Australian Department Of Agriculture, Fisheries And Forestry | Assistant Director

Biosecurity Operations Division delivers nationally integrated biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities to ensure goods, conveyances and travellers meet Australia's import requirements.
Division operations include policy and regulatory control setting across imported food and biosecurity risk pathways, as well as the delivery of assessment, inspection, community engagement and contact centre services.
The division also partners with industry to improve the delivery of regulatory functions.
The division spans a range of regulatory activities that plays a critical role in reducing risk and shaping our nation to become one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world's most severe pests and diseases.

The Cargo Operations Pathway delivers regulatory assessment and inspections of goods, across the biosecurity continuum (offshore, at the border and onshore) to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity and imported food requirements.
Cargo Operations Pathway works with policy and risk owners within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements, national standards and within an integrated, risk-based operating model.
The group has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities and major regional ports.
Cargo Operations Pathway includes the Client Contact Group, Cargo Assessments and Cargo Inspections.

The Cargo Operations Business Management (COBM) team provides management support to the Cargo Operations Pathway to drive consistency and improvement in business management practices.
This includes parliamentary process coordination, governance coordination, operational business support, business continuity planning, frontline operational financial and contract management, performance measure reporting, business planning, consideration of Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA) compensation claims, statutory compensation management and client feedback.
COBM also contributes to broader strategic innovation and improvement projects for the pathway.

The Job
The role of an Assistant Director in Biosecurity Compensation Processing Management in COBM is to lead a small geographically dispersed team to support the achievement of operational outcomes in line with the department's corporate plan and Biosecurity Operations Division (BOD) business plan.
The successful applicant will have excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication and organisational skills with the ability to adapt to change and contribute to decision making processes.
They will also be required to demonstrate a high level of judgement and expertise to interpret and analyse information from a range of sources.

Duties include but are not limited to:
Leading and managing the performance and accountability of a geographically dispersed team.
Leading and managing the investigation of, and response to, discretionary compensation claims for Biosecurity Operations Division, including claims lodged under the CDDA scheme and other compensation schemes under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Preparing high quality written materials including investigation (summary of events) reports for legal advisors, and reporting on activities and performance for senior executive.
Providing accurate and objective advice on operational processes to the department's legal advisors, and leading development of evidence-based decision briefs related to compensation claims for delegate consideration.
Reviewing advice from legal advisors and operational areas to support the management of complex biosecurity operations compensation claims.
Working with the Director to set the strategic direction and forward work program for the section and contributing to the strategic direction of the branch and division.
Engaging with key stakeholders in the department to deliver timely, consistent, and legally sound advice to Cargo Operations staff and executives.
Actively seeking and initiating continuous improvement activities, while proactively managing risks and sensitivities.
Developing and leading a range of performance metric reporting products related to compensation processing.
Informing operational and business improvement opportunities arising from compensation matters.
Ensuring maintenance of accurate computer-based records for tracking and record keeping purposes, including the suite of Microsoft Office products, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, in-house IT systems, shared drives and HPE Content Manager.
Please note that the merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

What are we looking for
Knowledge and Experience
Knowledge of or capacity to quickly acquire the principles of administrative law and objectives of regulatory practice including the Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA).
Experience in communicating, influencing, and managing change.
Experience in investigating claims or incidents, analysing evidence and data, and reporting on outcomes.
Experience in leading, managing and supporting staff including effective coaching and mentoring.
Experience in managing a team with competing workloads, setting priorities and ensuring quality outputs.
Sound knowledge of or capacity to quickly develop understanding of the relevant legislation, policies, and guidelines in an operational context.
Experience in managing and developing relationships with stakeholders to achieve work area and agency goals while responding to stakeholder needs and expectations.
Experience in the use of the Microsoft Office suite with the ability to quickly learn in-house IT systems.
Skills and Capabilities
Ability to build organisational capability in a team environment through supporting, coaching, providing performance feedback, conflict resolution and encouraging development opportunities.
Excellent written communication skills, including reviewing and preparing complex and sensitive correspondence and reports for internal and external clients.
High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to verify and validate information from multiple sources.
Motivated, self-driven and outcome-focused with a high level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to gather and investigate information, problem-solve issues and make recommendations on the next course of action.
Ability to motivate the team, prioritise tasks, adapt to changing priorities and make use of individual and team capabilities to deliver outcomes.
Ability to respond positively to change and remain flexible in a fast-paced and challenging environment during times of change and uncertainty.
Ability to maintain accurate computer-based records for tracking and record-keeping purposes.
Display and champion behaviours that align with APS Values and Code of Conduct.
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