Full time
Please note, this position is located in Canberra
Who we are
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is the lead agency for the food, fibre, fisheries and forestry sectors in Australia.
We support the entire supply chain, helping to grow Australia's economy and meet consumer demands both at home and in overseas markets.
Our 5,500 employees work in a range of environments and locations around Australia from airports and abattoirs to laboratories and foreign countries daily to improve the value, productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector.
The Sustainability, Climate and Strategy Division is responsible for developing and implementing a suite of policies and programs that advance the government's sustainable agriculture and climate agenda.
The Climate Policy Branch is a multi-disciplinary, specialist function that provides strong national leadership and direction on climate change and Australia's agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
The branch is at the forefront of policy development and program design with respect to both climate adaptation and mitigation priorities and works across government agencies (including with state and territory counterparts) to ensure the department is shaping broader whole-of-government climate and net zero agendas.
Building trusted, professional relationships with diverse industry stakeholders, researchers and subject matter experts, as well as international peers is therefore essential to achieving our objectives.
The job
As Assistant Secretary, Climate Policy your duties will include:
Leading the branch in providing policy analysis and technical advice, across a range of complex and cross-cutting issues impacting greenhouse gas mitigation from the agriculture sector, land sequestration and broader climate adaptation.
Building trusted and professional relationships with key stakeholders and subject matter experts – often in areas where views and priorities are contested.
Setting clear direction and national leadership across the agri-food system with respect to the sector's contribution to climate mitigation and adaptation goals.
Being comfortable and confident to progress agendas and work programs often in a contextual environment where broader ambiguity and uncertainty may prevail.
Leading the preparation of cabinet submissions and new policy proposals is a core requirement, often in a dynamic and time-constrained environment.
Advancing our international engagement and international partnerships with like-minded countries and organisations that underpin our credentials as a low emissions producer and exporter of food and fibre.
Collaborating closely with Commonwealth and state and territory counterparts to support alignment of initiatives, strategic priorities and program design.
Leading and implementing policies and programs to address organisational, whole-of-government and industry priorities for the advancement of Australia's climate credentials in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.
Promoting a high-performance culture, while focusing on continuous improvement of employee and organisational performance as well as budget management.
Actively connecting our climate policies and programs with cross-cutting initiatives led by other teams, including with respect to drought and farm resilience, natural resource management, natural capital and biodiversity.
Draw on fit-for-purpose data and analytics (supported by close working relationships with ABARES colleagues) to underpin our evidence-based approach to policy and program design and delivery.
What we are looking for
To be successful for this role you will need to meet the Senior Executive Service capability for the SES Band 1 classification, and you will have the following:
Ability to demonstrate your collaboration and agility with a proven record of delivering high quality and innovative policy and program outcomes in a complex, politically sensitive, and operationally diverse environment.
Outstanding leadership skills, a substantial record of achievement and a reputation for innovation and delivery of results.
Outstanding stakeholder relationship skills and experience in engaging with internal and external stakeholders at all levels to explore opportunities and solve complex problems.
Demonstrating a strategic perspective and ability to manage competing demands and work to tight deadlines.
Highly developed management and stakeholder engagement skills and ability to represent the department at a range of forums.
Demonstrated public service professionalism and probity.
Tertiary qualifications in economics, law, policy, public administration or other related disciplines are desirable.
In addition, a contemporary understanding of climate policies and their application to Australia's agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector is preferred.
Security clearance
This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance.
The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at the appropriate level for this position.
Please note, we anticipate interviews being held week commencing 20 January 2025.
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