The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is a globally unique organisation operating in a dynamic and complex environment under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982. ACIAR is a statutory agency within the Australian Government’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio. Our headquarters are in Canberra. Further information on our current projects, programs and priorities can be found at https://www.aciar.gov.au/.

ACIAR fosters international agricultural research-for-development partnerships between researchers, governments, civil society and the private sector. These partnerships aim to improve food security, reduce poverty and enhance environmental sustainability in partner countries.

ACIAR-supported research and capacity development programs contribute significantly to Australia’s International Development Policy, enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, building community
resilience and increasing science and policy skills of individuals and organisations in partner countries and in Australia.

In 2022, the Commission for International Agricultural Research initiated a mid-term review of the ACIAR 10-year strategy to ensure it was fit-for-purpose in light of the unfolding global food security crisis, ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and new food system challenges due to climate change and other global issues. The external review panel made several recommendations to reflect our changing world, and the revised ACIAR 10-Year Strategy 2018–27 was launched in October 2022.

The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of impact assessments framed within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the requirements of the Australian Government International Development Policy and ACIAR’s strategy. ACIAR is particularly focused on having impact in areas of climate change, nutrition, gender equity and social inclusion in international agricultural development. The Assistant Director will support the development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning framework for ACIAR to deliver government reporting requirements and inform investment decision-making.

The Assistant Director will be expected to foster and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders both within Australia and Internationally to commission impact assessments, integrate learnings and synthesise outcomes to inform future investments, and effectively communicate ACIAR’s impact and highlight ACIAR’s contribution to international agricultural development.

We are looking for a motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, sound judgement, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and proven capacity to deliver outstanding results across a range of different work areas.

The Assistant Director, Impact and Learning will be required to:

1. Manage ACIAR’s impact assessments and review commissioned impact assessments of ACIAR’s research and capacity development investments in alignment with ACIAR’s strategic direction.

2. Contribute to the development and implementation of effective frameworks and methodologies to evaluate ACIAR’s performance in delivering research and capacity development investments, ensuring these frameworks align with the Sustainable Development Goals, Australian Government International Development Policy and ACIAR strategy.

3. Collaborate with all areas of ACIAR to identify and manage the delivery of performance measures to contribute to government reporting and meet compliance and accountability requirements relevant to impact, including Portfolio Budget Statements, Corporate Plans, Annual Reports and climate finance reporting.

4. Collaborate effectively with ACIAR’s Outreach team and partners nationally and internationally to communicate ACIAR’s impact and contribution to international agricultural development and maximise impact by integrating learnings into current and future investments.

5. Develop evidence-based insights on the likely economic, social and environmental impacts of ACIAR’s research and capacity development investments to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.

6. Contribute to the development and implementation of policies related to ACIAR’s research and capacity development investment areas, integrating climate, gender and other cross-cutting issues and ensuring alignment with global best practices and Australian Government guidelines.

7. Supervise and manage staff to ensure an effective high performing team and foster a positive team culture by actively mentoring staff, providing on the job training, and continual support across the team as required.

8. Be an active member of the ACIAR team, supporting change management processes and promoting engagement across ACIAR to facilitate a safe, inclusive and high performing culture in alignment with APS values.

· - our successful candidate must be an Australian citizen

· - our successful candidate may be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance

After reading this “Information Pack” should you require additional information you
are encouraged to contact Katherine Martin - [email protected] or 02 6217 0561.

Our successful candidate will possess:

1. Expertise and experience in program design and management, especially in evaluating impacts from research and/or capacity development initiatives.

2. Proven ability to design and implement a monitoring, evaluation,reporting and learning framework to inform decision-making and future investments, and to drive the continuous improvement of systems and processes.

3. An understanding of the Australian Government’s International Development Policy, especially in relation to agriculture and food systems, and the ability to align investment and research activities with this agenda.

4. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and engage with a diverse range of Australian and international stakeholders, particularly in agriculture, natural resource and food systems development, or other relevant development areas.

5. Experience managing and supervising staff to deliver high-quality outputs and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a range of stakeholders including in diverse cultural contexts.

Desirable

1. Background in managing research investments (programs or projects).

2. Background in climate change, nutrition and/or gender and social inclusion.

3. An understanding of and/or an established network in the international agricultural development sector.

What we need from you

Tell us in 1000 words or less why you are the right person, what you can offer, and how your skills, knowledge, experience, and qualification are relevant to the role. Please note there are two options for uploading your pitch; you can input your pitch into the covering letter textbox or upload as an attachment (PDF preferred).

Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your resume but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

Please attach a concise resume (PDF preferred) to your application which clearly outlines your work experience, educational qualifications, and relevant skills.

In the application form you will need to provide the details of two referees who can attest and validate your credentials and suitability for the role.

For further information and to apply:

Assistant Director, Impact and Learning | ACIAR

Closing date: 2nd March 2025

NB: All ACIAR employees demonstrate a commitment to the APS Code of Conduct and Values, as well as to workplace diversity and occupational health and safety. It is also expected that ACIAR employees will have appropriatecross-cultural sensitivities

As world leaders in agricultural research, Australian scientists are well-placed to use their skills for the benefit of partner countries while at the same time contributing to solutions to meet Australia’s own agricultural challenges.

Australia's agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, which extend from the northern tropical regions, through semi-arid regions and into temperate zones, thrive while operating in highly variable and challenging climates with minimal market support and subsidies. The Australian innovation system has valuable knowledge and expertise to share with other countries whose farmers, rural communities, researchers and policymakers face similar challenges in their own food production and natural resource management systems.