Senior Quality Assurance Advisor

at  Australian Trade and Investment Commission Austrade

• Classification: Executive Level 1
• Location: Brisbane – QLD, Canberra - ACT, Melbourne - VIC, Sydney - NSW
• Salary: $112,868 - $126,961

THE ROLE:

The EL1 Senior Advisor, Portfolio Quality Assurance, supports the STS reforms by applying quality assurance practices to the effective delivery of STS portfolio, programs and projects. This role is responsible for managing governance across all STS projects within the allocated portfolio to ensure the application of appropriate portfolio, programs and project management and governance controls. This role will drive quality assurance by conducting consistent review and evaluation processes, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure transparency around program and project outputs, aims and objectives. The Senior Advisor role is imperative to demonstrate the value and impact of the STS reform at a whole-of-government level, as well as to business and industry partners.
The Senior Advisor will provide expertise across a broad range of STS activities, with in-depth knowledge of, and compliance with legislative and administrative frameworks, agency guidelines and governance processes. The role is responsible for coordinating cross agency program and projects activities and monitoring progress and reporting. The Senior Advisor will work closely with the Senior Portfolio Monitoring and Control Advisor and within the Portfolio Oversight team, to ensure accuracy, consistency and alignment across the STS portfolio.
The Senior Advisor will possess a strong background and proven expertise in portfolio, program assurance and project management and will exercise sound decision-making and provide expert advice. The role requires an innovative approach and a commitment to continuous improvement to keep standards high and to maintain progress against STS reform initiatives. The role will be responsible for the preparation of comprehensive project documentation and reporting that aligns with agreed governance frameworks and contributes to the consistent execution of the STS reform strategic objectives.
Given our commitment to diversity and inclusion, Austrade actively encourages applications from people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds for all of our roles.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Develop and establish STS portfolio standards and processes including change management, enabling quality outputs that support coordination of metrics and changes to baselined measures.
• Manage and coordinate governance for programs and projects within the allocated portfolio, provide monitoring and escalation for portfolio, programs and project-related issues or risks to ensure resolution of issues and adherence to portfolio, programs and project management and governance requirements.
• Conduct due diligence on submissions including reviewing business case information such as estimates, schedules, delivery approach, financials and resource plans to ensure they are realistic and can achieve required objectives and ensure consistency, alignment and transparency with status, reporting and governance guidelines.
• Coordinate and manage review meetings with projects and programs to discuss and challenge program or project health, uncover issues and recommend an appropriate course of action.
• Validate and provide quality assurance and feedback on reported information including progress updates, achievements, program or project health, including time, cost and quality requirements, risks and issues.
• Provide regular reporting to key stakeholders and the executive to ensure key program or project information is communicated promptly and facilitates high-level decision making.
• Identifying risks, issues and areas of non-compliance proactively and influencing and supporting the program or project teams to meet governance and project requirements.
• Balancing competing demands and stakeholder requirements effectively to ensure key deliverables are met within the required timeframes.
• Manage documentation and information by preparing and maintaining comprehensive project documentation to facilitate effective reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
• Facilitate strategic stakeholder engagement leading engagement efforts and ensuring cohesive collaboration across the Portfolio and with external partners.