At the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) you aren’t just another auditor working to confirm dollars and cents; you can make your mark on public sector administration.

The Assurance Projects Branch is unique within the ANAO, responsible for performing a key assurance activity within the Australian Government – the annual priority assurance review of major Defence equipment acquisition projects (the Major Projects Report).

You will make your mark as part of a young and vibrant team of wide-ranging disciplines, working towards a common goal of making a positive impact on the transparency and accountability of the Australian Government.

Major Projects Report

As a member of the Major Projects Report team, you are provided the opportunity to work with one of the largest procurement and sustainment entities within Australia – the Department of Defence. 

The annual Major Projects Report program, established in 2007 and performed in conjunction with the Department of Defence, enables the ANAO to review and report to the Parliament on the status of major Defence equipment acquisition projects. Defence Major Projects have been a significant focus of both the Parliament and the public in the last eight years and working with the ANAO Major Projects Report team is your chance to contribute.

Roles, requirements and responsibilities

Major Projects Report

As a member of the Major Projects Report team, you are provided the opportunity to work with one of the largest procurement and sustainment entities within Australia – the Department of Defence. 

The annual Major Projects Report program, established in 2007 and performed in conjunction with the Department of Defence, enables the ANAO to review and report to the Parliament on the status of major Defence equipment acquisition projects. Defence Major Projects have been a significant focus of both the Parliament and the public in the last eight years and working with the ANAO Major Projects Report team is your chance to contribute.

Qualifications and Specific Job Requirements

To be considered for a position within the Assurance Projects Branch at the ANAO, you will need the following:

  • Degree or higher qualification in a relevant discipline and experience that is considered acceptable.
  • Training/background in evaluation and/or administrative review is highly desirable.
  • Good communication skills, particularly report writing and representation.
  • Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team.
  • Australian Citizenship.

More senior positions also require:

  • Skills in project or task management including planning, leading and managing reviews.
  • Analytical skills, with experience in the following areas an advantage:
    • Gathering and analysing data; and
    • Analysing organisational performance.
  • Appreciation of the value of the Major Projects Report and an understanding of the relevant auditing and assurance standards.

Roles and responsibilities

APB MPR Team Member (APS Level 4)

You will perform tasks of a low to medium complexity contributing to the review of selected projects within the Major Projects Report (MPR) team to ensure the data in the Project Data Summary Sheets (PDSSs) complies with the MPR Guidelines. You will also assist in the preparation of the annual MPR to the Parliament.

Under the supervision and guidance of more experienced team members, this position will:

  • Play an assisting role in completing tasks;
  • Manage tasks and provide assistance in the conduct of reviews;
  • Provide professional and technical support;
  • Assist in preparing review strategies and reports;
  • Contribute to continuous improvement in methodologies and work practices; and
  • Assist in the professional development of less experienced staff.

APB MPR Team Member (APS Level 5)

You will perform tasks of a low to medium complexity contributing to the review of selected projects within the Major Projects Report (MPR) team to ensure the data in the Project Data Summary Sheets (PDSSs) complies with the MPR Guidelines. You will also assist in the preparation of the annual MPR to the Parliament.

Under the supervision and guidance of more experienced team members, this position will:

  • Play a lead or assisting role in completing tasks;
  • Manage tasks and provide high level assistance in the conduct of reviews;
  • Provide professional and technical support;
  • Assist in preparing review strategies and reports;
  • Contribute to continuous improvement in methodologies and work practices; and
  • Assist in the professional development of less experienced staff.

APB MPR Team Leader (APS Level 6)

You will lead small teams in performing reviews of selected projects within the MPR as well as having responsibility for the development of less experienced staff within your team. You will be responsible for completing more complex and higher risk tasks in ensuring the data in the PDSSs comply with the MPR Guidelines. You will assist in the drafting of site reports and other strategic documents for circulation to Department of Defence staff. You will contribute to the analysis and drafting of the annual MPR to the Parliament.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Director/s and Director/s, this position will:

  • Play a lead role in completing tasks;
  • Manage tasks and provide high level assistance in the conduct of reviews;
  • Provide significant professional and technical support;
  • Assist in preparing review strategies and reports;
  • Contribute to continuous improvement in methodologies and work practices; and
  • Supervise and assist in the professional development of more junior staff.

APB MPR Director (Executive Level 1)

You will manage teams in planning and performing reviews of selected projects within the MPR to ensure the data in the PDSSs comply with the MPR Guidelines. You will have responsibility within these reviews for completing tasks that are strategically important or of a moderate to high risk as well as drafting site reports for circulation to Department of Defence staff, and performing analysis for and assisting in the drafting of the annual MPR to the Parliament. You will have day to day supervisory responsibility for one to two staff members reporting to you including shared responsibility for their individual development with Senior Directors. You will also have responsibilities with regard to relationship management and liaison between the Department of Defence and the ANAO on any issues that need resolution during the year.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Director/s, this position will:

  • Take responsibility for drafting an element of the MPR, and ensuring the supporting analytical work is robust;
  • Lead or make a contribution to the completion or review of governance documentation;
  • Manage tasks and provide high level assistance, or lead, the conduct of project reviews;
  • Provide professional and technical support;
  • Assist in preparing review strategies and reports;
  • Contribute to continuous improvement in methodologies and work practices; and
  • Supervise and assist in the professional development of less experienced staff.

APB MPR Senior Director (Executive Level 2)

You will provide overarching support and guidance for the teams while also contributing to the reviews of projects in the MPR through undertaking the most strategically important and high risk tasks. You will review and approve site reports for circulation to Department of Defence staff and you will have direct responsibility for developing the analysis and drafting significant portions of the annual MPR to the Parliament. You will have overall day to day responsibility for staff matters and resource management, including continued individual staff development. You will also be responsible for relationship management/liaison between the ANAO and the Department of Defence, other business areas within the ANAO and other external stakeholders, including the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) and the Parliament.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Executive Director, this position will:

  • Lead and manage a work area responsible for undertaking assurance reviews;
  • Assist with the strategic management of the work area and the development of strategic solutions;
  • Formulate business and operational plans for the work area;
  • Provide significant professional and technical advice on a range of assurance review issues;
  • Contribute significantly to the setting and achievement of organisational objectives;
  • Raise awareness of Major Projects Report issues for performance and financial audits;
  • Manage client relationships; and
  • Motivate, guide and ensure professional development of staff.

Meet your workmates