Senior Project Officer and Project Officers, Event Readiness and Capability

The Event Readiness and Capability Section is responsible for ensuring organisational preparedness for the delivery of electoral events through strategic planning, capability development and continuous improvement. 

The section leads election readiness activities and governance arrangements, manages candidate nomination processes, and designs and delivers operational training programs for both APS employees and the temporary election workforce, including the coordination of national rehearsals and the administration of the AEC’s Learning Management System. 

The team also oversees the observation register, lessons learned processes and associated reporting to support a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Operating in a dynamic and agile environment, the section works collaboratively across the AEC to respond to evolving priorities, strengthen workforce capability and support the successful delivery of electoral operations.

The Event Readiness and Capability Section is seeking to recruit multiple Project Officers and a Senior Project Officer.

These roles contribute to the delivery of projects, programs and business initiatives that support organisational priorities through project management, governance, reporting, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement activities. 

Successful candidates will provide project coordination, research, analysis and advice, contribute to the development of policies, frameworks and processes, and build strong collaborative relationships with stakeholders. 

The Senior Project Officer will also lead complex projects and initiatives, provide strategic advice and contribute to the achievement of organisational outcomes. 

Across both roles, candidates will contribute to a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture while delivering quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.

To excel you’ll have:

We are seeking motivated and capable professionals who can demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required to perform successfully in these roles.

APS Level 5 - Project Officer (Multiple positions)

• Demonstrated experience supporting or coordinating projects, programs, business initiatives or operational activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, briefs and other business documentation.
• Ability to undertake research and analysis, interpret information and provide practical advice, recommendations and solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.

Desirable

• Experience working in project support, governance, policy, program delivery or business operations.
• Experience preparing reports, governance papers, briefing materials or committee documentation.
• Experience supporting procurement, contract management, compliance or risk management activities.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies, frameworks or tools.
• Experience contributing to business improvement, change management or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within the Australian Public Service or a comparable government environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and collaboration tools such as SharePoint, Teams or Planner.
• Relevant qualifications or study in project management, business, public administration or a related discipline.

APS Level 6 – Senior Project Officer

• Demonstrated experience leading or delivering projects, programs or business initiatives in a complex environment, including responsibility for planning, coordination and achieving outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality briefs, reports and other documentation, and tailor messaging for a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess issues, identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• Proven ability to build, influence and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including managing competing interests and achieving shared outcomes.
• Experience applying governance, reporting, compliance or risk management processes to support organisational outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities, work autonomously and deliver high-quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.

Desirable

• Qualifications or certification in project management (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile, MSP, PMBOK, Diploma/Certificate IV in Project Management Practice).
• Experience working within the Australian Public Service or a comparable government environment.
• Experience developing or reviewing policies, procedures, frameworks or guidance materials.
• Experience supporting governance committees, executive forums or decision-making processes.
• Experience leading or coordinating business improvement, organisational change or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of procurement, contract management and financial management processes.
• Experience using project management, reporting or collaboration tools such as Microsoft Project, DevOps, Planner, SharePoint, Power BI or similar platforms.
• Understanding of risk management, assurance and business continuity principles.

• AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
• Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
• Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
• Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is at the heart of Australian democracy. The AEC is responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums, maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll and making sure the Australian public is informed about all electoral matters. Our goal is to see that all eligible Australians actively participate in our democracy. The AEC values of electoral integrity through quality, agility and professionalism drive strategic and corporate planning and assist in organising the agency in a way that will effectively deliver the business into the future. The AEC is an equal opportunity employer which upholds the APS employment principles and actively encourages a diverse and inclusive workplace. The AEC’s statutory functions in relation to the conduct of elections and referendums require that the AEC and its employees must be, and must be seen to be, impartial and politically neutral. As a result, the AEC Enterprise Agreement and Political Neutrality Policy state that it is an inherent requirement of AEC employment that employees, and prospective employees, are not publicly active in any political affairs and do not publicly engage in such activities. This includes advocating any issues associated with a referendum. Should a prospective employee fail to meet this inherent requirement, they will be ineligible for employment with the AEC.