GRDC Regional Panel MemberApplicant information and application form

2017

Contents

Regional Panel Members...........................................................................................................3

Overview...........................................................................................................................3

The GRDC....................................................................................................................................4

Purpose.............................................................................................................................4

Structure...........................................................................................................................4

The Northern Region.................................................................................................................4

The Southern Region................................................................................................................5

The Western Region..................................................................................................................5

Regional Panels..........................................................................................................................5

Roles and responsibilities of the Regional Panels..................................................................6

Remuneration… ………………………………………………………………………………………..6

Period of appointment and time requirements........................................................................6

Conflicts of Interest....................................................................................................................6

The Application Process............................................................................................................7

Regional Panel Member Application Guidelines...…………………………………...………. ……....8

Regional Panel Member Application Form.……………………………………………...…….…10

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 2

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 3

Applicant Information

Regional Panel MembersOverview

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is one of the world’s leading grains re-search investment organisations linking science, technology and its commercialisation with industry and community needs.

The GRDC’s purpose is to invest in Research Development and Extension (RD&E) to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.

To deliver on this purpose GRDC must have strong engagement with Australian grain growers to assist GRDC in ensuring the research, development and extension portfolio is aligned with the needs of growers. The regional panels are critical to GRDC delivering on purpose.

The GRDC recognises variations in local conditions throughout all grain growing regions of Aus-tralia and therefore has established three Regional Panels to cover the northern, southern and western grains regions. Panel members’ combined skills and experience in growing, researching, processing grain and farm business management provides the GRDC with a valuable network to draw out local, regional and national grains industry issues. The GRDC considers the appointment of members to the Regional Panels as crucial to the GRDC’s success

The Panels work with GRDC management to help guide the research, development and extension activi-ties both within each region and nationally.

The GRDC Board is seeking applications from individual grain growers, researchers, farm advisers and/or consultants or broader grains industry participants for appointment to each of its Northern, South-ern and Western Panels, effective 1 September 2017. Appointment to these part-time positions will ini-tially be for two years.

Applications are invited from candidates with the following skills, knowledge and experience:

Extensive knowledge of the Australian grains industry, particularly in the areas of production, pro-cessing, trade, marketing, research, extension and/or communications

Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate with growers, advisers, sci-entists and agribusiness both on an individual level as well as in a group situation

Demonstrated ability to network (please include details of the geographic coverage of existing networks)

Well-developed conceptual and strategic thinking skills Demonstrated understanding of the finance and investment management practices, tools and

performance indicators used in modern agricultural businesses Demonstrated ability to work constructively in a team Demonstrated interest and involvement in research, development or extension in the grains in-

dustry and an awareness of strategically important issues for the grains industry.

Written applications addressing the relevant fields of expertise listed above must be accompanied by a brief curriculum vitae that includes career, personal details and the names of two referees with their con-tact details. Applications should not exceed four (4) pages.

Details outlining how to apply are in the Application Guidelines on page 8. Applications close on Tuesday 4 July 2017.

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 4

The GRDCThe Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is one of the world’s leading grains re-search organisations, responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.

Purpose

“To invest in research, development and extension to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.

Structure

The GRDC was established in 1990 under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Develop-ment Act 1989. This legislation allows for the collection of levies from 25 crops at 0.99% of net farm gate value. This is matched by the federal government to 0.5% of value. In recent years total RD&E ex-penditure has been close to $200 million. GRDC is a statutory corporation and resides in the Australian government’s agriculture portfolio.

The GRDC does not undertake research, development and extension rather it partners with other organ-isations to deliver outcomes to Australian grain growers.

The GRDC is based in Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Toowoomba and Dubbo and currently has approxim-ately 65 staff and operates under the direction of a Board of nine directors.

To ensure close engagement with grain growers as well as delivering locally and regionally relevant RD&E, the GRDC partitions its investment portfolio into three roughly similar value (levy) regions that also have different agro-ecological drivers and issues. The three GRDC regions are the Northern region encompassing Queensland and New South Wales, the Southern region encompassing South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, and the Western region is represented by the state of Western Australia.

