Job Description

Duties

Work Environment
The Export Standards Branch works to maintain, improve and establish new market access for meat, fish, dairy, eggs, animal by-products and other goods by negotiating agreed conditions of trade. It also assists with the clearance of distressed consignments, hosts foreign government delegations during in-country audits and reviews, 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 policy oversight. The Australian Codex Alimentarius Contact Point and the SAFEMEAT Secretariat are located in this branch.

The Meat Market Access Section works with trading partners, Australian exporters and relevant areas of the department to maintain, improve and establish new technical market access conditions for meat, fish, dairy, eggs, animal by-products and other goods. The section also works closely with exporters, Australian embassy staff and the department’s Agricultural Counsellor network to clear distressed consignments, and to arrange audits of the Australian export system and animal product export establishments by foreign government delegations.

The Jobs
Meat Market Access Directors are responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction and management of the work of a section, which may cover a group of commodities or a group of markets. The duties of the role include:
• maintaining and expanding market access and improving technical conditions for Australian exporters
• preparing and managing technical submissions for market access requests made by the Australian government, Australian industry representatives and exporters and foreign governments
• liaising, negotiating and effectively communicating with government agencies, industry representative bodies, foreign governments and other internal and external stakeholders on importing country requirements and technical market access issues
• representing the Australian Government in domestic and international fora on technical and regulatory issues relating to sanitary and technical trade barriers that limit the competitiveness of Australian exporters
• representing the department on committees and in negotiations/discussions with stakeholders
• providing advice and support to the Senior Executive and Minister’s Office
• contributing to corporate activities including overseeing the section’s budget, instructional material and staffing activities
• managing the work of a team and supporting staff.

Please note 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
It is highly desirable that applicants possess one or more of the following:
• negotiating technical issues and conditions associated with the trade in animal products at national and international level
• knowledge of Australian agricultural systems and export supply chains, for one or more of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, animal by-products and other goods
• experience in establishing and maintaining constructive working relationships with peak industry bodies, major exporters and associated representatives
• experience in international food safety regulation, trade and supply chain systems, in particular for animal products
• experience in the trade and cultural environments of one of more regions of the world that are significant destinations for Australian agricultural exports

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: Anna Somerville, (02) 6272 5954

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