Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Senior Policy OfficerAdelaide SA, Brisbane QLD, Cairns QLD, Canberra ACT, Darwin NT, Melbourne VIC, Sydney NSW
Who we are
The Animal Health Policy Branch works with government and industry stakeholders to lead, influence and coordinate animal (including aquatic animal) health and marine pest policies and programs to mitigate the potential impact of pests and diseases on Australia's animal, human and environmental health. The branch does this by strengthening national prevention, preparedness, detection and response capabilities.
The Animal Strategy and Coordination Branch operates at the divisional level to define, deliver and coordinate key priorities and activities to improve the effectiveness of existing biosecurity policy and regulatory arrangements for animals and animal products. Additionally, the branch advances biosecurity and market access objectives and establishes and manages initiatives that build capability to enhance our people, processes and systems. The branch achieves this by working within and across government, both domestically and internationally, and with industry stakeholders on activities and programs to manage national priorities.
Within the Animal Health Policy Branch, the Animal Health Projects Section works closely with State and Territory governments, other Commonwealth agencies, industry and other non-government organisations to facilitate national collaboration and decision-making on animal health matters. The team manages the secretariats for the Animal Health Committee and the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease to support efficient and effective national engagement and decision-making on national animal health issues, including on emergency animal disease outbreak responses. The team also works closely with State and Territory governments and industry bodies in delivering improvements to animal health data sharing and exploring reforms in relation to pet food safety in Australia.
Within the Animal Strategy and Coordination Branch, the Strategic and Technical Engagement Section works to improve the establishment, implementation and reporting of key animal health and biosecurity programs, such as Animalplan and the National Lumpy Skin Disease Action Plan. We do this by delivering comprehensive stakeholder engagement and project management support, facilitating divisional priority setting, providing ministerial support and managing the governance and coordination of key activities. We develop easy to understand technical advice for diverse audiences whilst promoting the work of the department to key government and industry stakeholders.
The key duties of the position include:The Jobs
The duties of the roles include, but are not limited to:
• contributing to the development and implementation of animal health projects including developing policy
• providing secretariat and other business support services including managing committee meetings, preparing agendas, minutes and papers
• building and maintaining engagement with government, industry and community stakeholders
• drafting briefs, correspondence, reports and a range of other communications materials to support decision making and engagement
• supporting and coordinating organisational responsibilities including information management and project management
• identifying efficiencies and delivering business improvements (as part of a team), including to national engagement and decision-making mechanisms.
Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill two vacancies (one in each section listed above) and that the roles may be able to be performed from any of the locations listed above. 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 we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
The successful applicants will have:
• Experience working with a range of internal and external stakeholders (including government or industry groups) and forming and maintaining networks and relationships.
• Experience engaging with or supporting the operation of consultative groups, committees or decision-making forums.
• Experience developing and implementing programs and projects.
• Knowledge of, or experience working on, national animal health issues, response arrangements and systems (desirable but not mandatory).
NotesFlexible working arrangements
We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. To seek further information please speak with the contact officer prior to submitting your application.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
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