Strategic Business & Financial Adviser – Defence Capability | NV1 | Canberra

Azooa is preparing a response to Department of Defence RFx30117 – Financial and Business Support Services and is seeking a suitably qualified Strategic Business & Financial Adviser to support the Capability Development Division (CDD).

This is a senior Level 3 qualified contracting engagement suited to an experienced Defence/Commonwealth finance professional with solid capability across strategic financial advice, budgeting, forecasting, governance, reporting and executive stakeholder engagement.

Opportunity Overview

Client: Department of Defence

RFQ: RFx30117

Role: Strategic Business & Financial Adviser – Defence Capability

Level: Professional Contractor – Level 3

Location: Russell Offices, ACT

Clearance: NV1 – mandatory

Proposed commencement: 1 October 2026

Initial term: Through 30 June 2027

Extensions: 2 x 12 months, potentially through 30 June 2029

Hours: 8 hours per day, 5 days per week

Flexible working: May be available subject to Defence approval and operational/security requirements

About the Role The Capability Development Division requires a senior financial advisory specialist to provide strategic financial and business advice across the Division.

The successful contractor will support executive decision-making, financial compliance, governance and effective management of Defence resources in accordance with Commonwealth and Defence financial frameworks.

The role will operate with a considerable degree of independence and will require strong judgement,



stakeholder-management capability and the ability to provide authoritative advice on funding, expenditure, budgeting, forecasting and financial governance.

Key Responsibilities The successful candidate will be expected to:

- Establish and maintain sound financial and budget-management practices across CDD
- Develop and maintain appropriate financial controls
- Provide expert financial and policy advice to senior Defence stakeholders
- Prepare and manage operating budgets
- Deliver financial forecasts, reports, dashboards and management information
- Coordinate Division-wide budget reviews and financial updates
- Support Senate Estimates, Annual Reports and other external reporting requirements
- Provide strategic costing, funding and financial-assurance advice
- Support financial governance, audit and compliance activities
- Monitor expenditure and financial obligations
- Assist with invoice-payment and financial-management processes
- Develop and document financial and business processes and SOPs
- Support contract-management and governance meetings
- Undertake knowledge transfer and transition activities with Defence personnel
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve effective funding and project outcomes

Strong Candidate Profile





Azooa is particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

- Significant senior Defence or Commonwealth financial-management experience
- Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial-reporting capability
- Financial governance, assurance and compliance experience
- Experience supporting senior executives and complex stakeholder groups
- Strategic funding and costing experience
- Defence capability-development experience
- Experience with Commonwealth decision-making and financial frameworks
- Strong audit, reporting and governance capability

Qualifications & Systems Experience

Highly relevant candidates are expected to demonstrate:

- Bachelor’s degree in finance, commerce, business or a related discipline
- Master’s degree in finance, commerce, business or a related discipline
- FCPA or equivalent professional accounting accreditation
- ERP systems experience
- More than 4 years’ experience using IBRS
- Working knowledge of CapabilityOne
- Ideally around 20 years’ experience delivering comparable financial-management or advisory services within Defence or other Commonwealth environments

Security Clearance

Candidates must hold and maintain an active NV1 security clearance for the duration of the engagement.

Rate Guidance

Maximum rate: $165.82/hour GST

Recommended competitive rate: approximately $163.82/hour including super

Candidates with particularly strong Defence financial-management experience, FCPA-level credentials, specialist systems knowledge and exceptional domain alignment may still be considered at different rates.

📌 Financial Advisor (Canberra)
🏢 Azooa
📍 Canberra