The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) was established to ensure Victoria's strong economic performance by growing industries and regions. Here at DJPR, we're making sure Victoria's economy benefits all Victorians by creating more jobs for more people, building thriving places and regions and nurturing inclusive communities.

Our work supports a range of diverse portfolios and operates across metropolitan, regional and international offices. We also oversee various public entities, including public corporations, regulatory authorities and specialist boards.

The Department strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and offers reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Our values are accountability, integrity and respect, and underpin everything we do.

Head, Agriculture Victoria Research

• Lead a diverse and talented team delivering high-impact and outcome focused science
• Deliver innovative solutions that tackle the current and emerging challenges/opportunities in agriculture sector
• Drive impact through partnerships with industry, Government, Australian & International innovation networks
• Principal Scientist (PS2), Fixed term up to Three (3) Years

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) is seeking to appoint a Head, Agriculture Victoria Research to be based in Bundoora within the Agriculture Group. You will work with industry and community stakeholders to support the agriculture, food and fibre sector to become more globally competitive, innovative and resilient. DJPR was established to ensure Victoria's strong economic performance by growing industries and regions.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, Agriculture Victoria, the Head - Agriculture Research is responsible for developing and delivering long term science and technology capability, services and management processes and strategy as well as business cases for investment in research and innovation in Victoria that supports agriculture businesses to transform practices which drive sustainable growth and minimise adverse impacts to the economy, environment and public health and safety.

The Agriculture Victoria Research Branch represents DJPR's agricultural research and development function. Agriculture R&D is delivered via an ‘innovation ecosystem' that converges government, industry/agribusiness and academia/knowledge centres into clustered and collaborative networks, with a clear focus on science and technology for productivity and biosecurity outcomes. It delivers a continuity of research and development activities across DJPR's priority areas while also elevating the importance of agricultural R&D in DJPR.

As the Head, Agriculture Victoria Research Branch, you will coordinate an inter- and trans- disciplinary program of research across multiple sites and facilities, including smart farms and the AgriBio Research Centre.

You will be an impact driven, entrepreneurial and collaborative science and people leader who can develop and manage an exciting portfolio of science across several application domains and promote collaboration across the Agriculture Victoria Group and with a broad range of external partners to bring the best capability together to address the needs of the Victorian agriculture sector.

The Department's values are accountability, integrity and respect, and underpin everything they do.

Your duties will include:

• Impact Science Leadership: Provide leadership to generate excellent science to create impact on the economy and environment; set the R&D strategy; lead a portfolio of research projects to deliver capability & IP to the Victorian government, customers & stakeholders; influence and collaborate across the organisation and the greater innovation system.
• Engagement & Partnerships: Build strategic relationships with national and international stakeholders; communicate effectively and respectfully with staff, customers and partners in the interest of good practice, collaboration, and enhancing Agriculture Victoria's reputation.
• Capability Leadership: Build and support research capability and professional development of scientists; attract, develop and support world class talent; resource planning; build effective teams aligned with the science platform; promote a healthy, safe and environmentally sustainable workplace.
• Resource Leadership: Lead and manage financial resources, people, infrastructure and other assets; ensure effective management of physical infrastructure and resources in an environmentally sustainable way; ensure best practice governance, and management of commercial activities and intellectual property.

To be considered for this important appointment you will have:

1. Relevant post graduate qualifications; and be a senior executive with a proven record of management in a large and complex scientific organisation.
2. Demonstrated record of achievement at an executive or senior management level dealing with complex science delivery issues and project or program delivery.
3. Extensive experience in leading the development of research programs and developing innovative solutions capable of achieving outcomes in a complex and dynamic operating environment.
4. Highly developed analytical, conceptual and critical thinking skills and a demonstrated record of achievement in the agriculture sector.
5. Capacity to work flexibly with a diverse range of stakeholders with the ability to build and maintain partnerships and contribute at a senior level in a complex operating environment.
6. Advanced interpersonal, written and oral communication skills and a proven ability to influence outcomes at a strategic and project or program level.
7. Extensive experience and demonstrated capability to influence and negotiate with industry, and scientific organisations surrounding research outcomes and delivery with an outstanding track record of achievement in commercialisation and intellectual property management at senior management level in a research organisation or industry.

How to Apply

Enquiries about this position and requests for the Position Description should be directed to Terri Ward at Towardco on 0447 667 439 or email Terri@towardco.com who are supporting the Department with this recruitment process.

APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO TERRI WARD 

As part of their application, candidates are requested to provide the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter – outlining the motivation and relevant capabilities and experience you could bring to this role.  This document should not be longer than two pages.
• Contact details for three Referees – Referees will only be contacted after prior consultation with the candidate. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that their referees are willing to provide reports when contacted by Agriculture Victoria.
• Date of commencement – an indication of the earliest date on which you could commence in the position.

Applicants will be required to comply with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Region's (department's) COVID-19 Vaccination requirements, in line with the Chief Health Officer (CHO) Directions and any other legislative requirements, directions, policies or procedures, including but not limited to any requirement to provide evidence of vaccination status.

Applications close midnight on Monday, 19 September 2022.