MLA’s Michael Crowley

WESTERN Australia’s southern sheep meat and grass-fed beef sector needs a new co-ordinator for its research, development and adoption activities.

Stakeholders in the state are now being encouraged to apply for the position of co-ordinator of the Western Australian Livestock Research Council, which gathers feedback on the RD&A needs of grass-fed beef and sheep meat producers and stakeholders across southern WA

The successful applicant is expected to be committed to the red meat sector and want to help drive research, development and adoption in southern Western Australia.

The WALRC was established by Meat & Livestock Australia in early 2015 to service stakeholders across southern WA. Northern WA producers from the Kimberley and Pilbara regions have input into RD&A priority-setting through the North Australia Beef Research Council.

MLA general manager – producer consultation and adoption, Michael Crowley said inaugural WALRC co-ordinator, Erin Gorter, was standing down from the position following the completion of her two-year tenure.

“Erin has made an outstanding contribution to WALRC in spearheading its work consulting with producers about where their levies should be directed and advising on strategic requirements and operational priorities for RD&A activities in the region,” he said.

“RD&A projects are now underway in southern WA that address the needs of producers as a direct result of the work undertaken by this important committee.

“WALRC, along with NABRC and the Southern Australia Meat Research Council fulfil a critical role as overarching bodies to collect grassroots producer feedback to help set regionally-relevant RD&A priorities,” Mr Crowley said.

“The WALRC co-ordinator is a pivotal and influential leadership role working with a wide cross section of producer groups, RD&A agencies and industry representatives from Western Australia’s sheep meat and southern beef industries.

“The role combines both the governance responsibilities of an executive officer and advocacy and leadership function for WALRC.”

Mr Crowley said applicants for the role must have proven skills and experience in sheep meat and/or grass-fed beef production and trading systems, strategic planning, and strong leadership qualities in working with industry peers and RD&A policy and service providers.

An understanding of, and confidence in, meeting protocols, corporate governance, media liaison and public speaking is also required. The position is a fixed-term contract for a period of up to two years, comprising up to 80 to 100 days per year, with delivery milestones and annual performance reviews.

Applicants should provide an expression of interest addressing the selection criteria and outlining their skills and experience to deliver the accountabilities of the role.

Applications should be submitted electronically to MLA program manager – consultation, Mary Goodacre, [email protected] by Sunday, April 23 2017 and should not exceed four pages. For more information and to view the selection criteria, visit www.mla.com.au/WALRC

Source: MLA.