Assistant Director, Regional Planning

EL 1 - $115,663 - $124,403 per annum plus superannuation
- Nature Positive Integration Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _The Regional Planning and Landscapes Branch is a new branch that brings together the government’s policies and initiatives to promote nature conservation at the level of landscapes and bioregions._
- _The branch is requires a data specialist to inform for policy development on regional planning, protected and conserved areas, and forests._

**Who we are**
The Nature Positive Integration Division delivers strategic policy with a sole focus on the environment, providing governance, high-level policy oversight and program delivery by implementing the Nature Positive Plan as part of the EPBC Act reform. The Division consists of three branches including Regional Planning and Landscapes, Environmental Policy and National Heritage Trust.

The Regional Planning and Landscapes Branch is a new branch that brings together the government’s policies and initiatives to promote conservation at the landscape level. The branch is responsible for policy on regional planning, protected and conserved areas and the intersection between forestry and the environment. We develop and deliver landscape-scale conservation initiatives, such as Indigenous Protected Areas and regional plans, and we contribute to the implementation of Regional Forest Agreements.

The Regional Planning Initiative Section is responsible for the Australian Government’s commitment to delivering nature positive outcomes at a landscape scale through regional planning. This is a key commitment under the Nature Positive Plan, released by the Australian Government in response to the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

To enable better and faster decision-making under the EPBC Act, regional plans will provide clear guidance on areas for protection, which areas are appropriate for development and which areas need caution. The section operates in a dynamic environment that responds directly to the concerns and priorities of the present political landscape. We are currently working in partnership with states and territories to establish an initial set of regional plans. The development of regional plans is a highly collaborative process that requires working with a variety of stakeholders including the local community, all levels of government, business, natural resource management organisations, environmental NGOs, First Nations people, and technical experts.

**The Job**
The Assistant Director, Regional Planning (Data Specialist) plays a key role in ensuring the Regional Planning Initiative Section has an effective data capability.

As the Program Data Lead, you will be responsible for developing a program level geospatial data function. The key duties and responsibilities include:

- Scoping data needs, availability and gaps.
- Establishing data sharing arrangements and performing data brokerage services.
- Assessing and comparing available analytic tools and models for applicability to the development of regional plans.
- Establishing and managing data sharing agreements, with the support of the department’s data division.
- Generating data policy, methods, and compliance with relevant regulations and policies.
- Providing recommended methodology for establishing baselines and developing indicators and measures to monitor, evaluate and report on progress against outcomes; this includes setting minimum data standards, consistent with national policies.
- Building a working relationship with the new Environment Information Australia.
- Supporting the regional planning teams in the development of regional plans.
- Representing the regional planning program with data stakeholders.
- Being the central data coordination point for regional planning.
- Undertaking ad hoc GIS work, as necessary and with support from the data division.
- Working with business analysts and service architects to identify data needs for a digital tool for implementing regional plans.

**What we are looking for**

Knowledge and experience
- Demonstrated ability to manage and develop people and build collaborative high performing teams.
- Strong conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to assess complex information and broader contextual factors to develop innovative, sustainable solutions.
- Highly developed workplace communication skills including the ability to engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and convey clear and concise information to non-technical audiences.
- Experience in contract management, procurement, project management, or policy development is desirable.

Skills and Capabilities
- Ability to lead a small team and work independently to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an attention to detail.
- Ability to successfully manage and deliver complex projects or work programs.
- Excellent str