Directors - Post Award And Discovery Programs

Description:

About the Positions
The ARC is looking for enthusiastic, professional and strategically focussed directors with strong interpersonal and organisational skills to lead the Post Award and Discovery Programs teams in the Research Programs and Services Branch.
The Research Programs and Services Branch administers grants for the ARC National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), as well as delivers programs on behalf of other Commonwealth agencies. Our work spans the entire grants lifecycle, from program design through to competitive selection processes and management of grant agreements.
As part of the Research Programs and Services Branch leadership team, there are ongoing opportunities to contribute more broadly to strategic projects and continuous business process improvements.
These positions require high level project management, stakeholder engagement, risk management, communication and leadership skills, as well as a sound understanding of the Australian Government Grants Framework. You will translate ARC strategic direction and key priorities into action, working with a small team to deliver key outcomes and identify ongoing opportunities for improvement.
The Director Post Award is responsible for providing leadership in post award grants management. This includes establishment and variations to grant agreements, assurance and compliance activities, reporting, and setting grants management operational policy.
The Director Discovery Programs is responsible for providing leadership in pre-award grants management. This includes implementing grant guidelines, developing application forms, managing the peer review process and funding outcomes.
Both positions include engaging with research sector administrators and grant participants to provide advice and build understanding of ARC requirements and processes.
The key duties of the position include
Key Duties and Tasks

• Strategically lead and manage a team with expertise in program management and grants delivery.
• Manage programs in accordance with relevant legislation, rules, processes and frameworks.
• Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders to build mutually beneficial and effective relationships.
• Identify, establish and implement new business system improvement initiatives.
• Manage and implement cultural and procedural change with a customer focus.
• Manage pre-award processes (Discovery Programs) and grants (Post Award) within an assurance framework, monitoring risk, escalating matters as required.
• Provide high quality advice to the Branch Manager and other Senior Executive regarding the work of the team, including preparing highly complex written briefs and reports, drafting Ministerial briefs and providing input to parliamentary requests.
• Supervise and mentor employees for high performance, by providing regular feedback and supporting the continual development of employee capability.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong awareness of Commonwealth Grants administration, ARC legislative requirements and strategic context.
• Knowledge of program/project management methodologies and the ability to apply appropriate principles, practices and controls relevant to organisational needs.
• High level organisational skills and demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams to achieve desired outcomes and support the staff performance and development.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, communicating with influence and building shared understanding.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interpret and synthesise complex information to suit the needs of different audiences.
• Sound judgement and risk awareness, with the ability to take a balanced and considered approach to decision making.

Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is an effective conduit between the research sector and the ARC, communicating effectively with a variety of stakeholders to create a shared vision. You are an innovator, adept at improving ways of working to achieve better outcomes. You ask questions, share ideas, embrace opportunities and connect your team to the 'the big picture'. You can bring out the best in others and contribute to building a positive and productive culture. You display personal drive and integrity, adapting to change, embodying APS values and demonstrating commitment to the APS Code of Conduct.
We are looking for someone who is:

• Enthusiastic - You will be motivated and will motivate the others. You bring personal drive and integrity to all aspects of your work and demonstrate clear commitment to the goals and purpose of the ARC.
• Collaborative - You are an effective communicator and build productive relationships. You can find common goals and co-design solutions to achieve outcomes. You readily share information and drawn on the knowledge, ideas and expertise of others.
• Proactive - You show good judgment, can prioritise, and respond quickly as priorities emerge. You are accountable for your areas of responsibility and understand its connection to the broader operating environment.

What you'll gain from the experience
As part of the Research Programs and Services branch leadership team, you will shape a culture of innovation, performance and achievement. You will help shape organisational strategy and support diverse teams to coalesce around shared goals. Our work environment is flexible and supports development and mobility.
You will work under broad strategic guidance, allowing you to take ownership of your outcomes and achievements. You will build understanding of Commonwealth grants administration, ARC operations and the Australian research sector.
About our team
At the ARC we contribute to growing knowledge and innovation for the benefit of the Australian community. The ARC is a small, dynamic agency with a dedicated and talented cohort of people. We are known for our high-quality grants administration, research policy advice, powerful data assets, and role in fostering research quality, translation, impact, and integrity.
The advertised positions sit within the Research Programs and Services Branch which oversees the delivery and administration of the NCGP, including grant applications and processes, funding variations, program design and engagement, reporting and compliance. The Branch also manages the ARC's Research Management System and provides a service delivery model to other government funding programs, including pre- and post-award administrative activities, through Research Grants Services.
Diversity and Inclusion
We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds including but not limited to; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, people with a disability, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.
The ARC expects all staff to understand workplace diversity, workplace participation, a safe working environment and access and equity principles, and to promote these principles in the development and implementation of policies and programs.