Job Description

Duties

Work Environment
The Export Standards Branch negotiates with trading partners to maintain, improve or develop market access for the export of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, animal by-products and non-prescribed goods. The branch negotiates and facilitates agreed conditions for market access, develops Australian positions on international standard setting for trade in food, delivers content for the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) and provides chemical residue and microbiological expertise, laboratory oversight and export meat performance monitoring. The branch operates in an environment that includes Australia’s export legislation, international trading agreements and standards for agricultural products, relevant Australian production systems and trading partners’ market access requirements. The branch services a range of internal and external stakeholders, including the Minister, industry bodies, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and members of the public.

The Jobs
The duties of the Assistant Director include:
• providing technical advice and reports to senior management related to market access issues including the potential impact of importing country requirements
• contributing to the development of technical submissions to support market access negotiations for food exports
• liaising, negotiating and communicating with government agencies, industry bodies, and other internal and external stakeholders in relation to importing country requirements and market access issues
• undertaking research and analysis to support technical market access submissions
• developing submissions and briefings for internal and external stakeholders on market access changes
• coordinating diverse stakeholder views and managing consultative committees
• representing the department in international bilateral meetings and forums
• managing and leading a small diverse team of policy and technical staff on a day-to-day basis.

Please note that this recruitment process will be used to fill current vacancies in the branch listed above. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of twelve months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

Knowledge and experience
• Knowledge or understanding of legislative frameworks, government decision-making and regulations around market access would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of Australian export legislation and agricultural trade industries is highly desirable.
• Experience managing and supporting staff.

Eligibility

Mandatory qualifications
To be considered for these positions you must have a degree in Veterinary Science or Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from an Australian University or equivalent veterinary qualification recognised in Australia. You must be fully registered, or eligible for full registration, with the relevant Australian state/territory veterinary board and you must maintain this registration whilst employed by the department.

Notes

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 see:http://www.apsc.gov.au/priorities/disability/recruitability.

About Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture develops and implements policies and programs to ensure Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable, and supports the sustainable and productive management and use of rivers and water resources. We have around 5000 staff working in offices, airports, mail centres, shipping ports, laboratories and abattoirs; located in regional centres, rural communities and capital cities.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and flexible workplace and actively encourage applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people that identify as LGBTI+.

The department supports inclusiveness and encourages all employees regardless of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation, or age to bring their authentic self to work to achieve their full potential.

To Apply

Position Contact: Dugald MacLachlan, (02) 6272 3183

Agency Recruitment Site: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/