ACIAR is a small agency with a domestic and international focus.

It comprises three branches: Research, Partnerships and Corporate.

Senior Program Support

Officers and Project Support Officers are based in the Research Branch.

The Research

Branch is at the core of ACIAR’s mission to improve livelihoods, food security and natural resource management through international agricultural research partnerships. The branch develops and manages ACIAR’s research portfolio, working with Australian and partner-country researchers, governments and institutions to deliver high-quality, collaborative research for development. Through its science programs and capacity development activities, the Research Branch generates knowledge, innovation and practical solutions that address agricultural, environmental and food system challenges across the Indo-Pacific region.

A career in ACIAR's Research team offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful international agricultural research for development capacity in a collaborative and supportive environment. If you're passionate about making a difference, want to be part of a branch that drives positive change, interested in pushing technical and policy boundaries, and value working within a talented and respected team, we encourage you to apply.

This position reports to the Director, Research Integration and Co-ordination and works within a small collaborative team.

The Senior Program Officer (SPO) manages program administration, supervises and mentors Project Support Officers (PSOs), and fosters internal engagement to support the effective delivery of research projects and organisational priorities. The SPO provides technical expertise and guidance to the PSO cohort and external stakeholders, promoting collaboration, consistency, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across project activities.

The SPO is responsible for ensuring that work is undertaken in accordance with relevant Commonwealth legislation, policies, and frameworks, including the Public Service Act 1999,



and demonstrates behaviours consistent with the APS Values and APS Code of Conduct. The SPO works with integrity, accountability, respect, impartiality, and a commitment to stewardship, while maintaining high standards of ethical decision-making and professionalism.

The SPO plays a key role in business improvement initiatives, supports effective governance and risk management practices, and contributes to a positive and inclusive workplace culture. The role promotes teamwork, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning across the Research Branch, while ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, and organisational requirements and delivering outcomes that uphold public trust and confidence in the Australian Public Service.

Under the direction of the Director, Research, Integration and Coordination, the SPO will be required to:

1. Provide end-to-end program management and coordination services, including, but not limited to:
1. Supervise staff ensuring an effective high performing team by providing ongoing people management, on the job training, actively mentoring and continual support across the team. Manage staffing matters and change management within the team to ensure staff engagement and fostering a positive team culture.
2. Manage and monitor project actions to ensure delivery of project investments, including preparing high level responses to complex correspondence and ensuring quality assurance.
3. Assist in the development, monitoring and reporting of operating budgets in conjunction with the Director and Finance Team.
4. Maintain stakeholder satisfaction by providing specialist technical expertise, advice and support in program management ensuring consistency and alignment with policy and procedure.
5.



Facilitate engagement across ACIAR and with external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of projects, acknowledging cultural sensitivities and complexities.
6. Initiate ongoing business process and program improvements and manage the implementation of changes to ensure these are embedded in ongoing business practices.
7. Oversee the preparation of contractual documentation in accordance with Australian government legislation and ACIAR policy guidelines and manage research contract variations.
8. Provide high level contract, financial and administrative support through administrative research and data analysis to contribute to reporting requirements, documents and briefs related to the program.
9. Provide quality assurance and efficiency of work practices, including liaising with internal stakeholders and ensuring project information is accurately available in ACIAR’s information systems in accordance with policies and procedures.
10. Identify and implement opportunities to improve systems, processes, procedures, and ways of working to enhance program delivery, strengthening effectiveness, efficiency and stakeholder experience.

- Australian Citizenship - the successful candidate must be an Australian citizen.
- Security clearance - the successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
- Mandatory experience – our successful candidate will possess experience in managing project support activities and have the ability to train and mentor other project support officers.

ACIAR is seeking to fill one APS Level 6 Senior Program Officer position on a non-ongoing basis for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension or being made ongoing.

A merit pool will be established through this recruitment process and may be used to fill similar APS Level 6 vacancies that arise within ACIAR over the next 18 months. The merit pool may be used for ongoing or non-ongoing appointments, on a full time or part-time basis, depending on organisational requirements.

📌 Senior Program Officer, Research (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
📍 Canberra