Assistant Secretary, Natural Resources Branch

Department of Education and Training of Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) invites a Senior Executive Service professional to lead the Natural Resources Branch. You will oversee four programs—forest and land sciences, fisheries science, land and water economics, and fisheries and forestry economics—driving policy insights and cross‑agency collaboration.

You will be part of ABARES executive, guiding research, modelling, and data to shape Australian policy in agriculture, forestry and

Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of issues affecting Australian agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
• Ability to shape strategic direction and drive policy.
• Proven leadership in multi‑disciplinary, high‑stake environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct research and analysis to provide policy insights across four programs.
• Represent ABARES in domestic and international forums.
• Oversee sustainability reporting for Australian forests and Commonwealth fisheries.
• Monitor economic performance of Commonwealth fisheries.
• Contribute to whole-of-government agendas and executive leadership.

Skills

Agriculture policy

Strategic leadership

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Diversity and probity

Education

Senior Executive Service capability for SES Band 1

Job description

• Senior Executive Service Band 1 per annum plus superannuation
• ABARES Division

For Commonwealth employees only
Employment Opportunity Type: Temporary higher duties opportunity or temporary transfer at level for up to six months

Who we are
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is the research arm of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. ABARES provides professionally independent research, analysis, forecasting and statistics on the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors to government and private sector decision-makers.

ABARES has a wealth of expertise in applied economic and scientific research, developing innovative modelling techniques, undertaking comprehensive surveys and developing internationally recognised data management processes. The bureau also provides integrated socio-economic and biophysical analysis to address the policy issues facing Australia's agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries today and into the future.

ABARES offers a unique opportunity to work in an environment supported by world-class economists and scientists developing insights into how to design better policy for Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. At ABARES, you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive workplace that gives you the opportunity to thrive.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is the lead agency for the food, fibre, fisheries and forestry sectors in Australia. We support the entire supply chain, helping to grow Australia’s economy and meet consumer demands both at home and in overseas markets. Our 5,500 employees work in a range of environments and locations around Australia from airports and abattoirs to laboratories and foreign countries daily to improve the value, productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector.

• Senior Executive Service Band 1 per annum plus superannuation
• ABARES Division
• Canberra- ACT

For Commonwealth employees only
Employment Opportunity Type: Temporary higher duties opportunity or temporary transfer at level for up to six months

Who we are
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is the research arm of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. ABARES provides professionally independent research, analysis, forecasting and statistics on the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors to government and private sector decision-makers.

ABARES has a wealth of expertise in applied economic and scientific research, developing innovative modelling techniques, undertaking comprehensive surveys and developing internationally recognised data management processes. The bureau also provides integrated socio-economic and biophysical analysis to address the policy issues facing Australia's agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries today and into the future.

ABARES offers a unique opportunity to work in an environment supported by world-class economists and scientists developing insights into how to design better policy for Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. At ABARES, you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive workplace that gives you the opportunity to thrive.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is the lead agency for the food, fibre, fisheries and forestry sectors in Australia. We support the entire supply chain, helping to grow Australia’s economy and meet consumer demands both at home and in overseas markets. Our 5,500 employees work in a range of environments and locations around Australia from airports and abattoirs to laboratories and foreign countries daily to improve the value, productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector.

The Job

As the Assistant Secretary of the Natural Resources Branch you will be leading and managing a group of about 50 highly skilled and multidisciplinary staff involved in the provision of applied economic and scientific research and policy briefing, including contribution to several whole of government agendas.

This role has responsibility to lead and direct research and analysis to provide policy insights across four programs:

• forest and land sciences
• fisheries science program
• land and water economics
• fisheries and forestry economics

This includes work such as:

• leading Australia’s scientific input in five Regional Fishery Management Organisations as well as in domestic fishery advisory bodies
• sustainability reporting on Australian forests and Commonwealth fisheries
• monitoring the economic performance of Commonwealth fisheries
• generating Australia’s regular land use and tenure datasets
• economic advice on water management in the Murray-Darling Basin
• land use modelling to inform Australia’s net zero policies

In addition, you will be a member of the ABARES executive team and will contribute to the leadership and running of the bureau more generally.

What we are looking for

To be successful for this role you will need to meet the Senior Executive Service capability for the SES band 1, and you will have the following:

• Detailed knowledge of issues affecting Australian agriculture, forestry and fisheries and experience in providing policy relevant analysis and advice.
• Demonstrated strategic perspective to shape the strategic direction of ABARES and its contribution to industry and government decision making.
• Strong track record in integrating economic and scientific research and analysis with policy decision making.
• Outstanding leadership skills with a substantial record of achievement and a reputation for innovation and delivery of results within a multi-disciplinary setting under competing demands in often complex and politically sensitive environments.
• Highly developed management and stakeholder engagement skills and ability to represent the department at a range of forums including with the media.
• Demonstrated commitment to promote diversity, model the APS Values, APS Employment Principles and promote compliance with the APS Code of Conduct and the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours (DRIVE)
• Demonstrated public service professionalism and probity.

Eligibility

To be considered for this role, you must be a current APS employee.

This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at the appropriate level for this position.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

Job Description Opens in new window