The Northern Region

The Northern Region encompasses Queensland and New South Wales, is the most climatically diverse of the three regions. The climates in the main grain belt range from winter-dominant temperate to sum-mer-dominant subtropical.

The region also has the highest diversity of production, including all 25 leviable crops, as well as the highest percentage of mixed farming systems (livestock, cotton, rice and sugar). Chickpeas have be-come a very important profit driver in recent years in the northern parts of the region. Canola is likewise an important profit driver in the southern parts of the region.

An increased focus on crop rotation, farming system management, water use efficiency and stubble re-tention has resulted in more profitable and lower risk systems over time, though the region is still charac-terised by highly variable yields.

This region has relatively high seasonal rainfall and production variability, and both summer and winter crops are an important feature of the farming system particularly in northern NSW and Queensland. Winter crop production in the sub-tropical parts of the region relies very much on conservation of soil moisture arising from summer rainfall.

The Northern Region is the largest source of Australia’s premium hard high-protein wheat for export and domestic use. Grain growers in the region are also major suppliers of feed grain to livestock including a large feedlot industry. 2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 5

The Southern Region

The Southern Region includes South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria and encompasses a wide range of soils and agro-climatic zones. Soil fertility varies from highly fertile soils through to water-repellent sands, from highly alkaline to highly acidic and with some areas affected by subsoil constraints including boron and aluminium toxicity. Rainfall is winter dominated and varies substantially across the region. The north-western parts of the region are characterised by frequent drought conditions while waterlog-ging is an important and frequent constraint in the southern parts of the region.

Yield potential is highly dependent on in-season winter and spring rainfall. The conservation of soil moisture from summer and autumn rainfall events is a key focus. Spring temperatures are also an im-portant determinant of yield potential.

Major crops include wheat, barley, grain legumes and canola. Lentils have become a very important profit driver in the more reliable and productive parts of the region. Crop production systems and rota-tions are highly varied and include intensive continuous cropping systems and mixed farming enterprises (livestock and hay). While South Australia is very much an export-dominated area the domestic feed market is very important in large parts of Victoria and Tasmania particularly for the dairy industry.

The Western Region

The GRDC’s Western Region comprises the cropping areas of Western Australia, where soil fertility is generally low, and productivity largely depends on winter and spring rainfall. Sub-soil issues such as acidity, sodicity, non-wetting, compaction, and forest gravels are common constraints in the western re-gion. Spring radiation frost, weed control including herbicide resistance are important barriers to early crop establishment. The capacity for grain growers to establish crops early in the growing season is a major profit driver in western region.

Long-term variability in seasonal rainfall and production in coastal areas is lower than in the Northern and Southern regions.

In many areas, yields are low by world standards; this is compensated to some extent by the large eco-nomies of scale and high degree of mechanisation of WA grain production enterprises.

Wheat, barley, oats, canola and lupins are the dominant crops, and livestock enterprises in mixed farm-ing systems are generally less important than in the other regions.

The region exports more than 85% of its grain production.

Regional Panels

The combined skills, knowledge, and experience of panel members provide GRDC with a valuable net-work to draw out and evaluate local, regional and national grains industry issues. GRDC considers the appointment of members to the Regional Panels as crucial to it being able to deliver on its purpose of creating enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.

The regional panels are composed of grain growers, agribusiness representatives, researchers and the GRDC’s executive managers, with provision for other industry experts to participate as appropriate. Panel members are contracted to carry out their roles and are not employees of the GRDC.

Information on current panel members is available from the GRDC’s website and YouTube channel.

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 6

Roles and responsibilities of the Regional Panels

Panel members are appointed to represent their region in identifying and prioritising RD&E investments. The main functions of the GRDC Regional Panels are to:

Provide advice to the GRDC, through the National Panel, on regional investment priorities

Make recommendations to the GRDC, through the National Panel, on the allocation of RD&E investment budgets

In collaboration with GRDC staff to facilitate awareness of GRDC investments and re-search outcomes.

In collaboration with GRDC staff will contribute to idea capture and development of priori-ties.

