Executive Officer

**Acknowledgement of Country**:
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

**Child Safety**:
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

**The Opportunity**:

- **Broad coordination, communication and planning of strategic and operational priorities**:

- **Utilise your organisation, business acumen and influencing skills to deliver outcomes**:

- **Flexible work arrangements, mix of home and office**

CSIRO is Australia’s National Science Agency and is one of the world’s largest and most successful publicly funded research and development organisations. We deliver world-class science and outcome-focused research that generates economic, environmental, and social benefits for Australia in a global context. We have improved the lives of many around the world through our research and developments including BARLEYmax, WiFi, the Hendra virus vaccine, polymer banknotes, extended wear contact lenses, Aerogard and the Total Wellbeing Diet.

CSIRO Agriculture and Food (A&F) is Australia’s most significant science investment for its key primary production activities including cropping, meat and livestock, aquaculture, horticulture, food safety and processing, and value-adding. These industries underpin >$40B of food and fibre production, $97B of domestic food and beverage processing, and >$30B of agricultural exports per annum in Australia while providing stewardship for at least 60 per cent of the Australian landscape.

The Executive Officer - Research Operations is a key role to support the effective operation of the Agriculture and Food (A&F) Business Unit (BU) by providing high level oversight and coordination within the A&F Operations Program. The Operations Program supports the 700 A&F research staff by providing effective support and services at 20 sites across Australia. This includes operating five research farms, planning infrastructure development at A&F sites, supporting research operations through provision of services, managing site operating budgets, administration services, as well as providing regulatory support to enable research teams to comply with scientific regulations.

**Your duties will include**:

- Provide high level support and advice to the Research Operations Director (ROD) on issues and interactions with key stakeholders.
- Prioritise issues for the ROD’s attention and provide briefing notes/reports to facilitate effective action.
- Prepare and review correspondence, presentations and reports that deal with complex or sensitive matters. Coordinate reviews, responses to information requests, and reporting requirements.
- Identify emerging and unforseen issues requiring ROD intervention and develop appropriate responses, including recognising the need for change and initiating innovative solutions/proposals.
- Project manage sensitive or complex Business Unit Operations activities, including oversight of budgets and expenditure for the Business Unit’s sites and facilities.
- Maintain oversight of site operating expenditure against budgets.
- Plan and coordinate key Business Unit Operations meetings, workshops or other events.
- Liaise with stakeholders to determine their needs, tailor solutions to potentially conflicting requirements, and correct problems promptly and in a constructive manner.
- Liaise with and influence stakeholders to develop practices which support the Business Unit. Develop and maintain cross organisational networks to facilitate effective A&F operations.
- Coordinate Business Unit Operations compliance with CSIRO processes and governance requirements, and other applicable legislative requirements, oversee the Business Unit Operations risk management framework.
- Coordinate effective communication within the Business Unit Operations Program and the Business Unit and externally as required

**Location**: Canberra or Brisbane preferred. Other locations with a team presence may be considered.
**Salary**: AU$105k - AU$114k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
**Tenure**: Indefinite
**Reference**: 92850

**To be considered you will need**:

- A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent management/leadership experience.
- Demonstrated ability to use sound judgement, problem-solving and facilitation skills, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrated high level interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to liaise effectively with external stakeholders, negotiation and partnering skills and experience working in a team environment to share knowledge and build networks.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing complex demands; establish or renegotiate priorities; organise or re-assign tasks and meet