The Organisation
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.\
We seek to reflect the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. We are culturally and linguistically diverse, language skills enhance our collective ability to protect Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value.
At a time when Australia's security environment is dynamic, diverse and degrading, our work is more important than ever. Join the mission and make a difference every day.
The opportunity
The newly established TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) Vetting Authority will centralise Australia's highest-level security clearance functions within ASIO over the coming years. Successful applicants will play an instrumental role in building this new capability, established to help protect Australia from the threat of espionage and foreign interference.
Business Administration & Support Officers will be part of the new Business Administration Branch within the TS-PA Vetting Authority, and will contribute to the long-term success of this important function. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to influence the process design and the team's ways of working.
A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.
Responsibilities
As a Contract and Vendor Support Officer at the AE4 level, you will:
- Provide essential administrative support to the Assistant Director in the delivery of the organisation's procurement and vendor management functions.
- Support contract negotiation process by drafting documents, preparing proposals and coordinating discussions between internal stakeholders and external vendors.
- Prepare spending proposals for approval, ensuring all documentation is complete and adheres to organisational policies and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date contract records, tracking key dates, milestones and deliverables to ensure compliance.
- Administer contractor hours worked and process invoices accurately to ensure prompt payment according to agreed contractual terms.
- Assist in gathering market intelligence, conducting basic benchmarking and collecting vendor performance data to support procurement decision-making.
- Compile and distribute regular progress reports on contract status and maintain an accurate, up-to-date supplier register.
- Build and maintain positive, professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate operational outcomes.
As a Contract and Vendor Support Officer at the AE5 level, in addition to the above, you will:
- Manage drafting and review of contract documents and proposals and facilitate discussions between internal stakeholders and external vendors to secure optimal outcomes.
- Manage contract monitoring activities, including tracking key milestones and maintenance of accurate records to ensure full regulatory compliance.
- Conduct market research and benchmarking studies, analysing vendor performance data to support strategic procurement decisions and optimise supplier selection.
As a Contract and Vendor Senior Officer at the AE6 level, in addition to the above, you will:
- Lead the TS-PA Vetting Authority's procurement and vendor management functions, establishing operational frameworks that ensure seamless service delivery and strategic alignment with goals.
- Oversee the end-to-end contract management process, ensuring rigorous tracking of milestones and the maintenance of audit-ready records to guarantee full regulatory compliance.
- Develop and manage high-level professional networks across internal and external agencies to facilitate collaborative, efficient and mutually beneficial procurement outcomes.
As a Contract and Vendor Manager at an AEE1 level, in addition to the above, you will:
- Lead and mentor a specialist team in the end-to-end management of critical supplier contracts, ensuring seamless transition from initiation and execution through to performance monitoring and final closeout.
- Direct the overarching contract management framework to ensure all engagements are aligned with organisational objectives and operational requirements.
- Oversee the financial integrity of vendor engagements, including the rigorous management of timekeeping records and the authorisation of payments to ensure fiscal accountability and audit readiness.
- Lead negotiations with internal stakeholders and external vendors to secure optimal commercial terms and favourable conditions, ensuring that all contractual documentation is legally sound and strategically aligned.
- Collaborate with procurement and legal experts to manage the contract lifecycle.
- Design and implement key performance indicator frameworks and reporting mechanisms to continuously assess vendor performance, driving optimisation and development of organisational policies and standard operating procedures.
What you will bring
We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:
At the AE4 level, you will have:
- Basic understanding of procurement best practices and regulatory requirements, with experience in vendor support.
- Strong time-management skills and the ability to handle competing priorities to meet deadlines.
- Meticulous approach to data entry and record-keeping, ensuring a high level of accuracy.
- A professional and collaborative approach to building positive working relationships with team members and vendors.
- Proficiency in contract management software and a willingness to adapt to new industry tools.
At the AE5 level, in addition to the above, you will have:
- Ability to conduct research and analyse data to support business results and maintain high compliance standards.
- Advanced written and verbal skills with the ability to facilitate collaboration and resolve conflicts among diverse stakeholders.
At the AE6 & AEE1 level, in addition to the above, you will have:
- Advanced experience in contract and vendor management, with a deep understanding of procurement best practices and regulatory frameworks such as PGPA.
- Exceptional ability to lead teams and manage in high-pressure environments to deliver strategic, high-quality outcomes.
- Superior interpersonal skills with a proven track record of building and sustaining influential, high-level relationships.
You are not required to address each capability separately in your application. Consider providing examples that illustrate multiple capabilities at once.
Refer to ASIO's Core Capability Framework to understand what is expected at each level for each capability.
What we offer you
ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:
- A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
- Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
- A variety of leave options in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave, including stand down between Christmas and New Year.
- Flexible working arrangements. Please note due to our unique working environment, work from home options are not available.
- Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
- Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Eligibility
To be eligible to work at ASIO, you must be:
- An Australian citizen
- Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.
Reasonable adjustments
Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace. This may include reasonable adjustments to assessment methodologies to enable full participation.
How to apply
ASIO officers' identities are protected by law. Under section 92 of the ASIO Act, the only declared ASIO officers are the Director-General and Deputy Directors-General. To protect our people's identities, ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.
Apply online' to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:
- A written pitch of up to 500 words that addresses the required capabilities for the role. Use examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the capabilities.
- A current CV, no more than 2 pages in length, outlining your employment history, the dates and a brief description of your role, as well as any academic qualifications or relevant training you have undertaken.
- Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or former supervisor. ASIO will not contact your referees without advising you prior to doing so.
Before applying read the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, both available on the ASIO website. To increase your chances of success, tailor your application responses to align with the relevant capabilities and levels outlined in these frameworks.
Use of AI in recruitment processes
ASIO does not use any form of artificial intelligence at any point in the recruitment process.
All applications are reviewed by a selection panel. We recognise some applicants may use AI technologies to draft applications or prepare for interviews. If you wish to use AI, we recommend doing this only for initial drafts and ensure that your application is personalised and accurately reflects your skills, experience and qualifications.
Additionally, be aware of the privacy policies of any AI tool you use. Be mindful of the information you are entering into AI tools (personal details, work history, etc) and how using it may link you to potential ASIO employment, noting that you are expected to be discreet and maintain confidentiality with your application.
If you are invited to attend interview, the use of AI tools and recording devices during interview is strictly prohibited. Should AI tools or recording services be detected, your application, and any future applications may be discontinued.
The recruitment selection process
Our selection process is rigorous and extensive. All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages may include application assessment, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and interview.
We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process.
Employment conditions
Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.
Australian Workplace Equality Index
ASIO has achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard in 2024, 2025 and 2026, recognising ASIO's inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was the first Australian intelligence agency to achieve this status.
For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.
Enquiries
If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at
[email protected] or phone 02 6263 7888.
More information
For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.
