Executive Assistant

APS 5 - $78,548 - $86,168 per annum plus superannuation
- AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry & Engagement Division
- Canberra, ACT

**Who we are**
**The AgVet Chemicals, Fisheries and Forestry Division** (AFFD) works with the states, territories, industry and other stakeholders - including the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and Australian Fisheries Management Authority - to develop and implement policies and programs to support Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries to promote better resource management and sustainability, and increase productivity and innovation.

**The Agricultural Policy Division** (APD) shapes policy settings and manages programs that support the growth of Australia’s agriculture sector and make it more globally competitive and profitable. APD influences across boundaries, collaborating across government to guide solutions on cross-cutting issues and partnering with others, including industry and unions, to strengthen the sector and unlock further productivity growth. We lead policy development and provide advice on critical and emerging issues, develop and administer grant programs to support a stronger sector, and drive reforms to improve outcomes for industry, including modernising the legislation that underpins industry and government co-investment in key priorities.

**The Sustainability, Climate and Strategy Division** (SCSD) brings together a suite of policy and program functions supporting a climate-smart, sustainable agriculture sector in Australia. SCSD develops evidenced-based climate policy and advice to support emissions reduction and climate adaptation programs. We shape and influence policies across the Commonwealth that impact land use change and climate-smart practices on-farm and ensure the sector is ideally placed in the broader Net Zero planning and reforms. SCSD is responsible for delivering key government programs supporting sustainable practices and agricultural productivity, including the $302 million Natural Heritage Trust Program and $20 million Soil Partnership initiative.

**The Jobs**
As an APS 5 Executive Assistant you will play an important role in supporting a First Assistant Secretary to ensure their divisional work priorities are achieved in a timely manner. You will coordinate and manage all business aspects of the First Assistant Secretary’s office and be accountable for organising your workload and undertaking complex administrative support work.

Key duties may include:

- providing high level administrative and coordination support, including managing and organising meetings, briefings and events and anticipating and managing competing commitments
- preparing responses to routine and more complex matters, coordinating divisional responses, tracking ministerial workflow, collation and follow up of information and tracking of work to ensure deadlines are met
- administering finance support including advising, arranging and reconciling travel in line with the department’s travel policy for Senior Executives
- undertaking quality control of all incoming and outgoing documentation
- developing and maintaining professional relationships with various stakeholders at all levels across the department, the Minister’s Office, other senior government officials and external organisations
- mentoring developing Executive Assistants, using your experience to provide coaching and guidance to build capability
- undertaking a broad range of corporate and administrative support functions across the division.

While your role will be to support a First Assistant Secretary, there may be a possibility that you will also provide support to an Assistant Secretary.

**Please note** that this recruitment process will be used to fill 5 current vacancies in the Divisions listed above. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the department where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicants will have experience working in an Executive Assistant role in the APS, or a similar role for a large organisation.

**Eligibility**
The successful applicant must hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.