Policy Officer

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Plant and Live Animal Exports, Animal Welfare and Regulation Division
- Canberra, ACT

**Who we are**
**The Grain and Seed Exports Program's (GSEP)** primary role is to add value to export grain and plant products and promote both market access and market advantage. This is achieved by providing independent export inspection and certification services to the grains, seeds, cotton, forest products, hay, stockfeed and related products industries, consistent with the importing country's quarantine needs and Australia's obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention. To underpin these functions the program is involved in the export certification of products ranging from bulk grain in ships or containers through to the certification of hay, timber, logs, wood chips, raw cotton, seeds for sowing and small seed lots for research. Other key roles involve assessment and publishing of import conditions for Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) cases, and assessment and update of instructional materials for Authorised Officers to undertake phytosanitary sampling and assessment. GSEP supports the export of grain and plant products (excluding fresh produce) to meet importing country phytosanitary import requirements, Australia’s export legislation and international standards. GSEP promotes market access, market improvement and market advantage to enhance Australia’s export capacity through establishing and maintaining export systems that support valid and credible phytosanitary and other export certification providing independent export inspections and certification services providing services that are consistent with the importing country’s quarantine needs, ensuring Australia’s obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention are upheld, engaging and consulting internal stakeholders, and export grain and plant product industries.
- Protect Australia's reputation as a supplier of premium quality produce that meet the highest phytosanitary standards.
- Facilitating trade to help Australian agricultural exports in the global market.
- Work in a dynamic environment and meet operational trade issues head-on.

**The Job**
The duties will include but not limited to the following:

- Provide expert advice on grain and other plant products export phytosanitary certification, operational policy and related issues including instructional material, training and assessment plans.
- Proactively engaging and collaborating with a range of internal and external stakeholders including departmental staff, industry, trading partners, and other government agencies to facilitate cooperation and achieve outcomes.
- Influence positive behaviours and team culture.
- Prepare written communication products for distribution to internal and external stakeholders.
- Represent the program at relevant forums with stakeholders.
- Establish solutions to complex problems for internal and external stakeholders including assistance with certification issues with importing countries and detained consignments.
- Strategic planning and policy design to bring together diverse views and deliver on short and long-term objectives.
- Contribute to the development of trade policy reform initiatives.

**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**
- Demonstrated operational program experience.
- Experience with or a sound understanding of Australia's agricultural export operational systems.
- Demonstrated experience in agriculture, other plant related activities, and work, health and safety in an operational or regulatory environment are highly regard.
- Knowledge of, or experience working on national export phytosanitary issues.