Senior Project Officer - Strategy & Performance Office
Canberra, ACT, AU
Job Details
EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time
LOCATION - ACT
AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 06 ($107,559.00 - 118,673.00) AFP employees will receive a 4% increase to their base salary effective from 9 December 2025
JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15387
This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.
Did you know?
The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.
Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia.
We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:
- Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down
- 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
- 18 days of paid personal leave per year
- Generous superannuation of 15.4%
- 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
- Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
- Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
- Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities
What is the role?
Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for positions in Integrated Portfolio Office (IPO) and Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO), in the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) Strategy and Performance Office (SPO), at the Band 6 level.
SPO is focused on ideas, influence, and insights, and maximises AFP operational impact by translating the agency’s strategic intent into whole-of-AFP activity and providing influence with Government and key external stakeholders. SPO plays a critical role in managing enterprise priorities, nurturing strategic thinking, and facilitating strong enterprise decision-making.
Within SPO, the IPO and EPMO teams are responsible for the provision of specialist program and project management expertise. We support strategic planning, prioritisation, investment and oversight of capabilities that are critical to achieving operational outcomes and delivering maximum impact to the criminal environment.
As a Senior Project Officer, you will be a part of a cohesive team supporting the effective planning, investment and delivery of the AFP’s current and future capabilities. Our ideal candidate is someone who is eager to learn, excels in critical thinking and problem-solving, and is adaptable to changing environments while effectively managing competing priorities.
What will you do?
As a Senior Project Officer, your key responsibilities will include:
- Conducting routine investigative research and analysis of Program and Project delivery status to inform executive-level decision making.
- Researching, drafting, and preparing briefs, complex correspondence, and reports, including submissions for committee review.
- Engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to provide advice and services that align with governance and project delivery outcomes.
- Conducting targeted assurance activities on programs and projects including, providing high quality recommendations and input for reporting on assurance outcomes.
- Maintaining currency in project management tools and methodologies through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities.
- Applying a high level of discretion, judgement and initiative to all situations and decision making to achieve results and drive continuous improvement.
- Develop team members/knowledge transfer through a guiding, mentoring and advisor role.
- Model the AFP’s Core Values and maintain the highest level of professional standards.
Essential Requirements
- You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
- A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
- Contemporary knowledge and experience relevant to the role.
- Demonstrated stakeholder management skills and the ability to foster productive working relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a small team and have ability to complete tasks with limited guidance.
Desirable Requirements
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically.
Selection Criteria
- Achieve results
- Communicates with influence
- Contributes to strategic thinking
- Cultivates productive working relationships
- Shows personal drive and integrity
Application
Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:
- Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
- Applicant pitch (maximum one page). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.
Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.
Employment Suitability
Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:
- Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
- Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
- Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
- Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.
Recruitment Process
Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.
Contacts and Closing Information
Contact Officer: Nikki Manchanda,
Contact Officer Phone: (02) 5126 3791,
Contact Officer Email: Niharika.Manchanda@afp.gov.au
Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 17/11/2025
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