The role can be performed from any location in Australia as per the successful candidate’s preference, consistent with APS flexibility policies.
The opportunity
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) leads Australia’s response to climate change and sustainable energy use, and protect our environment, heritage and water.
A unique and exciting opportunity has been created to lead Environment Information Australia. This organisation has been created to provide access to authoritative sources of high-quality environmental information as set out in the Nature Positive Plan: better for the environment, better for business (Nature Positive Plan) released in December 2022.
DCCEEW is seeking a dynamic, highly experienced, innovative and strategic leader to lead this new organisation for an 18 month to 2 year period. The successful candidate will possess the ability to lead Environment Information Australia to deliver on its mandate to provide environmental information to the independent Environment Protection Australia, the Government, and to the public, ensuring national environmental decision making is underpinned by trusted, best available, and integrated information.
This unique leadership opportunity will enable the successful candidate to shape Australia’s first independent, national environmental data and information office. By drawing together technical, policy and regulatory expertise, you will be able to shape a workforce that delivers improved interoperability, management and quality of national environmental data and information. You will establish the organisation to have a reputation for independence and impartiality that sets high standards and a proven capacity to collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to deliver Government priorities.
Success in this role will be represented by:
- Establishment of Environment Information Australia as a trusted, authoritative source for national environmental information.
- Delivery of authoritative reports and analysis on Australia’s environment and progress against national environmental goals, including the 5 yearly State of the Environment Report.
- Highly effective development and implementation of a National Environmental Data Strategy that sets out how Environment Information Australia will work with international, national, state and territory government agencies, proponents, scientists, First Nations and the broader community to improve environmental information and address key data and capability gaps.
- Driving forward the development & implementation of a National Environmental Standard for Data and Information.
What we are looking for
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to deliver against the requirements of the role as well as their broader demonstrated abilities and experience against the Senior Executive Service capability for the Band 2 level. These capabilities are:
- Ability to demonstrate your collaboration skills and agility in a complex, time and politically sensitive environment.
- Outstanding leadership skills, including of high-level cross agency, cross-sector, national and international engagement and negotiation activities, and ministers.
- A substantial record of achievement and a reputation for innovation
- Excellent stakeholder relationship skills.
- Superior people management skills in building cohesive, high-performing, and vibrant workforce cultures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all audiences, in an articulate, persuasive yet facilitative manner.
- Analytical abilities of a high order and experience solving complex and high-profile issues.
- Demonstrated professionalism and probity.
Mandatory qualifications and experience
For this role, mandatory requirements are:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in information management, environmental science/ management, data science, natural resource management or a related field is a mandatory requirement;
- We are seeking candidates with a minimum of 10 years experience in environmental information management or a related field;
- Also essential is cultural competence in working with First Nations peoples, particularly around Indigenous knowledge;
Desirable qualification and experience
Desirable qualifications and experience that would be an advantage
Previous experience in establishing new divisions/ workforces and/or provision of information products and management of data supporting regulatory decisions would be advantageous.
Experience or relevant understanding of government including liaison with central agencies, budget and government processes. A knowledge and understanding of the Australian Commonwealth Government would also be of benefit.
Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Pre-employment Check - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.
Requirement to be vaccinated under public health orders
It may be a condition of your employment that:
1. you are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 under an applicable Australian law; or
2. if the department is unable under an applicable Australian law to permit you to attend for work (ie outside of your usual place of residence) unless you are vaccinated against COVID-19, you must be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, and you must also comply with all recommendations from public health authorities regarding any additional vaccinations that ensure the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine that you have received.
Statement of claims
Applicants are required to submit a current CV/resume and a statement of claims (750 words maximum) outlining why you are interested in this position and why you believe that you have the skills, capabilities, knowledge and experience to be considered for this role. Please provide examples which demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the position.
The key areas, or points, listed above describe the particular skills, capabilities, knowledge, and experience and where applicable the qualifications required to achieve the desired outcomes for the role and your statement of claims against these is an essential part of the shortlisting process. If shortlisted, applicants will be asked to attend an interview to provide further examples against these key areas/points to demonstrate their ability to perform the duties of the position.
Work Health and Safety Obligations
All workers (APS1-Secretary) have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety whilst at work, to ensure their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons and to comply with any reasonable instruction given to comply with the Work Health and Safety legislation.
An Officer (EL2-Secretary) makes and participates in making decisions that affect the whole or a substantial part of the department. Employees at the SES Band 2 and above classification are considered to be Officers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) with all EL 2 and above required to complete officer due diligence training. Officers have a duty to be proactive and continuously ensure that the department complies with relevant duties and obligations.
RecruitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information see https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.
Closing date – 11pm Sunday 11 June 2023
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