Australia nationals: Manager, National Water Strategy Section

The successful applicant will undertake work with a high level of complexity and sensitivity and operate under broad direction. They will exercise a significant degree of independence and perform an important leadership role.
They will be responsible for influencing and developing strategy, policies, priorities and operational practices in support of agency objectives based on high level decision-making and judgement.
They will provide a high level of advice to senior management and Ministers and will be responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Who we are
The Water Division helps communities, irrigators and businesses, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin, use water resources sustainably and efficiently by progressing national water reforms. The division contributes to the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan by recovering water, in ways that achieve the outcomes of the plan. The division promotes sustainable water development nationally under the principles of the National Water Initiative. The division works in a constantly changing environment and must deliver key national water reforms in set timeframes.

The Strategic Water Policy and International Engagement Branch provides policy advice to the Commonwealth Water Minister on international, national and urban water resource management matters and supports the Government to take forward national water reform. The Branch also develops and implements engagement and communication strategies and leads the department’s international engagement on water issues.

The National Water Strategy Section provides advice to the water minister on national water policy. The team is working across the water divisions and the department to develop a new National Water Initiative (NWI) in collaboration with state and territory governments. The NWI is an intergovernmental agreement signed up to by all jurisdictions that promotes sustainable water management nationally. The team role at the centre of negotiations on a new intergovernmental agreement is an exciting opportunity to be involved in defining national water reform priorities that meet the challenges in the decades ahead. This is a key election commitment for the Government.

The Job
Setting the priorities, and managing the human and financial resources, of the National Water Strategy Section Coordinating the provision of strategic advice on national water issues Managing a program of policy and project work on national water reform Managing engagement with key environmental and industry stakeholders, the science and research community, First Nations People and the broader Australian community on national water reform Supporting Australian Government representation on the National Water Reform Committee Provision of secretariat support to the National Water Initiative Working Group and which comprises water agencies from all State and Territory governments. Building and maintaining a network of relationships with key stakeholders, including in federal and state/territory governments, industry and academia.

What we are looking for
Skills and capabilities
The successful applicant will have:

The ability to lead and manage a team under flexible working arrangements.
High level liaison, negotiation, stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication approaches to various target audiences.
Strong writing skills and experience preparing briefs and other policy products.
Strong conceptual and analytical skills and a proven ability to analyse complex issues, identify problems, provide advice on appropriate solutions and sound decision-making skills.
The ability to work under pressure to meet tight timeframes, manage competing priorities and respond quickly, flexibly to change.
Personal drive, integrity and a commitment to creating an inclusive and safe workplace, and an understanding of and commitment to the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Knowledge and experience
The successful applicant will have:

Experience in managing staff and other resources.
Experience in policy engagement, development and implementation.
Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively and cultivating and maintaining productive working relationships with a range of domestic and/or international stakeholders.

Eligibility and other requirements

Citizenship – To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance – This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

Candidate Information Pack (PDF)

Candidate Information Pack (Docx)

Job Description

How to apply: