Program Manager

EL 2 - $136,118 - $158,149 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
- Canberra, ACT

**Who we are**
The **Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD)** safeguards Australia’s plant health status to achieve, maintain and expand overseas markets, while protecting the economy and environment. The division includes four branches, which together focus on providing scientific analysis and technical advice, facilitating the safe importation of plants and plant products, improving systems, market access, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The division provides diagnostics, with advice on biosecurity risk and measures, and biosecurity training. The division conducts surveillance and response at first points of entry and approved arrangements sites nationally, and delivers plant, animal and aquatic health surveillance in northern Australia. The division works closely with communities and Indigenous rangers and regulates biosecurity risk in the Torres Strait.

The **Hitchhiker Working Group (HWG)** has been tasked with developing a stronger biosecurity system to protect Australia from hitchhiker pests in containers and goods and to do this collaboratively across the Biosecurity and Compliance Group. The vision of the group is to systematically address the risk of hitchhiker pests associated with sea containers through expanded use of offshore controls, targeted onshore risk intervention and surveillance, and partnerships with industry, governments and the research sector.

The **Hitchhiker Project Management Office (HPMO)** leads, supports, enables and coordinates the teams across the HWG to deliver projects in support of the group’s vision. All divisions within the Biosecurity and Compliance group play a role in delivery of projects under the program. The HPMO also supports the management of change to be delivered under the program and collaborates with other change management groups across the department. The HPMO reports on progress to two boards - the Hitchhiker Reform Board and the Biosecurity and Compliance Group Board.

**The Job**
**One position is available**:
The Program Manager in the HPMO is responsible for the successful day-to-day leadership of the projects in the HWG, supported by a small team. This includes project management support and secretariat support. The Program Manager also provides strategic guidance to teams and project managers to promote the longer-term objectives of the HWG; and monitors and reports to the Boards on the progress of projects to deliver the outcomes of the Program.

Duties of the position includes but is not limited to:

- Mentoring and developing team members and fostering a collaborative team culture.
- Developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships, including with board members and project managers.
- Mentoring and supporting project managers in the development, monitoring, reporting and execution of program and project plans to achieve strategic objectives.
- Implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving governance settings and control mechanisms to ensure accountability and delivery of objectives.
- Supporting the design of portfolio frameworks and divisional programs and projects.
- Supporting new policy proposals and conducting capability assessments and health checks.
- Supporting business planning, performance reviews and risk management processes.
- Managing human resources.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
We are seeking applicants with some or all of the following:

- Experience in developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships to achieve positive outcomes.
- Proven experience as a Program Manager/Director or other managerial position in Biosecurity or related discipline.
- Thorough understanding of project/program management techniques and methods.
- Excellent knowledge of performance evaluation and change management principles.
- Excellent knowledge of MS Office; working knowledge of program/project management software (MS Project etc.) is a strong advantage.

**Desirable qualifications**
Relevant qualifications in program and / or project management.