Agency Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Work unit Strategic Coordination

Job title Manager Research Farms Designation Senior Administrative Officer 1

Job type Full Time Duration Ongoing

Salary $136,380 – $152,357 Location Darwin

Position number 76260075 RTF 357589 Closing 08/10/2026

Contact Officer Matthew Osborne, Senior Executive Director on 08 8999 2921 or [email protected]

About the agency Homepage | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=357589

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY

QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer.

For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective The Manager Research Farms is responsible for the Department's network of research farms across the Northern Territory. The role oversees farm staff,

infrastructure, equipment, livestock, and operations to ensure the farms provide safe, reliable, and well-run sites for agricultural research, demonstration,

training, and industry engagement.

Working closely with researchers, industry partners, and regional teams, the position helps ensure the research farms are ready to support projects that improve farming systems and contribute to the growth of agriculture in the Northern Territory. The role contributes to the Northern Territory Government's priority of Rebuilding the Economy and reports to the Senior Director, Regions and Operations within the Strategic Coordination Division.





Context statement The Department operates eight research farm facilities across the Northern Territory. These research farms support agricultural development by providing sites for research, field trials, demonstration activities, training programs, and collaboration with industry. The farms play an important role in developing new production systems and opportunities for agricultural diversification in the Northern Territory.

Research farms produce crops and livestock which are sold to offset the cost of operations.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Provide leadership on the management, development, and future direction of the Department's research farms.
2. Build and maintain effective relationships with agency colleagues, researchers, producers, industry groups, and partner organisations.
3. Lead the development, delivery and review of plans and procedures that coordinate farm operations and assets across all sites to support research and

biosecurity surveillance projects, demonstration activities at industry standards, field days, open days, training workshops, and other industry events.
1. Lead and support a geographically dispersed team ensuring work is carried out safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
2. Manage research farm budgets and financial processes, ensuring expenditure, income, and reporting requirements are accurate and meet government

requirements.
1. Ensure work health and safety obligations are met across all sites, including maintaining safe systems of work, emergency response plans, and standard





operating procedures for events such as fires, flooding, and biosecurity incidents.
1. Manage the production, sale, and disposal of cattle and other farm products in accordance with government policies, financial requirements, animal

welfare standards and animal ethics permit requirements.
1. Oversee the maintenance and improvement of farm infrastructure, vehicles, machinery, equipment, and other operational assets to ensure they remain

protected, functional, and fit for purpose.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate complex operations, translating organisational priorities into practical plans, policies and procedures and

delivering outcomes across multiple sites.
1. Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop geographically dispersed teams, including building capability, managing performance, fostering

accountability and maintaining a positive workplace culture.
1. Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial resources, contracts and operational expenditure, ensuring compliance, value for money and

achievement of business objectives.
1. Demonstrated knowledge of work health and safety, risk management, emergency preparedness, biosecurity and regulatory compliance, with

experience implementing safe systems of work in agricultural environments.
1. Highly developed communication and relationship management skills, with a proven ability to work collaboratively with researchers, industry, producers

and government stakeholders to solve problems, drive continuous improvement and deliver successful outcomes.

Desirable

1. Relevant tertiary qualification in agriculture, business management or a related discipline.
2. Knowledge of Northern Territory agricultural industries and production systems.

Further information The position requires regular travel to remote locations within the NT.

📌 Manager Research Farms (Darwin)
🏢 NT Government - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
📍 Darwin