The Principal Officer - Governance Projects sits in the Governance, Regulatory Improvement and Programs branch, which directly supports a number of entities including the four Livestock Compensation Advisory Committees and their grant program, and provides support to relationship managers across Agriculture Victoria for appointments to agriculture portfolio entities.

This position will progress the appointment processes for a number of agriculture portfolio agency positions, including the Chairs of the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria, PrimeSafe and Dairy Food Safety Victoria; as well as a large number of veterinary board positions and enforcement panel members. This will involve running a series of substantial public recruitment processes, conducting interviews, advising the Minister and Cabinet (including developing Cabinet Submissions) on outcomes and developing appointment materials.

The position will also lead other governance projects including an evaluation of the Livestock Biosecurity Funds grant program and development of an evaluation framework to support on-going evaluation of this program. This will require extensive engagement with the livestock advisory committees and their secretariat, as well as grant recipients.

The successful applicant will be excited about opportunities to grow the agriculture and food industries and the role of best-practice governance to achieve this. The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills, strong project management experience, an understanding of government processes and good governance, and the skills to build productive stakeholder relationships. Most importantly, the candidate will have the ability to provide succinct, clear, strategic advice informed by an understanding of risks, costs and benefits.

Accountabilities

• Drive the delivery of priority projects, through active project management, creative development of products, policy analysis and superior communication.
• Lead selection processes to recruit and appoint members to statutory boards of management; working with relationship managers, agencies and broader governance teams to progress these processes. Refine and document best practice processes.
• Lead development of an evaluation framework and undertake an evaluation of the Livestock Biosecurity Funds grant program, working closely with the livestock advisory committees and their secretariat.
• Prepare well-written, concise, timely briefings and correspondence for and on behalf of the Minister and Executive management. This includes using departmental templates, style guide, systems and processes, and ensuring that written work is free from grammatical or spelling errors.
• Support the Manager Governance Support and Coordination to develop advice about portfolio governance matters, including development of briefs and cabinet submissions relating to appointments and other governance matters.
• Undertake research and investigations, prepare briefings, and coordinate the preparation of proposals, recommendations and reports on governance issues.
• Establish and maintain relationships with colleagues, and senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Other duties and projects that support the Regulatory Policy and Programs and Animal Welfare Victoria division to deliver its requirements and priorities.
• To practice cultural safety by creating environments, relationships and systems free from racism and discrimination so that people can feel safe, valued and able to participate.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary degree would be well regarded.
• An understanding of recruitment and appointments to public sector boards, including the Victorian Government Appointments and Remuneration Guide is desirable.
• Experience in the evaluation of grant programs is desirable.

This is fixed term position available for a period of 1 year. The work location for this position is Attwood, Melbourne (flexibility available) with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 16^th October 2024.

Other relevant information:

For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check. 

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. 

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.

For further information including the position description, key selection criteria and to apply visit www.careers.vic.gov.au