Assistant Director

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
- AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry & Engagement Division
- Canberra, ACT
- Work in a motivated and professional team with a wide range of skill sets and backgrounds.
- Advise on and develop Australia's policy on the regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
- City based location with flexible work options.

**Who we are**
The Agvet Chemicals and Forestry Branch provides policy advice and develops programs to support Australia's sustainable and globally competitive forestry industries. We also work to improve existing regulation of agvet chemicals and contribute to both international and domestic forestry and agvet policy. The branch works with a wide range of stakeholders from industry, community, state governments, other Commonwealth agencies, foreign trading partners, likeminded global partners, and multilateral organisations. We:

- Develop policies that ensure our forestry industry remains competitive and sustainable to deliver products all Australians use.
- Provide advice and support to the department’s executive and Minister on forestry and agvet chemical issues.
- Are responsible for initiating actions to combat illegal logging and its associated trade.
- Develop and implement governmental responses to independent reviews.

The Agvet Chemicals Policy section provides policy advice and development on the regulation of agvet chemicals for supply in Australia, to ensure registered chemicals are efficacious, safe for humans, animals and the environment, and pose no risk to trade. The section also manages the Improved Access to Agvet Chemicals (Minor use) grants program. In addition, the section leads the department's international engagement on agvet chemicals matters, including advocating internationally for the appropriate and responsible use of agvet chemicals. The section also manages the permit system for import of controlled chemicals.

**The Job**
You will support the Director in leadership of the section and assist the section to deliver on its core functions. Your role may include:

- Interpreting and advising on agvet chemicals legislation and policy frameworks and Australian Government support mechanisms under these frameworks.
- Developing evidence-based policy options.
- Undertaking research and analysis to inform policy development for stakeholder consideration and government approval.
- Undertaking objective, critical analysis of complex issues, considering the implications for key stakeholders, presenting logical arguments and drawing accurate conclusions.
- Preparing ministerial briefing and correspondence.
- Providing a range of other written and verbal advice on matters relating to agvet chemicals policy.
- Undertake grants program management activities.
- Supporting Australia's international engagement on agvet chemicals matters, including representing DAFF at international forums.
- Interacting with stakeholders (departmental and ministerial staff, officers from other Australian Government agencies, chemical industry members, research and development corporations, State and Territory Governments and First Nations people) on issues regarding agvet chemicals policies.
- Supervising staff.

**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**
Essential: We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience in:

- Policy advice and development.
- Communicating complex and technical information in plain English, including developing briefings.
- Building effective relationships with stakeholders within and beyond government to help deliver on priorities.

Highly desirable: The following would be well regarded:

- Knowledge and/or experience in agricultural or regulatory policy areas.
- Experience in developing new policy proposals and regulation impact statements and/or an understanding of government processes.
- Knowledge of chemical regulation, chemical product manufacture/use and/or agriculture.
- International policy experience, including experience in international meetings and processes, and reviewing international texts.
- Experience supervising/managing/developing staff.