- APS 6
- $99,734 - $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% Superannuation
- Canberra and Melbourne
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is seeking an experienced and high performing candidate to fill the role of Senior Procurement Officer. The role is available as a non-ongoing opportunity for a period of 12 months and a merit pool will be created to use in filling any similar future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies.
Our ideal candidate is someone who demonstrates experience and knowledge in exercising sound technical procurement expertise, has good interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to be flexible to learn new concepts and willing to coach and develop team members.
What we offer
What truly makes us a great place to work? It is our highly engaging, inclusive and supportive culture. With an outstanding 85% response rate,* our staff told us they feel pride in their work (89%), are committed to our goals (92%), and value our leadership and communication. We are leading the way in employee engagement, innovation, and wellbeing support—making NHMRC not just a workplace, but a community where people thrive. *according to our recent 2024–25 APS Census results.
Our roles come with broad responsibilities and minimal hierarchy, making it easier to get things done. You will be part of a small, inclusive, and high performing team with a strong, supportive culture.
We offer:
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A truly flexible workplace culture.
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A dynamic, diverse and supportive team across Melbourne and Canberra.
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Wellbeing programs including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year and a workplace that genuinely cares.
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Generous recreational leave, personal leave, cultural leave, parental leave and paid end-of-year shutdown.
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Study assistance and professional development opportunities that align with your career goals.
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Opportunities to be trusted to lead high value projects with the freedom to innovate and the support to grow.
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Strategic exposure where you can engage directly with senior leaders and contribute to decisions that shape our future direction.
Remuneration
$99,734 - $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
Job specific duties
As the Senior Procurement Officer, you will report to an Assistant Director and be responsible for contributing to NHMRC’s procurement activities by delivering efficient and timely procurement advice and guidance. The Senior Procurement Officer will play a supportive role in preparing guidance material and supporting the training of NHMRC staff. The Senior Procurement Officer will also contribute to the implementation of improvements to ensure efficient and innovative procurement:
1. Procurement advice and guidance
- Provide accurate procurement and contract management advice for procurement matters to business areas and support the Assistant Director to advise on complex procurement processes.
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Provide support across all business areas to assist with increasing awareness of and compliance with procurement policy and practices.
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Assist with specialised ICT procurement activities, supporting ICT contract management staff and promoting awareness of ICT procurement practices.
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Provide support to procurement-related projects such as the implementation of procurement system automation within the Finance section, ensuring accurate reporting and stakeholder engagement.
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Maintain awareness and knowledge of procurement activities in accordance with the Public Governance Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).
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Draft and review routine procurement documentation including tenders, panels, contracts, and statutory reporting requirements.
2. Education and training
- Contribute to the drafting of training and educational material drawing on existing resources within the Commonwealth context.
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Provide assistance to the CFO to deliver targeted training to NHMRC staff.
3. Procurement reporting and systems
- Prepare procurement reporting activities using system reporting, including, but not limited to, AusTender, Procurement-Connected Policies, Annual Procurement Plans and reports, Senate Estimates and Questions on Notice.
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Confirm contract and purchase order information in the system complies with the CPRs and internal policy.
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Assist with non-compliance reporting on procurement activities.
4. Developing staff
- Developing team capability through coaching, training and mentoring junior staff within the finance section.
5. Other tasks
- Providing backup and/or support to other functions in the Finance section.
Core capabilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities:
- excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to draft high quality documents, provide advice, and communicate persuasively to a range of audiences.
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proven ability to provide advice and/or make decisions that are based on professional judgement and evaluate risks in the context of a complex and changing environment.
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capability to manage staff performance and behaviours, providing clear expectations, constructive feedback and addressing issues in a timely and appropriate manner.
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sound judgement and critical thinking skills to recognise interconnected issues to draw accurate, evidence-based conclusions.
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proven ability to analyse and interpret information and provide clear and succinct advice.
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demonstrated ability to build productive and collaborative relationships with team members and stakeholders, anticipate needs and expectations.
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capability to manage competing priorities, progress work even in challenging circumstances, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, escalating risks and issues with solutions to address them.
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ability to respond in a positive and flexible manner to change and uncertainty and assist teams to work through change.
Highly desirable
The following qualifications, demonstrated knowledge and experience will be highly regarded:
- Certificate IV in Procurement and Contracting
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Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience in, ICT procurement processes, including technology purchasing and contract management
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Knowledge of Financial systems and Austender
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Knowledge of the Commonwealth’s financial framework
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Relevant government financial experience.
Further information
For further information contact Jenny Jacobs on 02 6217 9380 or email
[email protected].
Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment
Candidates should familiarise themselves with the Australian Public Service Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment as they guide the ethical, responsible and transparent use of AI tools by candidates engaging in APS recruitment processes. These principles are designed to ensure that the use of AI tools by candidates aligns with the expectations outlined in the APS Values and Employment Principles and maintains the integrity of recruitment decisions and outcomes.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a position at NHMRC, you must be an Australian citizen and be able to provide evidence of this. If successful, you will also be required to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
How to apply
Please provide:
- an explanation of how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to the role (no more than 750 words)
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a current Resume
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and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current supervisor or manager.
Your Statement of Claims should address the job specific duties and core capability requirements and refer to the relevant sections of the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) and APS work level standards
Access the application form online via NHMRC’s online recruitment system, eRecruit. Submit your online application through the NHMRC Careers page
NHMRC is an inclusive and diverse employer that supports gender equity and diversity in leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including People with Disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, mature age people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Applications close
11:30 PM AEST Wednesday, 08 JULY 2026
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