Overview
Sessional, Up to 5 years
As required, Not specified
Vic – various
$36,958 – $73,917
About the board
The Victorian water sector is leading in:
- Climate Action and Emissions Reduction: Victoria’s water sector is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to be net-zero by 2035 and protecting the state’s water resources from the impacts of a changing climate by delivering on the Water Cycle Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2022-26.
- Traditional Owner Self-determination: The Victorian Government is committed to Aboriginal self-determination and will commence formal treaty negotiations in 2023. Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap establishes a pathway to increasing Traditional Owner self-determination and decision-making in water management.
- Gender Equality: Women now make up at least 50% of new appointments to paid government boards.
The Victorian Government is committed to increasing diversity on water sector boards to encourage new ideas and reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community.
The VEWH is an independent statutory authority responsible for holding and managing Victoria’s environmental water entitlements (the Water Holdings). Reporting to the Minister for Water, the VEWH will make decisions on the most effective use of the Water Holdings, including use, trade, and carryover, to improve the environmental health of rivers, wetlands, and floodplains.
The VEWH consists of a minimum of three Commissioners, appointed for a term of up to five years by the Governor in Council on recommendation of the Minister for Water.
The VEWH will be required to develop and make publicly available:
- a corporate plan that outlines the strategies and policies it will follow to achieve its objectives;
- a seasonal watering plan outlining environmental watering priorities for a particular water season;
- seasonal watering statements that communicate watering decisions as they are made;
- an annual report that includes information about performance of its functions, powers and duties.
Further information on the VEWH and its recent activities can be found at www.vewh.vic.gov.au.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Victorian water sector, with four Commissioner positions including one Chairperson position that become available on 1 October 2023 on the VEWH.
Commissioners will be required to:
- Be a member of a Commission comprising other sessional members, to achieve the objectives, undertake the functions and exercise the powers of the VEWH, in line with statutory requirements and Ministerial rules.
- Make decisions on the most effective use of the water holdings, including use, trade, and carryover.
- Collaborate with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and regional waterway managers, storage managers and land managers to ensure effective environmental water management and delivery.
- Undertake formal stakeholder consultation processes to support decision-making.
- Meet obligations to account for and report on use of the water holdings and financial management.
The Commission generally meets nine times a year, however out-of-session discussions are expected. The Commission may choose to form a committee for specific topics, such as risk and audit. Commissioners may need to contribute additional time to a committee, for which they are eligible for additional remuneration under government guidelines.
Who we’re looking for
It is preferred that applicants reside in Victoria.
At least one of the positions will be filled by a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who is living in Victoria.
Applicants must have knowledge of or experience in one or more of the following:
- environmental management;
- sustainable water management;
- economics;
- public administration.
Experience or skills in one or more of the following areas is also desirable:
- Understanding Aboriginal traditional ecological knowledge, cultural values, and values associated with environmental water.
- Leadership: Communicates a vision that generates enthusiasm and commitment; identifies potential issues and setbacks and guides team to optimise outcomes.
- Resource Management: Guides and challenges team to continually strive for the best impact from resources invested; decisively manages financial issues and responsibilities; focuses on activities and projects that will bring the best long-term return for the organisation.
- Budget Management: Oversees development and management of complex budgets with multiple cost centre managers; anticipates and manages risks; ensures value for investment is achieved.
- Stakeholder Management: Identifies and manages a range of complex and often competing needs; finds innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues.
- Influence and Negotiation: Develops long-term, complex, and multi-phased plans to influence others; implements complex strategies to build buy-in and support from key internal and external clients or stakeholders; uses a variety of different influencing approaches tailored to different clients; effectively negotiates with clients/stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
- Strategic Planning: Inspires a sense of purpose and direction within context; understands the organisation’s current and future role; considers the ramifications of issues and long-term impact of work being done.
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, women, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people, and from people living in rural and regional Victoria.
Please note that current Commissioners of the VEWH are able to reapply through this EOI process.
What you need to apply
The standard process requires applicants to register an account on the Join a Public Board website prior to applying online.
When you apply for a board position, you will be asked to enter your personal details before moving on to a questionnaire. In the questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to outline your relevant qualifications and experience. Applicants must upload a current curriculum vitae with their application.
Applications close 11.59 p.m. Monday 27 March 2023.
For further enquiries or for assistance with accessing documents please contact the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action at water.governance@delwp.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186 or through the National Relay Service
