Chief Executive Officer
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Canberra ACT
Full-time statutory appointment – 5 years
Total remuneration package: $408,020
Applications open Tuesday 28 July **** and will close 11:30pm AEST on Thursday 13 August ****
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is seeking an accomplished executive leader for the role of Chief Executive Officer.
This statutory appointment leads ACIAR, a specialist Australian Government agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, delivering international agricultural research partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.
Reporting to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer will oversee organisational performance and governance, and drive high-impact research-for-development programs that support food security, poverty reduction, sustainable agriculture and stronger regional partnerships.
This Canberra-based appointment is for a five-year term and offers the prospect to lead a respected Commonwealth agency with a distinctive international mandate.
The successful candidate will bring strong executive leadership, financial and organisational management capability, experience working across government and research sectors, and the ability to build trusted relationships with domestic and international stakeholders.
In this role you will be required to:
Set the strategic vision for ACIAR, inspiring purpose and direction across the agency.
Provide leadership to empower the efficient and productive functioning of the Centre.
Advise and report to the Minister, the Commission and the Policy Advisory Council on ACIAR's overall strategy, research and capacity-building programs, and accountability of operations.
Represent Australia at high-level international meetings, including meetings of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and its sub-committees or task forces.
Represent ACIAR before government and Parliament, and to Australian industry and the domestic and international scientific research community.
Interact effectively at the highest levels with agencies across the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, the broader Australian Public Service, universities, CSIRO and state departments.




Negotiate agreements with collaborating country governments and facilitate collaborative partnerships with developing country government agencies and research institutions.
Contribute to national and international reviews in scientific research and development assistance.
Lead and manage the ACIAR Executive team and oversee appropriate people management systems for staff and contractors in Australia and overseas.
Ensure ACIAR operates in compliance with all relevant legislative and policy frameworks, with a particular focus on Commonwealth financial and resource management obligations, including oversight of ACIAR's annual budget, financial governance, procurement, risk, audit and assurance.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will bring high-level expertise in leading a complex organisation and driving effective research partnerships across government, universities, research organisations and business.
They will combine a strong focus on outcomes, with the discipline required to run an efficient, accountable and high-performing Commonwealth agency.
They will demonstrate strong financial and organisational management capability, and a clear understanding of governance, probity, risk and accountability in a Commonwealth context.
They will be able to translate strategy into practical delivery, align resources to priorities, and ensure ACIAR operates effectively within the expectations of government, ministers, Parliament and stakeholders.
The successful candidate will also be an accomplished people leader, with the ability to build a cohesive and high-performing executive team, foster a positive and inclusive organisational culture, and lead staff and locally engaged employees across Australia and overseas.
They will bring credibility, resilience and strong communication skills, and will be able to inspire confidence across a diverse network of domestic and international partners.




They will have a record of leading change, driving innovation and engaging others in solutions to emerging global and regional challenges, preferably in a research management, international development and/or public sector context.
ELIGIBILTY
To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be Australian citizens or hold permanent residency and be willing to apply for Australian citizenship.
Certified copies of tertiary qualifications and other appropriate documentation must be presented on request.
This is a security-designated position.
The successful candidate must have, or be able to obtain, an Australian Government security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2 and maintain that clearance for the duration of the appointment.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be submitted by selecting the Apply button or following the recruitment link in the attached job information pack.
As a part of your application, you will be required to provide a statement of claims, or short pitch, of approximately **** words addressing the requirements of the role.
Your application will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications required to perform the role successfully.
Relevant examples and achievements will strengthen your application.
Your statement of claims, short pitch, is your prospect to tell us why you are the right candidate for the role.
For enquiries about the recruitment process, please contact Beaumont & Beaumont ensuring you quote their reference number:
Name:
Beaumont&Beaumont;
Email:
••••@beaumontandbeaumont.com.au
Phone:
(02) •••• •500
Quote Reference number:*****
Please let us know if you require any adjustments to participate fully in this recruitment process.
All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ACIAR
To learn more about ACIAR, our work across the Indo-Pacific region, and the impact of our research partnerships in supporting food security, poverty reduction and sustainable agriculture, please visit the ACIAR website -
ACIAR - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
📍 Canberra