Commercial Officer

Azooa is preparing a response for 2026-156-Joint-EWIS-JA-RFQ – Land 156 Commercial Officer and is seeking suitably qualified contractors for this opportunity.

This is a Defence commercial management role supporting Electromagnetic Warfare Intelligence Systems Joint & Air SPO and Land 156 acquisition activities, with a focus on contracts, procurement, commercial risk, finance, compliance and stakeholder engagement.

Overview

The Electromagnetic Warfare Intelligence Systems Joint & Air SPO undertakes acquisition and through-life support of assigned Joint and Air Electromagnetic Warfare capabilities used by the Australian Defence Force.

The SPO delivers countermeasures development and validation services and supports capability delivery on behalf of the Intelligence and Security Group and the Australian Defence Force.

The successful Commercial Officer will provide support to Land 156 acquisition activities, overseeing commercial aspects of contracts and agreements and ensuring contract compliance across internal business areas.

Core Purpose

The core purpose of this role is to provide commercial, procurement and contract management support to Defence acquisition activities within the EWIS Joint & Air SPO.

The Commercial Officer will support contract compliance, procurement documentation, tender development, commercial risk management, financial controls and project outcomes in line with Commonwealth and Defence policy.

Scope / Responsibilities

The Commercial Officer will be expected to support activities including:

• Supporting the development of tenders
• Conducting response evaluation in accordance with AUSDEFCON suite requirements
• Assisting with commercial and procurement functions in acquisition areas
• Planning, organising and developing procurement documentation
• Obtaining relevant internal approvals
• Supporting due diligence activities
• Supporting subcontractor engagement and management
• Assisting with commercial risk, opportunity and issue management
• Managing contractual, procurement and financial activities
• Supporting compliance with Commonwealth and Defence procurement policies
• Participating in relevant courses, training and workshops
• Supporting project reporting and commercial governance
• Completing additional project tasking as directed by the Project Director, Deputy Project Director or Project Manager
• Working collaboratively with project team members, stakeholders, contractors and Defence agencies

Key Deliverables

Expected deliverables may include:

• Tender development support
• Tender response evaluation inputs
• Procurement documentation
• Internal approval documentation
• Contract management and contract performance support
• Commercial risk, opportunity and issue registers
• Financial planning and pricing support
• Contract administration records
• Procurement compliance documentation
• Subcontractor engagement and due diligence support
• Commercial reporting and project governance inputs
• Stakeholder engagement and coordination support
• Documentation supporting Commonwealth and Defence policy compliance

Mandatory / Essential Criteria

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong background in commercial management
• Experience in program or project support functions
• Strong reporting skills
• Demonstrated familiarity with Commonwealth and Defence procurement policies
• Sound understanding of ASDEFCON-based contracts
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and under broad direction
• Ability to meet demanding project milestones
• Experience in financial planning, pricing, billing procedures and contract administration
• High level of competence using Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work collaboratively with project team members and stakeholders
• Ability to manage work tasks aligned to strategic project objectives
• Ability to communicate expected outcomes clearly
• Current Australian Government security clearance of at least NV1
• Ability to work onsite for a minimum of 4 days per week

Desirable Criteria

Highly desirable experience may include:

• Legal qualifications
• Experience with export controls and ITAR
• Experience supporting Defence acquisition projects
• Experience working in high-performing project teams
• Experience building trusted relationships with project teams, customers and partners
• Understanding of Electronic Warfare
• Defence experience as uniformed, APS or contractor personnel
• Experience supporting contract performance and procurement assurance
• Experience working with ASDEFCON contracting frameworks
• Ability to apply critical thinking to complex commercial problems
• Experience working in flexible delivery environments

Engagement Details

• RFQ Title: Land 156 Commercial Officer
• RFQ Number: 2026-156-Joint-EWIS-JA-RFQ
• Role Title: Commercial Officer
• Skill Set: 4.5 Contract Management & Contract Performance
• Skill Level: L3
• Vacancies: 1
• FTE Required: 1.0
• Location: Canberra only
• Work Arrangement: Minimum 4 days onsite per week
• Start Date: ASAP
• End Date: 31 December 2026
• Likely Extension: To December 2027
• Contracting Model: Time and Materials
• Clearance: Minimum NV1, with requirement to uplift to NV2 on successful contract
• ITAR Requirement: Yes

Clearance and Suitability Requirements

Candidates must hold a minimum NV1 security clearance.

The successful candidate will be required to uplift to NV2 following successful contract award.

This position may require access to US export-controlled materiel. Applicants may be requested to disclose:

• Dual citizenship with another country
• Country of birth
• Any relevant information required for ITAR access assessment

Dual citizens may be subject to further assessment, and appointment will be conditional upon approval to access US-controlled export materiel in accordance with the United States Arms Export Control Act.

The RFQ also notes that candidates must not have worked full-time for Defence as either an ADF SERCAT 6 or 7 member, or APS employee, in the 12 months prior to commencing as an Above-the-Line contractor.

RFQ Relevance

Your profile will need to be positioned against the RFQ requirements, including:

• Contract management and contract performance experience
• Commonwealth and Defence procurement policy knowledge
• ASDEFCON contract familiarity
• Commercial risk and issue management experience
• Financial planning, pricing and contract administration experience
• Ability to support Land 156 acquisition activities
• Ability to work with Defence stakeholders and project teams
• NV1 clearance and ability to uplift to NV2
• Ability to support ITAR-related requirements
• Ability to work onsite in Canberra for at least 4 days per week

Rate Guidance

• Maximum rate: $153.06/hour including super
• Azooa recommendation: Candidates are recommended to bid under $153.06/hour including super in the current market to support a more competitive submission.

Rate competitiveness generally works as follows:

• Below $153.06/hour including super: stronger competitiveness position
• At $153.06/hour including super: maximum recommended rate position
• Above $153.06/hour including super: may be less competitive unless specialist Defence commercial management, ASDEFCON, EWIS, ITAR, procurement, contract performance or security-cleared experience strongly justifies the rate

Higher rates may still be considered where niche Defence commercial management, ASDEFCON, EWIS, ITAR, procurement, contract performance or clearance experience outweigh rate competitiveness.

Please provide your expected hourly or daily rate including super, so Azooa can assess competitiveness.

How Azooa Can Support You

Azooa can support you by:

• Positioning your profile to maximise win probability
• Helping align your rate with market expectations
• Assisting with tailored responses and submission strategy
• Highlighting relevant Defence, procurement, ASDEFCON and commercial management experience
• Providing access to similar Defence and Federal Government opportunities