Director

As a Director in the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator's (OGTR) Evaluation Section, you will lead and manage a team of regulatory scientists preparing risk assessment and risk management plans for work with genetically modified organisms. The role also includes the provision of high-level scientific, strategic and operational policy advice to support the Gene Technology Regulator, and significant regulatory decision-making delegations under the Gene Technology Act 2000. 

Alongside the business-as-usual gene technology regulatory work, the Evaluation Section is updating technical documents and processes to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose in a fast paced and technologically challenging environment. The Director will be involved in management of this project and so be required to combine their excellent writing and communication skills with their extensive regulatory experience.

Key responsibilities:

• Direct the activities of a section contributing to gene technology regulation.
• Provide high level scientific, strategic and operational policy support to the Gene Technology Regulator.
• Lead and manage a team, provide advice and high-level technical review of the evaluation of applications in relation to dealings with genetically modified organisms.
• Oversee the preparation of risk assessment and risk management plans for intentional release or contained work with genetically modified plants, animals, insects or microorganisms.
• Lead the development and improvement of operational and administrative practices and identify and implement potential efficiencies.
• Lead the development and improvement of technical guidelines and guidance material.
• Operate delegate authority appropriately and effectively within the Gene Technology Act 2000.
• Represent the OGTR in discussions with government and non-government organisations, industry, consumer and community organisations, scientific forums, and with the public.
• Present and attend intra-government and cross-agency forums, meetings and conferences.

Key capabilities:

• Extensive experience in research, regulatory science and regulatory risk analysis. 
• Extensive experience managing a team of regulatory scientists or research scientists. 
• Experience developing legislative instruments, guidelines, and guidance documents. 
• Demonstrated ability to interpret technical regulations and exercise legal delegations. 
• Experience conducting risk assessments and writing scientific reports. 
• Excellent communication and representational skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and communicate complex information effectively with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive internal and external relationships, promote collaboration and innovation, and to engage and motivate people.
• A strategic focus, good judgement and decision-making ability.

• To be eligible for employment with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, applicants must be an Australian citizen at the time an offer of employment is made.  
• An applicant’s suitability for employment with Health will also be assessed through a variety of pre-employment check processes, such as:  
  • Satisfactory completion of a criminal history check, and where relevant, a Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check,  
  • Completion of a medical declaration and pre-employment medical (where required),  
  • Providing evidence of qualifications (where required), and  
  • Obtaining and maintaining a security clearance at the required level.  
• For this role applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance or hold a current security clearance at an appropriate level. 
• To be eligible for the role, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science and post graduate qualifications (MSc, PhD or overseas equivalent) in Science, Agriculture, Medical Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field of biology and a valid Australian Drivers Licence. 

• Applications close 11:30pm AEDT.   
• Applicants are asked to quote reference number 26-OGTROGTRDIV-32092 to assist when making an enquiry.   
• This recruitment process is being used to fill both ongoing and non-ongoing positions. Non-ongoing positions will be offered on a specified term basis for an initial period of up to 12 months with the possibility of being extended (this will not exceed a total of 24 months in the same or similar role).