• Liaise with stakeholders on complex issues and actively develop working relationships. 
• Communicate clearly and show highly developed use of structure, logic and plain English.

Achieve

• Influence outcomes in complex situations with political awareness, strong arguments, sound evidence and fit-for-purpose communication.
• Ensure work is delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Show initiative, take personal responsibility for progressing work, and helping others to do the same.

Think

• Monitor priorities and context, work flexibly, and communicate effectively to support the work of the team. 
• Research, analyse and think critically. Interpret complex data and financial information accurately.

Learn

• Respond flexibly and constructively to changing organisational needs and support others to do the same.
• Maintain composure. Stay positive, engaged and productive under pressure or after a setback, and support others to do this too. 
• Take responsibility for improving your skills.

Know

• Demonstrated experience in, or capacity to quickly learn, some or all of the following: 
  • Policy development and advice.
  • Stakeholder engagement.
  • Working with numbers and data, economics, accounting or financial concepts.
  • Budget and government decision making processes. 

Mandatory/Desirable Qualifications 

Candidates with qualifications in economics, finance, public policy, accounting, commerce, law, political science or international relations or similar work experience that demonstrated expertise in these areas are highly desirable. 

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
• The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. This vacancy is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement. 
• RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activities for the vacancy if you choose to opt-in to the scheme, declare you have disability and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Further information can be found at https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
• These roles are being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing. A position may be offered as ongoing or non-ongoing subject to operational requirements. Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for a specified term of up to 12 months. A specified term may be extended up to a maximum period of 18 months.