Are you a visionary leader with a passion for shaping national policy for regulatory stewardship and animal welfare? This is your opportunity to influence Australia's animal welfare framework, reform regulatory practice, drive strategic reform, and represent our nation. The key duties of the position include As the Assistant Secretary, you will be responsible for: Overseeing activities that deliver evidence and science-based animal welfare policy and standards, facilitate trade, and provide reliable and balanced evidence-based advice. Leading the development of evidence-based strategic policy to enhance animal welfare, including the renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. Lead strategic reform and governance of the export regulatory system, driving legislative change, assurance frameworks, and continuous improvement. Strategically engaging and collaborating with key industry, state and territory officials, and non-government stakeholders to strengthen Australia's animal welfare system by understanding and addressing challenges and opportunities and developing measures based on the best available science and evidence, including maintaining a trusted relationship with the Minister and their Office. Engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen regulatory practice and performance and promote confidence in Australia's export system. Effectively representing the department at animal welfare related forums, including the Animal Welfare Task Group, a subcommittee of the Agriculture Senior Officials Committee, and the World Organisation for Animal Health. Promoting Australia's animal welfare credentials to support market access. Overseeing reviews of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock to ensure it is fit for purpose, practical and based on the best available science and evidence. Build capability and consistency across the department by embedding sound regulatory practices and supporting staff in lawful decision-making. Managing a diverse and geographically remote and dispersed workforce to be inclusive, respectful and positive. Managing and leading the branch consistent with Work Health and Safety responsibilities and obligations, the department's workplace behaviours policy, the APS Values and Code of Conduct, APS Employment Principles and the Secretaries Charter of Leadership Behaviours. Managing branch finances to agreed budgets and forecasts. To be successful in the role you will need to meet the Senior Executive Service capability for the SES Band 1 level, and you will have the following: Strategic leadership capability with a proven ability to drive regulatory outcomes, regulatory reform and provide assurance and governance over complex environments, including evidence-based policy. Highly developed management skills, including the ability to promote a high-performance culture, whilst ensuring employee wellbeing and delivering organisational goals. Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships across multiple levels of government, industry, non-government organisations, and international forums. The ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, be articulate and persuasive and capable of facilitating discussions to resolve often highly divergent and contentious matters. Strong analytical and decision-making ability, with experience in applying evidence-based approaches and solutions to improve regulatory systems and outcomes. The ability to prioritise and manage competing demands and tight deadlines. A record of delivering high quality financial management outcomes in a complex government environment. Demonstrated public service professionalism and probity. Demonstrated commitment to 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). Relevant policy and/or technical experience is highly desirable, including with regulation.