The core Panel functions are mostly delivered through Panel meetings and specific research area forums. A timetable of GRDC processes and key meetings is maintained by the Panel Secretar-iat.

A regionally based Panel Secretariat supports the activities of each Panel but is not a member of the Panel. The Secretariat has responsibility for coordinating panel activities, taking minutes, col-lating priorities and providing information to the Panel.

Remuneration Sitting fees for the role of Regional Panel Members will be $659 per day as set by the Remuneration Tribunal.

Period of appointment and time requirements

Regional Panel Members will be appointed initially for a period of two years from 1 September 2017.

All Panel Members are engaged by the GRDC under contract as members of one of three of the corpor-ation’s advisory panels.

Successful candidates would be required to commit to and have the capacity to be able to meet the time requirements of between 20 and 40 days per annum to carry out the role. Candidates should clearly in-dicate the minimum time that they are able to commit to the role if they are successful.

Conflicts of Interest

It is recognised that there are degrees of conflict of interest, and the action taken should be appropriate to the situation.

GRDC employees, directors and Panel members must seek to avoid conflict between their obligations to the GRDC and other individuals or organisations. Where a potential or actual conflict arises it is to be de-clared and managed in accordance with GRDC internal operating procedures.

A GRDC employee, director or Panel member can have:

an actual or potential conflict; or

a perceived actual or potential conflict between:

his or her duty to act in the GRDC’s best interests; and

some other interest of, or duty owed.

This includes, but is not limited to, the existence of a material personal interest in a matter that relates to the GRDC’s affairs. All GRDC employees, directors and Panel members must disclose a material per-sonal interest in an item where they have a conflicting interest or duty that is significant enough to divide their loyalties. This would include an interest in or duty to another entity that interferes with the person’s 2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 7

ability to bring independent judgement to bear, or where there would be a reasonable perception of such a conflicting interest.

Material personal interest includes:

direct pecuniary interests where the person, their employer’s or immediate family business interests are affected and

material non-pecuniary interests, for example, when a person is an office-holder or employee of an industry association representing members whose interests are directly affected.

Some examples of situations where a conflict of interest might occur include:

placing a GRDC contract with a relative

having an interest in organisations doing business with the GRDC

having another job that affects the person’s ability to perform their GRDC role.

Panel Members and their institutions are not precluded from applying for GRDC investments, but any po-tential conflict of interest must be declared.

The Application Process

The format for your application is flexible however your submission should be easy-to-read, accurate, concise and informative and be submitted as a word document. You may include other documents to support your application.

The Regional Panel Member application form is included as a pdf as well as a separate word document.

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application.

Interviews

Applicants should be prepared to attend an interview with the Panel Selection Committee. Any travel costs relating to the interview process will be paid for by the GRDC. The successful applicants will re-ceive an induction from GRDC personnel as soon as possible after appointment.

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 8

Regional Panel Member Application Guidelines

GRDC Regional Panels

Across Australia there are three Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Regional Panels representing the principal cropping zones – northern, southern and western regions. The Panels work with GRDC management and provide advice about research, development and extension investments to the corporation.

Panel members’ combined skills and experience provide the GRDC with a valuable network to draw out local, regional and national grains industry issues. The GRDC considers the appointment of members to the Regional Panels as crucial to the GRDC’s success and its ability to deliver on its purpose.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for grain growers, researchers, farm advisers, agribusiness consultants and other grains industry participants from the broader grains community.

Candidates are to demonstrate: Extensive knowledge of the Australian and/or international grains industries, particularly in the

areas of production, research, development, extension and communications

Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with growers, ad-visers, scientists and agribusiness both on an individual level as well as in a group situation

Demonstrated ability to network (please include details of the geographic coverage of existing networks within the GRDC’s three regions)

Well-developed conceptual and strategic thinking skills

Demonstrated understanding of the finance and investment management practices, tools and performance indicators used in modern business practice

Demonstrated ability to work constructively in a team

Demonstrated interest and involvement in research, development or extension in the grains in-dustry and an awareness of strategically important issues that are current.

