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Form of work
SalaryWho we are:
The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is the national peak advocacy organisation for the banana industry. The ABGC represents the interests of Australian banana growers on all issues crucial to the sustainability and profitability of growers.
The TR4 Control Program:
In March 2015 Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4) was detected in Tully – a major banana growing region in north Queensland. Since this detection, the industry has been working with Biosecurity Queensland to contain the spread of the disease. TR4 is a soil-borne fungal disease that kills banana plants and if left unchecked will devastate the Australian banana industry.
Since 1 July 2023, following a 5-year transition period from government to industry, the ABGC is responsible for delivering effective disease management activities through the TR4 Control Program.
The position:
The ABGC is seeking an experienced professional to support the TR4 Program Manager and ABGC management in designing and implementing a program that suits industry’s needs.
The Program office is located in Morebsy, North Queensland, however applicants based in Brisbane, North Queensland or the Cassowary Coast region will be considered. Flexible working arrangements can also be negotiated.
Position responsibilities:
- Develop and implement the TR4 Control Program Management Plan which outlines how the ABGC will control and contain Panama disease tropical race 4 through effective and efficient activities.
- Explore and recommend models of Program delivery, including regulatory tools under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld).
- Work with the Program Manager to provide written and verbal advice to the ABGC CEO and Board, the TR4 Steering Committee - a Department of Agriculture and Fisheries-ABGC partnership group, growers and other stakeholders about issues relevant to the TR4 Program’s implementation and delivery.
- Develop documents for the ABGC such as business plans, workplans, annual budgets, quarterly reporting, policies and operating procedures to facilitate the TR4 Program’s implementation and delivery.
- Provide policy input into risk assessments that will underpin the successful implementation of industry leadership.
- Build relationships with banana growers to share information about their investment in the Program and the progress of industry leadership of TR4 disease management.
- Present an industry perspective to inform decision making by participating in forums and working groups.
- Deliver other ad-hoc projects and activities as required to support the TR4 program to industry leadership.
- Provide secretariat support to various steering committees and working groups.
Qualifications, knowledge and experience:
The successful candidate will be selected based on the following selection criteria:
- Experience in designing and managing complex projects on time and within agreed parameters.
- High level of initiative with the ability to successfully achieve high quality outcomes.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate and problem solve with a range of stakeholders on sensitive and complex issues.
- Demonstrated ability to form and maintain strong relationships with industry and government stakeholders.
- Excellent written skills across a range of communication products including reports, industry publications, records of meetings and options papers.
- Demonstrated experience in participating in high performance teams to achieve organisational goals.
- Knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, the north Queensland banana industry and biosecurity issues that currently impact it.
- Understanding of the legislation, regulations, guiding rules and principles of organisational and government strategy in the biosecurity policy area.
The successful applicant will also have:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications
- Experience in using Microsoft Office products
- A current ‘C’ driver licence
- Capacity to travel within and beyond far north Queensland, on occasion.
How to apply:
Applicants are requested to provide a cover letter in response to the selection criteria (of no more than 2 pages) as well as a current CV which is to include 2 referees’ names. Applications are to be emailed to ****@abgc.org.au by no later than 26 April 2024.
For further information, or a full position description please contact ****@abgc.org.au.
