Assistant Director

EL 1 - $112,294 - $120,780 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Adelaide, SA,Melbourne, VIC,Sydney, NSW
- _Executive leadership opportunity _
- _Work in a dynamic, exciting & challenging environment _
- _Drive key initiatives, business reform and innovation_

**Who we are**
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) works to protect Australia’s natural resources and helps develop strong agricultural industries. The Biosecurity Operations Division (BOD) takes a regulatory approach to the implementation of effective border controls to manage biosecurity threats. The division delivers its functions across defined pathways, including cargo, mail, conveyances, food, and travellers. Border controls include, but are not limited to inspection, assessment, policy setting, community engagement, and contact centre services.

Travellers, Mail and Detector Dog Operations Pathway is a branch within BOD. The pathway delivers regulatory screening and inspections of goods, at the border to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity requirements. Travellers, Mail and Detector Dog Operations Pathway works with policy and risk owners within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements, national standards, and a risk-based operating model. The pathway has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities.

**The Job**
The role of an Assistant Director is to provide leadership to support the achievement of regulatory outcomes in line with the department’s business plan and BOD strategic direction. The successful applicants will need to influence change, while contributing to business planning and decision-making processes. They will also be required to demonstrate innovative leadership, while providing support to and leading managers and teams in a regulatory environment. Responding to issues that arise outside of normal working hours may be required. Depending upon the role, duties may include all or some of the following:

- leading and taking responsibility for teams delivering regulatory services within geographically dispersed locations
- building capability of teams through coaching, performance feedback, conflict resolution and career development
- engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate cooperation
- undertaking strategic planning to meet business objectives in line with sound decision making
- effectively manage competing priorities including delivering on complex project outcomes
- managing and developing well-researched policy and complex policy advice preparing reports, briefing papers, Ministerial correspondence and discussion papers
- promoting the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
- fostering a culture of safety, diversity, inclusiveness, positive attendance and high performance.

**Skills and capabilities**
- The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following skills and capabilities:

- Stakeholder relationship skills and the ability to work collaboratively with business representatives, departmental senior executive and government agencies to design and deliver contemporary, professional and efficient outcomes.
- Professionally communicate to a range of different people in a regulatory environment.
- Work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team and with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Gather, understand and interpret complex technical information, problem solve complex issues and make a judgement on the next course of action, particularly as it relates to the interpretation of legislation, regulations and guidelines.
- Prioritise tasks, adapt to changing priorities and make effective use of individual and team capabilities to ensure delivery standards are met.
- Facilitate and support a positive team environment and create a dynamic, flexible and collegiate workplace.

**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicant will have:

- experience in leading, managing and supporting staff to work collaboratively in a challenging, complex and fast paced operational environment
- knowledge or an understanding of the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations including knowledge of relevant legislation
- experience in implementing change and managing ambiguity in the workplace
- experience in the effective coaching and mentoring of staff
- experience in financial management including, budget development, monitoring, reporting and forecasting
- high level writing skills with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written products including briefings for senior executives, minutes, ministerial responses, policy documents and technical documents skills and capabilities.

**Eligibility**
Eligibility and other requirements

Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Depa