Are you excited about developing and implementing strategic approaches to regulatory reform? Do you enjoy working with stakeholders to develop reform proposals? Does analysing and reviewing complex policy issues, identifying emerging issues, and developing evidence-based options, bring you joy?

The APVMA’s Office of the Executive General Counsel is seeking applications for an Assistant Director, Strategic Policy and Departmental Liaison to work in a dynamic cross-disciplinary team including technical specialists and scientists to strengthen Australia's regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Located in either Canberra ACT or regional Armidale NSW, you will gain experience in the Australian Public Service, have access to a variety of flexible working arrangements, and manage the APVMA’s contribution to, and consideration of, new and revised legislative, regulatory and policy proposals.

The Assistant Director, Strategic Policy and Departmental Liaison will operate under limited direction as part of the Reform team to develop and implement the APVMA’s strategic approach to regulatory reform. This currently includes examination of APVMA’s legislation, regulations, and policies to ensure that they are operating efficiency and effectively and remain fit for purpose and managing the ongoing consideration of the Final Report of the Independent Review of the Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Regulatory System in Australia. The role will take a regulatory stewardship approach to contribute to the effective and efficient operation of the national framework for agvet chemical regulation in Australia.

The successful applicant will be experienced in regulatory policy development, management, and implementation. They will have people, project management, change management and negotiation skills. They will work collegiately with a broad range of stakeholders from industry, government, and the wider community.





The Assistant Director Strategic Policy and Departmental Liaison is responsible for identifying how reforms might impact the APVMA and working with stakeholders to develop reform proposals. The Assistant Director, Reform will be responsible for:

- Undertaking strategic and regulatory policy and other reform initiatives across the APVMA, consistent with the APVMA’s objectives and strategies and the APVMA Board’s priorities. This may include coordinating internal proposals and settling an APVMA-wide position.
- Analysing and reviewing complex policy issues, identifying emerging issues, developing evidence-based options, and recommending and negotiating solutions to resolve problems and mitigate risks.
- Managing the APVMA’s contribution to, and consideration of, recent and revised legislative, regulatory and policy proposals. This includes leading negotiations on regulatory policy and reform initiatives.
- Lead the consideration and implementation of innovative regulatory practices within the bounds of existing legislation, including ensuring that the APVMA’s legislative instruments are effective, efficient, and reflect modern regulatory practice.
- Providing high quality and strategic advice on strategic and regulatory policy and other reform matters, as requested by the APVMA Board or Executive.
- Developing and maintaining strong internal and external relationships to collaborate, consult, exchange information, and build consensus with key industry groups, community, other levels of government and other stakeholders to inform strategic decisions,



as appropriate within the APVMA/DAFF Reporting and Cooperation Framework.
- Building, developing, and sustaining a strong team culture and capabilities. This includes supervising and developing staff.

To be a strong contender for the role, you will have:

Essential:

1. 1Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, influence and implement legislative, regulatory, and policy reform projects in a complex and sensitive environment.
2. Highly developed management skills, including the ability to foster a positive and supportive team culture, and to support the APVMA’s executive leadership group.
3. Capability to work in a dynamic and busy environment, working with competing priorities and the demonstrated ability to effectively manage and prioritise the workload of a team to deliver agreed outcomes.
4. Excellent people and negotiation skills, highly developed communication skills, and the ability to work collegiately with a broad range of stakeholders from industry, government, and the wider community.
5. Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and manage complex issues for internal and external stakeholders, particularly in the regulatory reform context.

Desirable:

- Experience working in the Australian Public Service.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in law highly desirable, with experience in legal policy and regulatory reform well regarded.
- Experience and understanding of Parliamentary and Cabinet processes and coordination and liaison with other government departments and offices, including in the context of legislative and regulatory reform.

Please note that this role is being advertised as either ongoing or non-ongoing. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant could be employed for an initial period of up to 12 months, which may be extended in accordance with subsection 333E (1) of the Fair Work Act 2009.

📌 Assistant Director, Strategic Policy and Departmental Liaison (Australia)
🏢 Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
📍 Australia