Assistant Director - Vector Monitoring Program

Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division and the departments’ goal.

We protect Australia’s plant health to support trade, the economy, and the environment. Our division provides scientific advice, diagnostics, biosecurity training, and risk assessments. We enable safe plant imports, strengthen systems, and engage stakeholders. Surveillance and response are conducted at national entry points and approved sites, including northern Australia. We work closely with communities and Indigenous rangers to manage biosecurity risks, including in the Torres Strait.

Our scientists are on the front line of biosecurity, leading early detection and response for pests, diseases and weeds at entry points and across northern Australia. We deliver diagnostics, inspections, and training that help stop biosecurity threats before they spread. By working with stakeholders and sharing expertise, we strengthen Australia’s ability to protect its agriculture, environment and communities.

In consultation with the Director – OSS Surveillance Section, the Assistant Director – Vector Monitoring Program, will provide leadership to a national team of ongoing Vector Monitoring Program staff.

This will ensure:

(1) effective early detection and response to exotic mosquitoes, thereby preventing their establishment and spread in Australia and safeguarding Australia's human, livestock and wildlife health from these mosquitoes and the arboviruses they transmit; and

(2) Australia fulfils related obligations as signatory to World Health Organisation (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR).

This is where you play an important role.

In consultation with the Director – OSS Surveillance Section, the Assistant Director - Vector Monitoring Program, you will be responsible:

• providing leadership to a national set of teams of VMP staff within OSS, including managing staff and their performance, financial management, corporate governance and leading change and implementation of policy frameworks and changes to work processes in line with national work instructions

• managing and deploying a significant resource base (including laboratory and field facilities and equipment) with a high degree of discretion for their day-to-day management

• liaising, negotiating, engaging and effectively communicating with key internal stakeholders, in particular policy staff related to the Vector Monitoring Program

• developing, implementing and monitoring against plans, including setting work area priorities and evaluating activities and working methods

• developing, preparing and reviewing high quality written material including reports, briefing papers, business cases and other documents related to the OSS Surveillance Section and SSG more broadly

• contributing to strategic planning for programs and projects, with a particular emphasis on addressing continuous improvement and the delivery of practical outcomes

• applying creativity and originality in developing new approaches or techniques, in consultation with policy colleagues

• collaborating with national coordinators and policy area for VMP to contribute to strategic planning for national policies and projects

• providing timely and science-based risk mitigation advice including providing direction (in consultation with policy colleagues) to VMP staff responding to known or potential detections of exotic species

• identifying and responding to biosecurity and business risks and developing and implementing innovative solutions to conducting surveillance in consultation with VMP Regional Vector Coordinators

• contributing to building Section staff capability by coaching and motivating team members, building cooperation and succession planning

• leading, promoting and ensuring effective implementation of the Australian Public Service (APS) Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct and WHS and rehabilitation policies.

Please note:

• This recruitment process will initially be used to fill one ongoing (permanent) vacancy in the section.

• 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.

Our ideal candidate will have:

Key knowledge and experience will include:

1. Extensive experience conducting and coordinating surveillance activities for mosquitoes.
2. Significant knowledge and experience in entomology, particularly related to biology, ecology, management and diagnostics.
3. Demonstrated experience with:
   • project management
   • achieving operational results within national policy frameworks.

Key skills will include:

1. self-motivated with high level leadership and organisational skills including ability to set priorities and meet strict deadlines.
2. Ability to work:
   • independently with minimal supervision, including using professional and evaluative judgement, making balanced decisions
   • successfully leading a team in complex situations
   • co-operatively within a team environment, including capability to build productive working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders
3. effectively to deliver operational results within policy frameworks and to standards set by work instructions.
4. Ability to effectively uphold departmental positions and deliver required business outcomes in difficult situations.
5. Proven ability to think strategically, anticipate and respond to emerging issues and work towards solutions.
6. Demonstrated ability to negotiate positive outcomes on complex, contentious and sensitive matters.
7. Well-developed oral and written communication skills.

The successful candidate:

1. must hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers’ licence,
2. must meet the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
3. may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work,
4. may be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams,
5. must wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy,
6. must wear appropriate protective personal equipment clothing and comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures,
7. must satisfactorily complete the department’s Biosecurity Foundation Program and meet minimum requirements to be appointed a Biosecurity Officer under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Mandatory requirements

1. This position requires an ASIC Licence, MSIC Licence, Airside Licence.

Desirable Qualification

1. Post-graduate qualification in biological science (entomology), ideally related to mosquitoes and involving field studies (highly desirable).