Senior Policy Officer – APS6

Who we are

The Plant Systems and Strategies Branch (PSaS) leads, supports, enables and coordinates key functions across the division to enhance risk analysis, stakeholder engagement, support a centralised model for the publication of import conditions, and to progress technical market access negotiations and capacity building with trading partners. The branch is building capacity to enhance our people, processes and systems to develop and improve capabilities and embed program and project management and change management.

The Market Coordination and Strategy Team operates across the division to provide strategic analysis and advice to facilitate Australia’s export and trade priorities for plants and plant products. The team applies a portfolio perspective in aligning activities with other trade interests and contributes to the department’s strategic approach to priorities with trading partners and international engagement. The team is also the primary liaison point for plant sector industry bodies on export and trade issues and contributes to the industry prioritisation processes for plants and plant products through Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited, the Grains Industry Market Access Forum and other bodies.

The Job

• Do you want to develop experience in trade and export policy, intelligence gathering and analysis and industry and international engagement?
• Do you have excellent coordination and problem-solving skills?
• Are you interested in international travel to support meetings with key trading partners.

We are seeking policy and coordination professionals to fill vacancies in the Market Coordination and Strategy Team. You will assist with developing strategies to support Australia’s export and trade priorities for plant and plant products. You will lead the organisation of meetings with international trading partners where Australia negotiates new and improved trade conditions for horticulture and grain products. You will lead other administrative and data tasks as necessary to support the work of the team, branch, division. The successful candidates will enjoy collaborating with internal and external stakeholders in positive, respectful ways. With your excellent project management and analytical skills, you will provide well-researched advice and strategies to engage stakeholders and support the dynamic and busy team.

Key duties include:

• organising and leading coordination of bilateral meetings with key trading partners, which may include international travel to attend the meetings
• assisting in the development of negotiation strategies for the trade of horticultural and grain products in key markets
• providing high quality policy advice and contribute to the department’s strategic approach to market access and international engagement
• engaging with government, industry and international stakeholders to facilitate cooperation and achieve outcomes for plant trade and export
• business of government activities including briefing, official correspondence and the diplomatic cable network
• demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team, manage performance and priorities and contribute positively to team culture.

Please note that the role is Canberra based with flexible work options. Opportunities for international travel is a potential for the role. To seek further information please speak with the contact officer prior to submitting your application.

Please note that this vacancy is being advertised as both an ongoing and non-ongoing position. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for a period of 18 months.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

The role requires an analytical and creative problem solving approach, well developed strategic thinking abilities along with excellent written and verbal communication skills and an awareness of export industries and global trade environment.

Job Reference: 2022/6657

Closing Date:27 Oct 2022