• Emerging National Rural Issues
• Program Management - Research, Development, Extension
• Wagga Wagga preferred, flexible Sydney or Melbourne

The Company

AgriFutures is a statutory rural Research and Development Corporation (RDC), responsible for funding Research and Development (R&D) and related extension activity, on behalf of primary producers. They deliver programs that proactively address sector-level challenges and opportunities in Australian agriculture. This includes research, analysis and investment to inform national policy issues, tech innovation and adoption, to industry challenges that require widespread engagement across the sector. Their focus is on building a rich future for Australian rural industries and communities.

The Position

A unique opportunity is available for a curious and passionate individual to join a high-performing team and make their mark on Australian agriculture.

The Manager, National Rural issues will take ownership and accountability of the overarching priorities to future-proof Australian rural industries by Identifying, understanding, and responding to national challenges and to facilitating collaboration across sectors and organisations.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Rural Futures the role will work to manage and oversee a program of cutting-edge research and development projects responding to emerging issues in agriculture. The program contributes to delivering an evidence-base to inform national debate and underpin policy across food, forestry and fisheries.

The role is also responsible for managing the Emerging National Rural Issues Forum that engages RDCs, NFF, DAFF and AIA to co-design projects that respond to National Rural Issues.

In this role you will be managing a portfolio of investments, which includes:

• Initiating, developing and managing programs, securing cash & in-kind co-investment
• Taking the lead in the process of identifying emerging issues through horizon scanning
• Managing key stakeholder relationships with the National Farmers’ Federation, Research and Development Corporations, Council of RDCs, and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including facilitating the emerging issues forum
• Delivering Research, Development and Extension (RDE) projects to address NRI challenges and opportunities

You will be strongly engaged in communicating and extending the research outcomes from the portfolio. Agricultural issues of interest to the sector have included: trade and market access, biosecurity, carbon, community trust, sustainability, alternative energy, regional manufacturing, transport and connectivity.

The Person
 
To be successful in this manager role you will have:

• A passion driving change and ensuring a vibrant future for Australian agriculture.
• A curious and entrepreneurial approach, comfortable working in a less structured environment, creating ideas and distilling concepts
• Tertiary education in science, business management, policy, economics or related field
• Experience in rural research and development
• Program management skills with attention to detail
• Experience in delivering RDE outcome to end users
• Leadership, relationship management and communication skills
• Experience working in small teams

Come and join a growing organisation focussed on innovation with a broad portfolio of work, where you’ll enjoy taking ownership, increasing your visibility across industry.
Deliver topical programs which impact Ag industries regionally, helping to grow Australian rural communities.

For confidential enquiries and a copy of the Position Description, please phone Al Kellaway on 1300 380 701 or apply via rimfireresources.com.au