Job Opportunities in Australia

Who we are
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry works to enhance our agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. We create new and maintain existing agricultural export opportunities, to provide gains for Australian agriculture. We manage biosecurity risks to Australia to protect our multi-billion-dollar agricultural industries and our way of life.

The Trade and International Division maximises the impact and influence of the department’s international work by engaging in relevant multilateral and regional fora to shape global rules and norms consistent with Australia’s interests, maintaining and improving our agriculture trade and market access through support for free trade agreement negotiations, tackling non-tariff barriers to trade, leading high level bilateral meetings and mobilising the overseas agriculture counsellor network. We work across the department and across government to ensure a joined up and informed policy and posture across all international functions and invest in the department’s culture and capability to deliver on our international interests.

The Agricultural Trade and Market Access Branch leads on the bilateral relationships with key trading partners including in Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East amongst others. The branch maintains and improves our agriculture trade and market access to these markets and works across government and with industry to foster strong and positive working relationships with counterparts in these markets. The branch supports overseas agriculture counsellors in market to deliver whole-of-portfolio and whole-of-government outcomes.

The job
As Assistant Secretary your duties will include:

• fostering constructive cooperation and engagement within Australia and with governments and agriculture stakeholders in major trading partner countries
• helping to promote effective and coordinated engagement between DAFF and our major agriculture trading partners through regular two-way communication with relevant DAFF divisions
• influencing Australian government policy settings and leveraging the resources of other government departments through close engagement with PM&C, DFAT, Treasury, Austrade and DISR
• tracking, analysing and communicating (to exporters, other government departments and relevant DAFF divisions) major developments with our trading partners that may impact on our agriculture trade interests
• communicating regularly and effectively with international and domestic stakeholders, including through speaking at seminars, making presentations to industry, government groups and consumer organisations, attending functions and hosting meetings
• leading, valuing and cultivating a team located in Australia and in major overseas markets through DAFF’s Overseas Agriculture Counsellor Network, including pastoral care for posted officers.

What we are looking for
To be successful for this role you will need to meet the Senior Executive Service capabilities for the SES Band 1 classification, and have the following:

• ability to deal with uncertainty, and identify and respond to opportunities as they arise
• outstanding leadership skills, including an ability to lead, manage, coach and support staff
• a substantial record of achievement and delivery of results in particular in international contexts
• strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to represent the department at a range of international meetings and forums
• excellent stakeholder relationship skills and experience, both domestically and internationally
• strong knowledge or understanding of the international environment as it relates to agriculture and food security
• knowledge or understanding of the DAFF’s international interests

Desirable qualifications
Qualifications or demonstrated equivalent experience in international engagement or agricultural trade are highly desirable.

Security clearance
This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 2 security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at the appropriate level for these positions.