Local recruitment: Deputy Secretary, Water and Catchments

Position Details

The Deputy Secretary, Water and Catchments is one of nine members of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA) Executive Board, providing strategic and collaborative leadership that builds performance across our department and puts service excellence and values-based leadership at the centre of everything we do. 

Reporting to the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary’s primary focus will be to lead the strategic direction for the government’s long-term water plan, including implementing the state’s current water management plan, Water for Victoria. The group works in partnerships with water corporations, catchment management authorities, government agencies, industry, community, and Traditional Owners to balance the economic, environmental, and social values of water.

As a senior leader and decision maker you will lead strategies, frameworks, policies and structures to guide work across the department to deliver on the Victorian Government’s priorities. This is achieved through values-based leadership that sets and leads a positive and productive workplace culture that forge key partnerships across the department, portfolio entities and other key stakeholders.

Accountabilities

• Lead, motivate and support a team of senior leaders and their staff across the group to meet new and emerging Victorian Government priorities effectively and efficiently across the water sector which include enhancing water security planning, meeting the increasing demands of emergency management, supporting the Victorian energy transition, and delivering on basin planning.
• Lead the strategic planning of Water and Catchment Group to deliver on priorities; build strong partnerships across DEECA and with portfolio agencies; supporting Victoria’s natural and built environment to ensure economic growth and liveable sustainable and inclusive communities.
• Provide strategic and authoritative advice to the Secretary on current and emerging government policy and proactively navigating the political context, building and maintaining relationships with Ministers’ and their offices, and proactively shape relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Embed the organisation’s vision, strategy and values within the region and collaborate with meaning as a member of the DEECA Executive Board to deliver on DEECA’s corporate objectives.
• Effectively engage stakeholders, including the community, local government and other key organisations in line with DEECA’s community charter. Demonstrate high levels of collaboration, communication and responsiveness, and build a strong service excellence reputation for DEECA and the Victorian Government more broadly.
• Represent the department, Ministers and government in consultations and negotiations of complex policy issues at national and international level.
• Create strong links to integrate corporate functions, frameworks, reporting processes and ensure compliance with OHS legislation, and lead by example a culture of safety first.
• Ensure the highest standards in business management through strategic and business planning, risk management, including strong accountability for financial and budget management.
• Ensure the highest ethical standards in the delivery of all the department’s programs and services, with a strong commitment to the Victorian Public Service values.

About the organisation

We employ more than 6,000 staff, who work from more than 82 locations throughout Victoria, across the portfolios of energy, environment, climate action, water, agriculture and resources. Our challenge is to maintain Victoria’s liveability, with a population expected to almost double by 2050, while responding to climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations. We take a community-centred approach and involve communities and key stakeholders in decisions and policies that affect them and we collaborate across our portfolios to design and deliver services and programs.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Natasha Diamond or Jarrod McLauchlan on 0412 822 348/0407 808 517.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 11 October 2023.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.