Assistant Director

EL 1 - $112,294 - $120,780 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _Work with high performing, friendly and motivated team _
- _Leverage your passion for biosecurity to deliver high quality policy and communications products_

**Who we are**
Biosecurity Operations Division delivers nationally-integrated biosecurity and export regulatory activities, with a focus on effectively managing biosecurity and export certification risks. The division is a key contributor to the development of biosecurity and export certification policies. The division spans a range of regulatory activities that plays a critical role in reducing risk and shaping our nation to become one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world’s most severe pests and diseases.

The Pathway Policy, Cargo and Conveyances Branch is accountable for determining, developing, and enabling the strategies, regulatory frameworks, tactics and interventions that manage biosecurity and other risk within the traveller and trade pathways into Australia. This branch brings together how the department detects, identifies and responds to biosecurity risk and non-compliance. This includes surveillance and verification tools, and detection capabilities such as detector dog teams and x-rays.

This position is based in the Detection Capability and Emerging Technology Section. The section works closely with internal and external stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of border risk screening by providing detection capability across the mail, traveller and cargo pathways. The section is responsible for the development and management of the detector dog program, 2D and 3D x-ray capability and for the delivery of highly innovative detection capability projects through the BOD Emerging Technology Program.

**The Job**
The Detection Capability team has a vacancy for an Assistant Director, Policy and Communications. Reporting to the Director, Detection Capability, the role will lead the Policy and Communications team to:

- develop communications products and reports, including audio-visual products, to support detector dog and detection technology programs and innovation projects,
- undertake program and policy management activities for detector dogs and x-rays,
- develop communications strategies and products to support detector dog and detection technology programs and projects,
- draft Ministerial and departmental correspondence, briefings, decision minutes and reports,
- provide policy and administrative support for the section’s research and development activities.

**Skills and capabilities**
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to lead a small team to deliver high quality outputs within required timeframes
- Ability to effectively prioritise deliverables and maintain momentum through organisational change
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to effectively influence positive outcomes
- Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

**Knowledge and experience**
- Team leadership experience is essential.
- Policy writing and communications experience is highly desirable.
- An understanding of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry systems and familiarity with the biosecurity regulatory environment is desirable.

**Eligibility**

**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.