Executive Assistant

APS 5 - $78,548 - $86,168 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Strategy & Reform Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _As an APS 5 Executive Assistant you will play an important role in supporting a First Assistant Secretary to ensure their divisional work priorities are achieved in a timely manner._
- _You will be the first point of contact for all business activities undertaken by the First Assistant Secretary, you will coordinate and manage the First Assistant Secretary’s office and be accountable for organising your workload and undertaking complex administrative support work._
- _You will also undertake a broad range of corporate and administrative support functions across the division. While your role will be to support a First Assistant Secretary, there may be a possibility that you will also provide support to an Assistant Secretary._

**Who we are**
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (the department) work to enhance our agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. We create new and maintain existing agricultural export opportunities, to provide gains for Australian agriculture. We manage biosecurity risks to Australia to protect our multi-billion dollar agricultural industries and our way of life The role of the Biosecurity and Compliance Group includes operational, policy and science aspects of biosecurity, as well as departmental compliance and enforcement matters.

Please note that this recruitment process will be used to fill multiple Executive Assistant vacancies across the Biosecurity and Compliance Group.

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 where the duties are of a similar nature.

**The Job**
Key duties may include:

- providing high level administrative and coordination support, including managing and organising meetings, briefings and events and anticipating and managing competing commitments,
- preparing responses to routine and more complex matters, coordinating divisional responses, tracking ministerial workflow, collation and follow up of information and tracking of work to ensure deadlines are met,
- administering finance support including advising, arranging and reconciling travel in line with the department’s travel policy for Senior Executives,
- undertaking quality control of all incoming and outgoing documentation,
- developing and maintaining professional relationships with various stakeholders at all levels across the department, the Minister’s Office, other senior government officials and external organisations,
- mentoring less experienced Executive Assistants, using your experience to provide coaching and guidance to build capability,
- undertaking a broad range of corporate and administrative support functions across the division. While your role will be to support a First Assistant Secretary, there may be a possibility that you will also provide support to an Assistant Secretary.

**Skills and capabilities**
The successful applicants will possess:

- high-level administrative support skills and strong communication skills
- well-developed organisational skills with the ability to respond effectively and quickly to stakeholders
- a well-developed understanding of, and compliance with, relevant legislative frameworks
- the ability to gather information, problem solve and use good judgement
- the ability to work collaboratively and respond positively to managing changing priorities
- the ability to work as an effective and supportive team member
- the ability to display a high level of professionalism and champion the behaviours in line with the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicants will have:

- demonstrated experience working as a senior Executive Assistant in either the public or private sector
- well-developed experience in stakeholder management.

**Eligibility and other requirements**

**Citizenship** - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry you must be an Australian citizen.

**Security Clearance**:

- This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

**Pre-employment Check** - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.