Position summary

The Parliamentary and Communications Team supports the work of the APVMA and the delivery of its objectives through oversight of parliamentary business, communication advice, media engagement, freedom of information and privacy, integrity and fraud control, website management and coordination.

The Parliamentary and Communications Team is comprised of: 

• The Parliamentary and Coordination Team, which is responsible for the delivery of the APVMA’s ministerial and parliamentary communications, secretariat services to APVMA Executive committee and engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) and other federal, state and territory government agencies.
• The Communications Team, which is responsible for promoting the APVMA through brand management, marketing, media, social media, corporate events, publications and website publishing, to build and reinforce the APVMA’s reputation as a world-class regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
• The FOI, Privacy and Integrity Team, which is responsible for managing the APVMA’s obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and Privacy Act 1988, including coordinating the response to requests and reporting obligations and providing advice to ensure statutory compliance. The team is also responsible for managing the fraud control and integrity function and undertaking investigations related to the Privacy Act 1988, Public Interest Disclosures Act 2013 and APVMA Fraud Control Policy and Plan 2021–23. 

The Director, Parliamentary and Communications will be expected to have:

• Comprehensive knowledge of parliamentary processes and function of government, to oversee the drafting and coordinating of ministerial correspondence and briefs, preparation of senate estimates briefs and responses to questions on notice.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering communications and strategic policies that facilitate effective stakeholder engagement through multiple communications products and channels.
• Proven experience in managing media and public affairs, including the preparation of timely responses to media enquiries, ability to provide communication strategic advice on media issues to senior leaders and fostering productive media relationships.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the statutory obligations relating to Freedom of Information (FOI), information governance and privacy with demonstrated experience of leading these functions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Commonwealth Fraud Control Framework, Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 and Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) with an understanding of the processes and requirements of government investigations to oversee the investigative functions for privacy, fraud and corruption, security and Public Interest Disclosures.

Core functions

• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with APVMA staff and other government agencies to ensure the flow of relevant information to the CEO and Executive, ensuring adherence to deadlines, quality standards and policy.
• Develop and implement strategies, tools and competencies to assist collaboration and information sharing across the APVMA.
• Drive and lead the Parliamentary and Communications Team in performing quality assurance on ministerial submissions and responses to ministerial correspondence and ensuring the CEO’s and APVMA Board’s preferences are adhered to.
• Foster a positive culture within the team, actively managing team members to continually develop, engage with risk, show personal courage and commit to action including through modelling these behaviours.
• Review and provide relevant approval for high-quality communication products including, but not limited to marketing materials, media releases, news items, website content, the APVMA Gazette, talking points and media responses.
• Oversee the management of the APVMA’s FOI, privacy and information governance functions, including ensuring the APVMA meets statutory and operational timeframes and requirements, and internal and external reporting requirements, and as a delegated decision-maker under the FOI Act.
• Manage the APVMA’s Complaints Handling Framework.
• Oversee workplace investigations such as fraud allegations, Public Interest Disclosures (as appropriate), security incidents and privacy and data breaches.
• Assist and provide support, as required, to the Chief Operating Officer.

Selection criteria

To be considered for these roles you will need:

Essential:

1. Qualifications or demonstrated experience in Law, Arts, Government, Communications or related disciplines
2. Demonstrated high-level interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including the ability to consider inputs from a range of sources to prepare documents, briefs, and ministerial correspondence on complex matters and confidently translate information for a variety of audiences.
3. Highly developed leadership and management skills that demonstrates a commitment to developing staff, including a demonstrated ability to set priorities and gain commitment from staff and external stakeholders to meet deadlines.
4. Demonstrated ability to motivate and engage a team through clear performance standards, coach staff to develop the ability to engage with risk and demonstrate the positive management of change.
5. Well-developed interpretative, analytical and problem-solving skills, including a proven ability to research and interpret legislation, synthesise information, draft appropriate documentation and provide pragmatic advice when dealing with potentially sensitive issues with diplomacy.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of legislation and guidelines in information governance, including FOI, privacy and information management; government integrity in areas such as complaints handling, Public Interest Disclosures, corruption and fraud; parliamentary processes; and government security.
7. Demonstrated high-level organisational skills including the ability to prioritise workloads in an environment of shared agendas, competing demands, statutory and operational deadlines and steers the team towards mutually beneficial outcomes.

Desirable:

• Other relevant qualifications deemed desirable
  • Certificate IV in Government (Investigations)
  • Diploma of Fraud Control. 

In accordance with section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, applications for this position are open only to Australian citizens.