THE CLIENT

Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) is a business group within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) responsible for managing the eradication of exotic pest and disease incursions in Australia. To support national response and to protect Queensland’s economy, BQ brings together expertise and capabilities into one central agency enabling a collaborative and integrated approach to risk management. It leads the Qld Government's efforts to prevent, respond to and recover from pests and diseases threatening agricultural prosperity, the environment, social amenity and human health.

BQ continues to be recognised as a global leader in their field. Within Biosecurity Queensland, services are delivered across the state through four operational programs that are supported by Strategy and Performance: Animal Biosecurity and Welfare, Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity, National Red Imported Fire Ant Evaluation program and Invasive Plants and Animals.

Queensland deals with more biosecurity incursions than any other state or territory in Australia due to its environmental diversity and climatic conditions that favour the establishment of many invasive species. Numerous plants and animals have been introduced, either deliberately or accidentally. Some of these species have become invasive—that is, they have spread and multiplied to the point where they can cause damage to the environment, the economy and the community.

Invasive plants and animals have the potential to adversely alter ecosystem function, reduce primary industry productivity and profitability and threaten human and animal health and social amenity.

 

THE OPPORTUNITY - Provide leadership across BQ on policies and strategies at a State and National level.

A rare and exciting opportunity has become available for a General Manager to lead the Invasive Plants and Animals program within BQ due to the current incumbent retiring. With relocation assistance and flexibility on location, (must be based in Queensland), this role presents a great opportunity for a senior executive leader who is passionate about the environment and keen to make a difference.

Invasive Plants and Animals do not affect only the Environment, Human Health, and Social Amenity. Conservative estimates suggest that invasive animals cost the Australian economy between $720M and $1B annually stemming predominantly from management (public and private) and lost production. Estimates of the annual cost to Queensland are around $600M. This cost stems from management and control efforts and lost agricultural production.

 

In summary, the successful candidate will:

• Lead and improve the visibility of Biosecurity Queensland’s performance, connecting strategy, delivery and outcomes that drive culture change.
• Reporting to the Deputy Director-General and Chief Biosecurity Officer and being a member of the Biosecurity Queensland Leadership Team (BLT), provide leadership across BQ on biosecurity policies and strategies and their interrelationship with State and National biosecurity systems.
• Be responsible for driving performance within BQ. You will lead and manage the policy function of the Invasive Plants and Animals Program (including policy development and community and stakeholder engagement) to achieve outcomes consistent with Biosecurity Queensland’s strategic direction.
• Engage in strategic thinking and be an effective influencer with a holistic understanding of the factors influencing the department’s and Biosecurity Queensland’s internal and external environment.
• Provide strong organisational change leadership with a focus on driving capability uplift and modelling new ways of working.
• Represent the Invasive Plants and Animals Program on high level national biosecurity forums and committees and in community engagement processes to achieve biosecurity goals.
• Ensure that the technical quality for the policy function of the program, including training, is at a high level and consistent with national programs.
• Provide leadership to effectively oversee the prevention, surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and ongoing management functions, of the Invasive Plants and Animals Program.
• Ensure Queensland’s preparedness and response systems for invasive plants and animals’ incidents are of the highest standard and are integrated into the Queensland Government’s security response framework.

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for an outstanding leader and manager with an innovative approach to service delivery, the ability to inspire and lead change and a proven record of delivering high quality outcomes in a fast-paced and complex environment.

You will have both operational and policy experience and your well-honed presentation, influencing and stewardship skills will be complemented by intellectual rigour, sound judgement, a strong achievement orientation along with a personal style that engenders trust and respect.

 

To be successful in your application, you must meet the following criteria:

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications in a scientific discipline relevant to this role.
• You will be an expert in your field, having a thorough understanding of Biosecurity matters relating to invasive plants and animals.
• You will be a resilient, confident scientific leader with demonstrated experience in building and sustaining effective relationships and productive networks with key internal and external stakeholders.
• An effective and influential communicator, with demonstrated ability to work constructively and negotiate with stakeholders in  industry, the community and government (Local, State and National) to deliver outcomes.
• You will demonstrate the ability to provide strong organisational change leadership with a focus on driving capability uplift and modelling new ways of working.
• Excellent people and negotiation skills with the ability to work collegiately with a broad range of stakeholders from industry, government and the wider community.
• Demonstrated ability to pragmatically engage with risk to solve highly complex and high-profile biosecurity issues whilst remaining client focused.
• Proven experience in providing sound advice with diplomacy and tact, and in identifying and addressing potential risks to the program.
• Demonstrated ability to lead individual and groups of projects of scale and/or complexity and manage financial and project performance.
• Strategic ability to research, conceptualise and analyse complex policy issues and risks.
• Able to maintain a high standard of practice through governance and risk management.

 

APPLICATIONS

To obtain more information about this opportunity and/or a Candidate Information Pack, please call Helen on +61 438 620 434 or Jovana on +61 411 197 171. Alternatively, send us a text to organise a suitable time to have a confidential discussion. You can also choose to enquire electronically by emailing helen@csexecgroup.com or jovana@csexecgroup.com.

To apply, please send your resume and a covering letter to CS Executive Group. Applicants being considered for shortlisting for this role will be asked by CS Executive Group to complete a formal selection criteria document.

 

Applications close 11th September 2022

 

THANK YOU

We would like to thank you for taking the time to apply for this role. Please note, you are welcome to call Helen or Jovana to discuss your application. If unsuccessful, you will be offered the opportunity to remain on our recruitment database to be considered for future suitable roles.

 

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