Export Controls Officer- Defence

Company Description

Shape Australia’s Future Through Purpose-Driven Commercial Advisory

At Scyne Advisory, we are public purpose sector specialists who support governments, not-for-profits, and for-purpose organisations to deliver services that build more resilient, equitable, secure, and prosperous communities. Guided by our values—Stronger Together, Amplify Impact, Build Trusted Relationships, Value Every Person, Think Beyond Limits, and Defined by Ethics—we bring deep expertise and a collaborative spirit to everything we do.

We’re excited to offer a new opportunity in our Defence team as part of our Transformation Practice in our Canberra office. This role is ideal for a strategic thinker with deep expertise in Defence Export Controls, ready to lead high-impact compliance outcomes across major acquisition and sustainment programmes.

Job Description

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly capable Export Controls Professional to join our Defence practice in Canberra. In this critical role, you will execute the Export Controls Coordinator function for critical Defence projects, overseeing complex compliance activities for major Defence platforms. You will partner with government stakeholders to navigate strict Australian and international legislative frameworks, ensuring that export strategies are implementable, secure, and strictly aligned with the national interest.

Key Responsibilities

• Export Control Leadership: Execute the Export Controls Coordinator role in Defence authorised processes, providing dedicated support to Defence platforms, products, programmes, and projects.
• Regulatory Compliance & Assurance: Plan and conduct internal assurance activities to identify and mitigate non-compliance risks. Maintain a watching brief on changes to Export Controls legislation for Australia (e.g., Defence Trade Controls Act) and the USA (ITAR and EAR), keeping stakeholders informed.
• Agreements & Registers Management: Maintain Export Controls registers, Technology Control Plan, and Non-Disclosure Deeds. Prepare, review, and manage amendments for Technical Assistance Agreements and Third-Party Retransfers in collaboration with Asset Managers and SMEs.
• Advisory & Applications: Review data sharing proposals for compliance. Prepare and administer Defence Export Controls (DEC) permit applications via the MADE portal. Provide advice on Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), and Cooperative Programmes (CPs).
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise effectively with International Export Controls (IEC), DEC, and relevant external stakeholders to secure outcomes that protect public sector value.
• Procurement & Commercial Support: Maintain a component of procurement and contract management duties to support broader commercial and sustainment objectives within the branch.
• Ethical Oversight: Ensure all export control and commercial activities strictly adhere to the APS Code of Conduct and overarching Australian regulatory frameworks.

Why Join Scyne Advisory?

• Work on high-impact Defence programs that shape Australia’s future.
• Be part of a collaborative, expert team that values every person.
• Access professional development, leadership opportunities, and mentoring from industry leaders.
• Help build stronger communities through smarter financial and commercial decisions.

Ready to turn your expertise into impact?

Apply now to join Scyne Advisory and help shape the future of Defence's export control capability. Ensure you detail your Defence export control experience (ITAR/EAR/DTCA) and confirmation of your current AGSVA clearance level.

Qualifications

About You

To be successful in this role, you are a dynamic, high-performing export controls professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is motivated to make a difference. Alongside:

• Security Clearance: A current and active AGSVA Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) clearance (this is a mandatory minimum requirement).
• Sector Experience: Extensive, proven experience in export controls within the Australian Defence industry, with a deep understanding of the Defence Trade Controls Act, ITAR, and EAR.
• Commercial Proficiency: Experience in procurement, commercial management, and contract administration within Commonwealth contracting frameworks is an advantage.
• Public Purpose Alignment: A strong, demonstrated commitment to public interest outcomes, with a focus on ethical, transparent, and accountability-driven advisory.
• Other Skills: Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, particularly in advising senior personnel and managing complex compliance requirements.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in Law, Commerce, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Defence or public sector experience is essential.
• Experience navigating the DEC MADE portal.

Additional Information

• Market leading Parental Leave: Allows either carer to take 26 weeks of leave, flexibly, until a child is two years of age. A six-month minimum service requirement for new starters applies. We also make full superannuation contributions for up to 12 months (including unpaid parental leave).
• Flex working: Our people have the autonomy to choose where and when they work so they can integrate their professional and personal lives, finding the right balance that fuels their growth, wellbeing, engagement and productivity. If it works for them, their teams, and their clients, it works for us.
• Additional leave: a 5th week of paid leave to support rest, wellbeing, and inclusion during our annual summer shutdown also Birthday leave, First Nations Cultural Leave, Floating Public Holidays, Leave+ (purchased leave up to 12 weeks), Study Leave, Volunteering Leave, and more!
• Employee share options for every team member, reflecting our commitment to shared success and ownership.
• Smart Device reimbursement: Working flexibly means accessing the information you need on the go. That’s why we help pay for your smartphone or tablet, claiming up to $60 a month towards your bill.
• Wellness and Lifestyle benefits: We’ll give you $295 a year to spend on items or activities that support your wellness, and up to $205 a year to support your balanced lifestyle.
• Sonder: A digital care platform that empowers people to actively take control of their wellbeing to live well and perform at their best, free to Scyne Employees and their immediate family members.

We value every person and every voice

We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and promoting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

We know that an inclusive culture, and collective intelligence improves the decision-making processes and is critical to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and team. We encourage applications from those in marginalised and/or historically underrepresented communities within our workforce. Additionally, if you require any adjustments to the process, please let us know.

Interested in working together or want to find out more?

If you too share our purpose of helping governments and their agencies build more resilient, secure, equitable and prosperous communities, then you should apply today.

We Value Every Person and Every Voice:

We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and promoting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

We are passionate about improving outcomes with First Peoples, working in collaboration with government and community sectors towards programs which focus on First Nations clients, consumers and communities.  We recognise the knowledge, insights and capabilities of First Peoples. Their strength, resilience and cultural competence are highly valued.

We know that an inclusive culture, and collective intelligence improves the decision-making processes and is critical to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and team. We encourage applications from those in marginalised and/or historically underrepresented communities within our workforce. Additionally, if you require any adjustments to the process, please let us know

Recruitment and Assessment Process:

Scyne’s approach to recruitment and selection is underpinned by key principles and expectations, ensuring we recruit and onboard a skilled and diverse workforce that is representative of the communities and organisations we serve. We ensure selection to roles is fair, with equal access provided, and appointments factor in but not limited to relative ability to fulfil the role, prior performance, potential and alignment with our values – taking unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions into consideration.

We carry out background checks on our people to ensure we have made a sound hiring decision and to protect the organisation and our clients from potential risk. If required, confirmation of a valid Commonwealth security clearance or the ability to obtain a Commonwealth security clearance.

At Scyne, we deeply value our recruitment partnerships. To ensure a clear and efficient process, we kindly request that all candidate submissions from search firms and recruiters are only made in alignment with a pre-existing, signed agreement for a specific position. Please note that any resumes submitted to Scyne for this position on an unsolicited basis, without a prior agreement, will not create any financial obligation for us. Consequently, we will not be liable for any fees or commissions should an unsolicited candidate be engaged, regardless of any conflicting terms or conditions you may have.