Senior Management Officer in Canberra

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) aims to provide ecologically sustainable and economically efficient Commonwealth fisheries, through understanding and monitoring Australia’s marine living resources and regulating and monitoring commercial fishing, including domestic licensing and deterrence of illegal foreign fishing.

The Fisheries Management Branch is responsible for developing & implementing policies, management arrangements & administering research & stock assessment processes which are consistent with AFMA’s legislative objectives for fisheries.

The Tuna and International Fisheries section relates to fisheries that are managed through international bodies, known as Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). The Senior Management Officer is part of a team of fisheries regulators responsible for regulation of relevant Australian domestic fisheries in line with the decisions of RFMOs and consistent with Australia’s fisheries legislation. The team also contributes to whole of Government positions and strategies at regional and international meetings. The team liaises closely with other Government departments, research organisations, industry associations and other stakeholder groups on key issues relating to the international management of these fisheries.

In addition to meeting the work level standards of the position classification, as an APS Level 6 Senior Management Officer, you will:

• In consultation with supervisors, develop and implement fisheries regulation and policies, ensuring all decisions and obligations are completed effectively and within statutory timeframes where relevant.
• Undertake analysis and evaluation of a range of information to prepare briefing material to inform supervisors, decision makers, and advisory committees on matters relevant to the regulation of fisheries.
• Prepare advice and recommendation briefs for supervisors and decision makers having regard for relevant policies and analysis of a range of information.
• Apply a sound understanding of the relevant government policies and AFMA legislation.
• Lead stakeholder engagement through written, online and face-to-face activities. Key stakeholders include industry, research organisations, non-government organisations, and officers from State and Commonwealth departments.
• Contribute to policy development, project management, stakeholder engagement and business improvement activities.
• Provide Executive Officer services to AFMA-led advisory committees.

Our ideal candidate is someone who demonstrates the following capabilities:

• Ability to foster and sustain productive working relationships with their teams, supervisors and stakeholders, and contribute to a culture that is inclusive, supportive, collaborative and resilient.
• Ability to think strategically, identify effective solutions using sound judgement and progress work with minimal direction.
• Good organisational skills, including the ability to effectively prioritise and manage competing tasks to meet deadlines within a dynamic and busy working environment.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to lead conversations with a variety of different stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication skills including the ability to research, critically analyse information, and write concisely.
• A commitment to learning and self-development and ability to understand the impact of their behaviour on others.

Desirable: Has qualifications and/or relevant experience in fisheries management or natural resource management.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this role applicants must:

• be an Australian citizen;
• have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Baseline security clearance; and
• satisfy the requirements of an Australian Federal Police Check.

Applications for this role close at 11:59pm (AEST), Tuesday 3 November 2026.