Job Opportunities in Australia

Who we are
The Export Standards Branch negotiates technical standards and conditions with trading partners to maintain, improve or develop market access for the export of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, animal by-products and non-prescribed goods. The branch develops content for the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICo R), provides chemical residue and microbiological expertise, laboratory oversight and manages the Codex contact point responsible for the coordination and development of policy and technical input into international food standards.

The branch has dedicated market access teams which negotiate with trading partners to maintain, improve, or develop new market access for the export of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, inedible animal products and processed foods. The teams negotiate agreed conditions of trade, facilitate bilateral engagement with international trading partner authorities, assist in the coordination and organisation of audits of Australia’s export systems and establishments, develop Australian positions on international standard setting for trade, and develop content for the department’s Manual of Importing Country Requirements.

The Job
Duties of the positions include but are not limited to:

• providing technical, veterinary and/or specialist advice and guidance on matters relating to animal health, biosecurity and food safety,
• working on topical issues, critical for the future exports of Australian food and animal by products,
• liaising, negotiating and effectively communicating with Australian and overseas government agencies, industry bodies, and other internal and external stakeholders in support of technical market access,
• undertaking research and developing technical submissions and briefings in support of technical market access negotiations for animal products and by products,
• representing the department during engagement with international trading partners and Australian industry,
• contributing to content relating to animal health and providing input into high level written and verbal advice to senior executives and the Minister in support of the above activities,
• providing input into the development of international standards for food trade,
• undertaking research and responding to trade disruptions.

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
The successful applicants will demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of Australia’s food safety, biosecurity, and animal health systems.
• Trade experience and knowledge of Australian export legislation and agricultural industries is desirable.
• A working knowledge of legislative frameworks, government decision-making processes and regulations is also desirable.

Mandatory qualifications
Applicants must possess, at a minimum, a bachelor level degree that is recognisable in Australia. Degrees in a relevant field such as science, public health, agricultural economics, law, international relations, public policy etc will be looked upon favourably.