Policy Officers/technical Officers

APS 5 - $76,260 - $83,658 per annum plus superannuation
- Plant & Live Animal Exports Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _Exciting and fulfilling work at the heart of Australia’s agricultural interests, supporting animal welfare priorities, and helping to deliver a productive, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector._
- _Focussed, visionary and experienced leaders who provide encouragement and support, to enable you to develop your interests and expertise and to achieve your ambitions. _
- _The ability to work in an organisation that is committed to building a culture where difference is valued and respected, and where we work together and leverage the benefit of our diversity._

**Who we are**
The Live Animal Export Branch (LAEB) regulates the export of prescribed livestock, live animals and animal reproductive material in accordance with the
- Export Control Act 2020_ and the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. We deal with many different animals including cattle, buffalo, alpacas, dogs, cats, birds, zoo animals and aquatics such as coral. We ensure that animals leaving Australia meet the importing country requirements and their welfare is managed throughout the process. We are a team that works closely with others across the department and in other departments, as well as the export industry and other countries. We also work closely with the Animal Welfare Branch to develop legislation and standards, operational policies and guidelines, instructional material, technical training and reporting.

We are a motivated and professional branch with a wide variety of qualifications and backgrounds. We are a diverse group of people with extensive experiences and skills and come from a variety of backgrounds. We are technical and policy officers, veterinarians, scientists, lawyers, accountants, engagement and project officers and work from places located all around Australia. We value people with ideas, the ability to present them persuasively, and the drive and skill to see them adopted.

The LAEB is comprised of the following four sections:
The
**Operations and Independent Observer Deployment Section** undertakes operational duties relating to the export of live animals and reproductive material, through the assessment and approval of export documents and providing stakeholder advice. The section also includes Independent Observers and the administration staff who support them prior to, throughout & upon return from their voyages. Observers perform assurance activities and reporting relating to the implementation and effectiveness of exporter arrangements to manage the health and welfare of livestock exported by sea.

The

The
**Operations Policy Section** provides foundational support to the branch by developing policies, managing projects and networking with a range of stakeholders to deliver content that is evidence based. The team actively engages and collaborates with staff across the department, including the Animal Welfare Branch, to advise on the strategic direction of the branch and to inform policy development and implementation methods.

The
**Regulatory Performance Section** undertakes functions related to the performance of regulated entities and the adherence to live export regulations. Activities in this section include investigations into alleged non-compliance of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS), monitoring livestock voyage reporting, investigating notifiable mortality incidents, management of independent observer deployment arrangements and reporting, liaison with stakeholders to participate in market access discussions, overseeing the auditing of regulated entities and activities related to published reporting.

**The Jobs**

The duties of the roles include, but are not limited to:

- contributing to the development and implementation of live animal export policy, trade reform policy and regulation and assurance frameworks
- contributing to project work to support Ministerial priorities and strategic planning, bringing together diverse views and delivering on short and long-term objectives (including ensuring there is an efficient, effective and transparent regulatory environment)
- assisting with the project management approach to monitor consultation and implementation activities against key milestones
- undertaking data gathering and analysis (using relevant programs such as Microsoft Excel and Power BI) to show trends and build reports
- providing technical advice to other policy and operational areas within the division and the department
- engaging with stakeholders through various forums about complex, contentious and sensitive issues
- drafting Ministerial and departmental correspondence and briefings
- assisting with the development and maintenance of instructional material and training packages
- contributing to divisional capability and culture uplift.

In addition to the above duties, when working in the
**Operations and Independent Observer Deployment Section