Executive Level 1- Policy Officer

**Job Reference Number **23-OGTROGTRDIV-16332

**Classification **Executive_Level1

**Job Title **Policy Officer

**Division **Office of Gene Tech Regulator Division

**Branch **Regulatory Practice and Compliance Branch

**Section **Gene Scheme Review Team Section

**Location **Woden, ACT

**Status **Ongoing

**Employment type **Full-time & Part-time

**Salary Range **$108,680 - $123,951

**Security Clearance **Baseline

**Desirable Qualifications **A tertiary qualification in science or law, relevant to the
regulation of genetically modified organisms, would be highly
desirable.

**Contact Officer Name**:Louisa Matthew
**Phone**:(02) 6289 1490

**Eligibility**
- To be eligible for employment with the Department of Health and Aged Care

applicants must be an Australian citizen at the time an offer of employment is made
- An applicant’s suitability for employment with Health will also be assessed through a

variety of pre-employment check processes, such as:

- Satisfactory completion of an Australian Federal Police criminal history

check, and where relevant a Working with Children and Vulnerable
People Check.
- Completion of a medical declaration and pre-employment medical (where

required).
- Providing evidence of qualifications.

**Division Responsibilities**

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), established within the Department of

Health and Aged Care, provides support to the Gene Technology Regulator in the

performance of their functions under the _Gene Technology Act 2000_. The Act provides a

national scheme for the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Australia, in

order to protect the health and safety of Australians and the Australian environment.

**Branch Responsibilities**

The Regulatory Practice & Compliance Branch is responsible for OGTR’s enforcement and

compliance activities, corporate business services, international cooperation, expert

advisory committees, operational policy and legal arrangements.

**Section Responsibilities**

The Regulatory Practice Section provides operational policy, information and coordination

support for the OGTR. The section is responsible for liaison and coordination with Australian

Government agencies and other national and international organisations involved with

regulating genetically modified organisms. It provides secretariat support to the two expert

advisory committees: the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee

and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee.***

**Key Responsibilities**

We seek an experienced EL1 with a regulatory, scientific and/or legal background to lead

OGTR's work to implement recommendations of the Third Review of the National Gene

Technology Scheme, including legislative and administrative reforms. Strong liaison and

communication skills are essential as this position involves working closely with all sections

of OGTR and with the Gene Technology Policy and Governance Section.
- Lead OGTR’s contribution to implementing recommendations of the Third Review of

the National Gene Technology Scheme, including legislative and administrative

reforms

support ongoing operational policy development relating to the regulation of GMOs
- Prepare complex documents including reports, agenda papers, ministerial

submissions and briefings
- Initiate and undertake research, analysis and problem solving on complex issues to

support and contribute to the work of the Office
- Represent the Office in liaison and engagement with external stakeholders, such as

other government agencies, representatives of research institutions and industry,

international bodies and members of the public
- Manage staff and coordinate with legal advisors and consultants
- Provide support to the Director of the work unit and to the Gene Technology

Regulator.***

**Key Capabilities**
- Good written communication skills, in particular the ability to write clearly and

concisely about complex matters, including to general audiences on technical
- Ability to work to tight deadlines and respond quickly to changing priorities
- Strong research and analysis skills, including getting across technical scientific and/or
- Well-developed liaison, interpersonal and oral communication skills
- An ability to quickly become familiar with the gene technology legislation and gain

understanding of the legislative process.

**Minimum Requirements**

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and

also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment. All vacancies for

the Department of Health and Aged Care are advertised under the RecruitAbility Scheme.

Job applicants with disability who:

- opt into the scheme
- declare they have disability, and
- meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised under the scheme

are advanced to a further stage in the selection process.
More information on RecruitAbility can be found here: Recrui