Assistant Director

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Animal Division
- Canberra, ACT
- These are exciting roles where appointees will have the opportunity to assess new animal therapeutic technologies and help regulate veterinary medicines imported into Australia. You will have a direct positive impact on Australia’s production animal industries by facilitating access to new products that help control herd/flock diseases. You will also help improve health outcomes for Australia’s companion animals, thereby improving quality of life for pets and their owners._

**Who we are**
We are people of diverse skills and backgrounds, forming a critical part of Australia’s national biosecurity system. We are science-based regulators, using evidence to inform our decisions, and advise Australian government and industry. We provide a flexible, stable and rewarding workplace where cooperation and communication are at the forefront of everything we do. We are an inclusive, respectful workplace with a culture that encourages connections with colleagues and work-life balance. We enable and manage the safe trade in terrestrial and aquatic animals, reproductive materials, animal and biological products. We protect, maintain and improve animal and marine health for Australia. Our work brings both opportunities and challenges by operating in an environment of changing biosecurity risks due to patterns of global trade, climate change and the emergence of new diseases, as well as trade, legal and regulatory risks.

We implement biosecurity policies to allow for the safe movement of animals, biological products (including veterinary vaccines, veterinary therapeutic products) and genetic materials into Australia. The activities of the branch include:

- Providing technical advice to departmental staff, importers and other stakeholders.
- Developing and publishing import conditions, instructional material and other guidance documents.

**The Job**
As an Assistant Director, the duties of the roles include, but are not limited to:

- Lead and manage a team, coordinate workload relating to different priorities, cultivating a strong, collaborative team environment.
- Communicate with stakeholders, both domestic and international, including representing the department in relevant forums through their ability to engage effectively with a variety of audience. Applicants must be able to convey complex technical information in clear and concise manner.
- Analyse technical veterinary and scientific information to develop outcomes and solutions to issues, including the establishment of conditions for import permits by implementing departmental policies, practices and procedures and preparation of accurate, complex reports in a government context.
- Assessing offshore risks through audits of overseas manufacturing facilities.

**Please note **that the merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What are we looking for**
Knowledge and experience
Knowledge of:

- Production of veterinary vaccines and medicines
- Australia’s animal health system and/or Australia’s biosecurity system
- Animal pests and diseases affecting Australia’s animal health status and import/export trade in animals and animal products
- Legislative frameworks, government decision-making and regulation

Experience in:

- Leading and managing teams and competing priorities
- Technical and analytical evaluations including science-based risk assessments
- Audit of quality management system to meet biosecurity requirements
- Working with and effectively communicating with a range of stakeholders
- Setting priorities and delivering work programs and projects within agreed time and quality expectations
- Managing administrative and general business of government responsibilities

**Mandatory qualifications**
- For the Assistant Director position, it would be advantageous to have a university degree or equivalent qualification in microbiology, immunology or virology.