Following the appointment of Dr Chris Parker as interim Chief Executive Officer of the APVMA in May 2017, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said that a comprehensive merit-based recruitment process was now underway.

“As part of the Coalition’s decentralisation agenda to bring more jobs and services to the regions the appointment of a permanent CEO, to be based in Armidale, will provide new leadership and fresh ideas for Australia’s regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemicals,” Minister Joyce said.

“The Coalition Government is looking for a suitably qualified person to inspire the APVMA’s workforce, with strong skills to motivate, empower and lead change and who is committed to forging a stronger connection with regional Australia.

“It’s a big job, but I know that there is somebody out there who is just as committed as I am to delivering long overdue improvements to the APVMA’s performance and improving access to agricultural and veterinary chemicals for Australian farmers.

“Based on the incredible interest we received for the two Armidale based jobs advertised last month, which attracted more than 30 applications, I would expect a very strong response again as we continue our decentralisation program to grow jobs in regional Australia.

“Strengthening Armidale’s agricultural science focus is already realising positive outcomes. Two new regulatory science post-graduate degrees have already been established by the University of New England, which will deliver a ready source of highly qualified future staff for the APVMA.

“I look forward to progressing this work to ensure our regions can build resilience and thrive into the future through the economic diversification.”

Applications close at 5pm on 3 July 2017.

To find out more and for a copy of the candidate pack – visit derwentexecutive.com.au and search for reference 22338.