Australia nationals: Director, Snowy & Upper Murrumbidgee

Drive the implementation of priority Australian Government investments and reform for the upper Murrumbidgee River
Work in a motivated and professional team with passionate people who love solving problems
Make a difference for the environment and communities

Who we are
The Water Reform Division provides policy advice to implement significant water reforms including delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, efficient and effective water markets, amendments to the Water Act and strategic alignment of water science.

The Engagement and Environmental Outcomes Branch is part of the Water Reform Division and has three teams:

Engagement Strategy & Delivery.
Constraints Strategy.
Snowy & Upper Murrumbidgee.

The Snowy & Upper Murrumbidgee Section is responsible for the delivery and implementation of new Australian Government commitments to improve the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River and make a difference in the short and long term. Following the release of our Improving the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee: Draft Strategy, we are expanding our team and are looking for a high performing and collaborative Director to work across multiple work streams and programs to progress Australian Government investment in the Upper Murrumbidgee region. For more information – https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/programs/water-reform/improving-health-upper-murrumbidgee

The Job
As a Director working on Snowy & Upper Murrumbidgee matters your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Working closely with another Director on coordinated work programs to lead and provide strategic direction for multiple Upper Murrumbidgee workstreams.
Leading and managing a high-performing team, empowering staff and building capability.
Engaging with policy areas, central agencies, the Executive and ministerial offices to provide a strategic, cross-portfolio approach to the delivery of Australian Government commitments.
Applying critical thinking and problem-solving to engage with whole-of-government priorities and support delivery of the portfolio’s policy agenda.
Building and maintaining constructive and collaborative relationships with other areas of the department, Commonwealth agencies, the minister’s office, state and territory government agencies and other key external stakeholders.
Progressing the design and implementation of key investments and programs under the Improving the health of the Upper Murrumbidgee: Draft Strategy. This may include, but is not limited to, the development of departmental policy positions, program design and delivery (Federation Funding Agreements), technical advice, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, First Nations partnerships, and governance design and review.
Contributing to a respectful, inclusive, branch culture.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including location. For candidates with preferences to work outside of the Canberra location, we specify, at minimum, the Director will travel to Canberra for key meetings, field trips and section planning.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
You will need to have an outstanding record of achieving results, a highly strategic, solutions-orientated approach, sound judgment, enthusiasm and the drive to achieve quality outcomes for the department, the Australian Government and for the environment and communities.

Skills and capabilities
To be successful in this role you will have the following:

Ability to think creatively and work constructively on complex problems, including under limited supervision.
Strong track record of leading teams to deliver high quality work, programs and/or policy outcomes.
Robust understanding of government processes and frameworks.
Demonstrated experience engaging with competing perspectives and in areas of contestability.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including confidence persuading, negotiating and finding resolution or pathways forward with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications
One or more of the following qualifications and/or experience is highly desired:

Water resource policy.
First Nations engagement and partnerships.
Technical water knowledge relevant to water licensing, surface water, allocations, regulations or riparian restoration works and monitoring.
Design and administration of Federation Funding Agreements.
Project/program management.
Experience delivering government commitments and priorities.
Experience creating government strategy.
Experience driving strategic government processes or reform

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.

Pre-employment Check – Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

Candidate Information Pack (Docx)

Candidate Information Pack (PDF)

Job Description