Azooa is preparing a response for 2026-164-Joint-IASPO-RFQ – IASPO K04 Project Scheduler and is seeking suitably qualified contractors for this Defence opportunity.

This role supports JC4S / IASPO / JP 9141 and requires a senior Level 3 Project Scheduler with strong Open Plan Professional , major project scheduling, monthly reporting, schedule risk management, Work Breakdown Structure and Defence project environment experience.

Azooa’s recommended maximum hourly rate, based on current market conditions, is $133.58/hour including super . Azooa recommends bidding at or below $133.58/hour including super where possible, as this will support stronger value-for-money positioning for winning.

Early submissions are encouraged, as applications may be reviewed as they are received.

Overview The Information Assurance Systems Program Office is responsible for the acquisition, modernisation, sustainment and through-life management of Defence’s High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment capability.

Through the JP 9141 HACE remediation and modernisation program , IASPO is delivering a phased upgrade and replacement of Defence cryptographic systems to address capability obsolescence and emerging operational requirements.

The role is a Level 3 Project Scheduler position supporting project schedule management within an integrated workforce.

Core Purpose The core purpose of the role is to provide senior project schedule management support to JP 9141.

The contractor will establish, maintain, monitor and control project schedules, support monthly reporting, manage Open Plan Skilled schedules, identify schedule risks and ensure project activities progress in accordance with approved project procedures.

Scope / Responsibilities The Project Scheduler will be expected to:

- Perform project schedule support work within an integrated workforce
- Interpret and comply with legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks
- Coordinate and support monthly reporting across the project team
- Support reporting in PPRIP and SPMS
- Engage, monitor and control compliant schedules for approved projects in contract
- Support schedules capable of being reported through MRS
- Undertake planning activities for pre-approval projects
- Develop schedules ready for baselining after project approval
- Perform monthly management of Open Plan Professional schedules
- Progress project activities, milestones and financial payment schedule elements
- Inform the Project Director of identified schedule risks
- Ensure activities progress in accordance with project standard operating procedures
- Establish and maintain Project Work Breakdown Structures
- Establish and maintain WBS data dictionaries
- Establish and maintain project schedules using Open Plan Professional

Key Deliverables

Expected deliverables may include

- Maintained project schedules in Open Plan Professional
- Monthly schedule updates
- Monthly reporting inputs for PPRIP and SPMS




- Schedule data suitable for reporting through MRS
- Project Work Breakdown Structures
- WBS data dictionaries
- Baselined schedules for approved projects
- Pre-approval project schedules ready for baselining
- Schedule risk identification and escalation inputs
- Milestone tracking updates
- Financial payment schedule tracking inputs
- Schedule compliance and quality assurance inputs
- Schedule status reporting for the Project Director
- Schedule management support aligned to project SOPs

Mandatory / Essential Criteria Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- Senior scheduling experience with Open Plan Qualified
- Scheduling experience in major projects
- Ability to work within an integrated project workforce
- Ability to interpret and comply with legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks
- Experience coordinating monthly project reporting
- Experience supporting project reporting systems such as PPRIP, SPMS or similar
- Experience managing compliant schedules for approved projects
- Experience developing schedules for pre-approval projects
- Experience maintaining project activities, milestones and financial payment schedules
- Ability to identify and communicate schedule risks
- Experience establishing and maintaining Work Breakdown Structures
- Experience developing and maintaining WBS data dictionaries
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Current NV1 Australian Government security clearance
- Ability to work onsite for a minimum of 3 days per week

Desirable Criteria Highly desirable experience may include:
- Previous experience in a Defence project environment
- JP 9141 experience
- IASPO experience
- JC4S experience
- High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment capability experience
- Cryptographic systems remediation or modernisation program experience
- Defence acquisition or sustainment scheduling experience
- Experience with schedule reporting through MRS
- Experience supporting major Defence capability projects
- Experience working with project directors, project controls teams and integrated project teams
- Experience supporting Time and Materials Defence contracting environments

Engagement Details
- RFQ Number: 2026-164-Joint-IASPO-RFQ
- RFQ Title: IASPO K04 – Project Scheduler
- Project / Domain: JC4S / IASPO / JP 9141
- Role: Project Scheduler
- Skill Set: 1.4 Project Schedule Management
- Skill Level: Level 3
- Vacancies: 1
- FTE: 1.0
- Start Date: ASAP
- End Date: 30 June 2027, with possible extension
- Location: Campbell Park Offices, Canberra
- Onsite Requirement: Minimum 3 days per week onsite




- Security Clearance: NV1
- ITAR Requirement: Yes
- Contracting Model: Time and Materials
- Supplier Response Due Date: 13 August 2026

Clearance Requirements This role requires an Australian Government security clearance of at least NV1 .

The RFQ also notes that the position may require access to US export-controlled materiel . Applicants may be requested to disclose any dual citizenship with another country and their country of birth during the recruitment process. Dual citizens may be subject to further assessment, and appointment may be conditional upon approval to access US-controlled export material.

RFQTS Relevance

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

- Level 3 Project Schedule Management capability
- Open Plan Professional scheduling experience
- Major project scheduling experience
- JP 9141 / IASPO / JC4S relevance
- Defence project environment experience
- Monthly reporting experience
- PPRIP and SPMS reporting support
- MRS schedule reporting readiness
- WBS and WBS dictionary experience
- Schedule baselining and maintenance
- Schedule risk identification
- Milestone and financial payment tracking
- Integrated workforce experience
- NV1 clearance
- Minimum 3 days per week onsite availability in Canberra

Rate Guidance
- Azooa recommended maximum rate: $133.58/hour including super
- Azooa recommended value-for-money target: $133.58/hour including super or under

Azooa recommends bidding at or below $133.58/hour including super where possible, based on current market conditions, as this will support a stronger value-for-money position and improve the chance of winning. Rate competitiveness generally works as follows:

- Below $133.58/hour including super: strongest value-for-money position and higher chance of winning
- At $133.58/hour including super: aligned to Azooa’s recommended maximum and may still be competitive
- Above $133.58/hour including super: less competitive unless specialist Defence scheduling, Open Plan Professional, JP 9141, IASPO, cryptographic systems, HACE capability or major Defence project controls experience strongly justifies the rate

Higher rates may still be considered where niche Defence scheduling, Open Plan Professional, JP 9141, IASPO, cryptographic systems, HACE capability or major Defence project controls experience outweighs rate competitiveness. How Azooa Can Support You

Azooa can support you by:

- Positioning your profile to maximise win probability
- Helping align your rate with current market expectations and value-for-money positioning
- Assisting with tailored CV and submission strategy
- Highlighting relevant Open Plan Professional, Defence scheduling and project controls experience
- Supporting response positioning against Level 3 Project Schedule Management requirements
- Providing access to similar Defence and Federal Government opportunities

📌 Project Scheduler (Canberra)
🏢 Azooa
📍 Canberra