Application form

The actual application form (not to exceed four pages) is to be signed and marked confidential and be submitted to the GRDC as follows:

1. Electronic: Email both the signed application form in word format and the your Curriculum Vitae and any other documents to support your application as separate attachments to panels@grdc.-com.au or fax to 02 6166 4599 – please ensure that the name of the emailed documents and the email subject line, incorporate the applicant’s name and also include in the email/fax heading: Panel Selection Committee and applicant name

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 9

2. Hard copy: GRDC requires a signed copy of the application. A hard copy of your signed applica-tion form and curriculum vitae are to be submitted to:

o By Post (pls ensure enough time is allowed to reach GRDC prior to 4 July 2017)Panel Selection CommitteeGrains Research and Development CorporationPO Box 5367KINGSTON ACT 2604

o By CourierPanel Selection CommitteeGrains Research and Development CorporationLevel 4 East Building4 National CircuitBARTON ACT 2600

BOTH THE ELECTRONIC AND PAPER COPIES MUST REACH THE GRDC BY 5.00PM AUS-TRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD TIME (AEST) TUESDAY, 4 JULY 2017.

Further information on Regional Panel recruitment can be found on GRDC’s website at www.grdc.com.au/vacancies or contact Kevin Norman, GRDC General Manager – Growers Business Group via email on panels@grdc.com.au

Please note: No late applications will be accepted

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 10

Regional Panel Member Application Form

PERSONAL DETAILSTitle First Name:     Surname:      Postal Address:      

Suburb: State: Postcode:      

Phone Number: ( )       Fax Number: ( )       Mobile:      Email:      Date of Birth: / /   Please indicate which Regional Panel you are applying for:

SELECTION CRITERIAPlease note: The GRDC does not expect all applicants to be highly competent in all areas of the selection criteria.

1. Extensive knowledge of the Australian and/or international grains industries, particularly in the areas of production, processing, trade, marketing, research, extension and/or communications

  2. Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with growers, advisers, scientists and agribusiness both on an individual level as well as in a group situation

    3. Demonstrated ability to network (please include details of the geographic coverage of existing networks within the GRDC’s three regions)

4. Well developed conceptual and strategic thinking skills   

5. Demonstrated understanding of the finance and investment management practices, tools and performance indicators used in modern agricultural businesses

    6. Demonstrated ability to work constructively in a team

7. Demonstrated interest and involvement in research, development or extension in the grains industry and an awareness of strategically important issues that are current for the grains industries

  8. Please explain why you have chosen to apply for a role as a ‘GRDC Regional Panel Member’?

    

QUALIFICATIONS/ AREAS OF EXPERTISECurrent Position/ Professional Activities:      Relevant Qualifications*:   

* Please note: A copy of your Curriculum Vitae must be submitted as part of your application.

Please ensure that you include any areas of expertise such as:- Agronomy

- Grain Storage- Weeds - Pests - Pathology

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 11

- Farming Systems- Soils- Nutrition

REFEREE DETAILS

1 Title: First Name:       Surname:      

Position:      Institution:      Phone Number: ( )      Fax Number: ( )      Email:      

2 Title:       First Name:       Surname:      Position:     Institution:      Phone Number: ( ) Fax Number: ( )      Email:     

DECLARATION

I, the applicant declare that the information supplied by me on this form is complete, true and correct in every particular.

I authorise the GRDC to obtain from my nominated referee details any details that would be relevant to my application for a role as a GRDC Regional Panel Member.

I understand that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code (Commonwealth) and that my application will not be processed if I have not provided all documents and information requested on this form or as set out in the application guidelines.

         Signature of Applicant Date  

    Name of Applicant

GRDC USE ONLY GRDC Reference Number:      

Application ChecklistHave you filled out all sections of the form?Have you attached a copy of your curriculum vitae? Have you e-mailed a copy of the application and any attachments to panels@grdc.com.au? Please note: the name of the emailed documents should incorporate the applicant’s name.Have you posted a signed copy of the application and supporting documentation?

2017 GRDC Regional Panel Member Applicant Information 12