Closing Date: 23/Feb/2018
ID: 8525, Biosciences Research Centre, VIC, Australia
Position Description
INDEPENDENT CHAIRPERSON
BIOSCIENCES RESEARCH CENTRE JOINT VENTURE
The Biosciences Research Centre (BRC), known as AgriBio, is a world-class centre for agricultural biosciences research. Established in 2008 as the result of a Joint Venture between the State of Victoria and La Trobe University, AgriBio is a $230 million Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, located on site at La Trobe University, which aims to deliver internationally recognised research and development outcomes for the benefit of Victoria. The Joint Venture aims to ensure the Project Agreement with the private sector consortium, Plenary Research Pty Ltd, which designed, constructed, commissioned and now operates and maintains AgriBio, is properly managed through to contract completion in August 2036.
The Joint Venture Board comprises an independent Chairperson and three members from the State and three members from La Trobe University. We are seeking expressions of interest from those who may have an interest in and are suitably qualified for the position of Chairperson. The independent Chairperson is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture and the La Trobe University Council upon the nomination of the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources and the Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University.
In general terms, the independent Chairperson will provide independent and impartial leadership to the Joint Venture and guide Board members to deliver superior scientific and commercial outcomes for AgriBio that help the facility to achieve participant research goals. In particular, the Chairperson will be responsible for managing the Joint Venture relationship between the State and La Trobe University for AgriBio, setting long term strategies and policies to clarify the strategic and operational directions for the facility and contributing to the development and implementation of the complex long-term contractual framework in order to optimise the benefits to the Joint Venture of the PPP contractual arrangements during the operational term of the Project Agreement.
To be successful in this role, candidates must have demonstrated experience or capacity as a Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson with governance skills, extensive and diverse scientific and/or commercial experience knowledge and expertise in PPP contract management. Other criteria include the ability to work collaboratively with government and the University and to respond to Ministerial and University requests. A knowledge and understanding of scientific endeavour on a large scale or experience with government or universities would be advantageous, as would a background in science, finance and investment, accounting, business development and/or law.
About The Organisation
The Biosciences Research Centre (BRC), known as AgriBio, is a world-class centre for agricultural biosciences research. Established in 2008 as the result of a Joint Venture between the State of Victoria and La Trobe University, AgriBio is a $230 million Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, located on site at La Trobe University, which aims to deliver internationally recognised research and development outcomes for the benefit of Victoria. The Joint Venture aims to ensure the Project Agreement with the private sector consortium, Plenary Research Pty Ltd, which designed, constructed, commissioned and now operates and maintains AgriBio, is properly managed through to contract completion in August 2036.
Selection Criteria
Demonstrated experience as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson
Extensive and diverse scientific and/or commercial experience, Knowledge and expertise in PPP contract management
