Who we are The Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD) safeguards Australia's plant health status to achieve, maintain and expand overseas markets while protecting the economy and environment. The division includes four branches which together focus on providing scientific analysis and technical advice, facilitating the safe importation of plants and plant products, improving systems, market access, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The division provides diagnostics, with advice on biosecurity risk and measures, and biosecurity training. The division conducts surveillance and response at first points of entry and approved arrangements sites nationally and delivers plant, animal and aquatic health surveillance in northern Australia. The division works closely with communities and Indigenous rangers and regulates biosecurity risk in the Torres Strait. Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) is comprised of scientists, operations and support staff responsible for regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, regulation activity in the Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy. The Indigenous Rangers and Business Management Unit engages Indigenous Rangers on a fee for service basis to undertake biosecurity surveillance activities, whilst building biosecurity capability and providing economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across northern Australia. The section also delivers the Business Management Unit (BMU) which provides corporate and strategic support across the SSG Branch. The Senior Program Officer - Business Management sits within the BMU and undertakes program and project support functions across the Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) The key duties of the position include The Job Duties include but are not limited to: Management and coordination of SSG corporate reporting. Proactive identification of risks and support preparation of control proposals. Secretariat services for high-level SSG meetings which entail scheduling and organising meetings, preparing agendas, papers, minutes, and reports, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders as required. Support coordination of SSG Strategic and Business Plan activities. Providing a range of support and advice for SSG process and/or reporting queries. Ad hoc projects as directed by SSG executive team. Management of coordination requests for SSG. Ad hoc procurement as required. Maintaining accurate records, reference materials, and business policies and procedures, to ensure that SSG is well positioned to respond to significant issues in a timely manner. Ensuring support provided to SSG is consistent with departmental and government policy, particularly in relation to contracts and procurement, the PGPA Act, the Public Service Act, WHS Act and other legislative provisions that might prevail. Establishing strong working relationships with SSG management.
