Position Title: Scientist/Senior
Scientist (R6-R8) Animal Welfare, Farm Systems North
Reports to: Science
Team Leader, Farm Systems North
Group: Innovative
Farm Systems
Client(s): Internal
colleagues and external customers
Location: Current location
is Ruakura, Hamilton.
Planned location is Grasslands, Palmerston
North
at a date post January 2016 – actual date to be confirmed
Definition of Business:
AgResearch
is one of New Zealand's leading research organisations. We work for the benefit
of New Zealand, collaborating closely with industry partners to achieve the outcomes
they need. AgResearch’s purpose is to enhance the value, productivity and
profitability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sector
value chains to contribute to economic growth and beneficial environmental and
social outcomes for New Zealand.
The Farm Systems North Team is focused on providing research solutions in pastoral agriculture, particularly with respect to their production, environmental and
social performance including: animal welfare, pasture performance and farm systems.
Position Scope:
This role will lead one or more, multi-disciplinary projects delivering
high quality science outcomes, potentially across multiple areas of
specialisation, relevant to pastoral industry priorities in animal welfare. In
doing so, the job holder will identify and convert opportunities into
successful R&D proposals and outcomes. He/she will be well-connected with
industry stakeholders and have a sound understanding of the challenges that are
currently faced. There will be a specific focus on animal welfare issues in
dairy cow and goat as well as sheep and cattle industries
As this appointment could be made at three career levels (R6-R8)
individual placement and scope will vary dependent on skills and experience.
Purpose:
To consistently deliver/lead high quality research involving unique problems
and complex issues in alignment with the AgResearch Statement of Corporate
Intent.
Key Liaisons:
Researchers in other disciplines
within AgResearch and internationally. Scientists within the wider pastoral research
communities, both in New Zealand and internationally. Industry customers,
producer groups, farmers and other industry stakeholders.
Delegated Authority:
As per delegations policy
Key Result Areas:
The Scientist
shall act within some or all of the following Key Result Areas. Assessment of performance within these areas
will be at the Science Team Leader’s discretion throughout the year culminating
in a performance review in July.
Research Strategy and Delivery
·
Identifies new opportunities for delivering
R&D solutions of marked importance to the NZ economy, which have direct
commercial application and /or are of high strategic importance in advancing
scientific knowledge and theory.
·
Contributes to/leads the development of
successful funding proposals that attract significant revenue and offer
solutions to existing and new customers
·
Contributes to/leads work that provides
solutions to complex/unique problems and results in generation of new patents,
products, practices
·
Develops and implements integrated high
quality research and product plans; develops project budgets and ensures project
milestones are achieved within budgets.
·
Manages and meets customer expectations
and retains key customers by ensuring timely and responsive service
·
Displays a collaborative ethos,
including a ‘right teams’ approach that optimally draws on knowledge and
capability across the organisation to deliver the best possible outcome
·
Liaises and negotiates with outside
agencies, e.g. producer boards, universities etc resulting in funding,
collaborations, initiation of commercial ventures etc.
Scientific excellence
·
Consistently delivers high quality,
relevant research
·
Demonstrates science credibility by
publishing research in world leading journals, primary authorship of important
books, papers etc.
·
Contributes to the advancement of
scientific knowledge by presenting at conferences, serving on journal review
panels, chairing conference sessions etc.
·
Acts as a specialist advisor to
industry bodies and private sector companies.
·
Maintains an active involvement in the
wider pastoral, animal welfare and behaviour research communities which extends
recognition both nationally and internationally
Working with Partners and Stakeholders
·
Builds and maintains a strong culture
of partnership with stakeholders, focused on creation of impact in their
sectors
·
Works with Portfolio Leaders, Stakeholder
Relationship Managers, Science Group Leaders, Science Impact Leaders and other
Scientists to maintain strategic partnerships and generate new opportunities.
·
Shows innovative commercial ability to
secure new opportunities that enhance company profile and develop new
relationships that lead to significant funding/collaborative opportunities
·
Networks with and presents seminars to
industry stakeholders in the wider pastoral community.
Special Projects and Health and Safety
·
Undertakes special projects as and when
required
·
Ensures legislative compliance, (e.g.
Department of Labour, HSNO, EPA Animal Ethics) and appropriate data security.
·
Complies with Health and Safety
Policies as set by AgResearch and legislature and at all times have
consideration for the safety of themselves and others in the workplace
The person best suited to this position will possess the following:
Education/Qualifications
· PhD degree that includes substantial components of research work
relevant to their specialist area of science
Knowledge/Experience Required
·
Proven track record in a relevant agricultural
science area (including animal welfare), with a national reputation and at
least 3 years relevant post-graduate scientific experience
·
Excellent peer-reviewed publication
record
·
Proven delivery of outcomes to the agricultural
sector
·
Good understanding of the NZ pastoral industry
and key industry relationships
·
Wider experience in farm systems and
agricultural sciences would be valuable
·
Has background knowledge and in-depth
expertise in own specialist area. Able to provide thought leadership and
innovative solutions.
·
Uses good scientific methodologies for
all research, including literature searching; hypothesis-based experimental
design and statistical analysis; and follows rigorous development and
documentation procedures for research protocols. Has a good understanding of
intellectual property.
Competencies required
|
Competency
|
Definition
|
Key behaviours
|
|
Values focused
|
Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to AgResearch’s
Statement of Core Purpose and Statement of Corporate Intent as well as the
values encapsulated in The Way We Work principles.
|
·
Supports the
organisation
·
Operates with
integrity
·
Discloses own
position
·
Remains open to
ideas
·
Supports others
·
Maintains
professionalism
|
|
Communicating
|
Clearly and succinctly conveys
information and ideas to individuals and groups; communicating in an
influential, focused and compelling way that captures and holds others’
attention.
|
·
Delivers clear messages
·
Communicates with impact
·
Uses language appropriately
·
Ensures understanding
·
Influences others
·
Provides linkage to strategy
|
|
Collaborating
|
Develops and uses collaborative
relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of business goals
|
·
Stake holder focus
·
Identifies partnership needs Explores
partnership opportunities
·
Formulates action plans
·
Focuses on shared goals
·
Monitors partnership.
|
|
Decision
making
|
Identifies and understands
issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to
draw conclusions; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action
or developing appropriate solutions; takes action that is consistent with available
facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
|
·
Understands external environment Identifies
issues, problems and opportunities
·
Gathers and interprets information
·
Generates alternatives
·
Chooses and commits to appropriate action
·
Involves others.
|
Delivering
results
|
Translates strategic priorities
into operational reality; aligns communication, accountabilities, resource
capabilities, internal processes, and on-going measurement systems to ensure
that strategic priorities yield measurable and sustainable results
|
·
Translates initiatives into action
·
Implements a communication strategy
·
Creates accountability
·
Ensures skills and readiness
·
Aligns systems and processes
·
Tracks results
|
|
Committed
leadership
|
Provides
feedback, instruction, and development guidance to help others excel in their
current or future job responsibilities; plans and supports the development of
individual skills and abilities.
|
·
Leads change
·
Clarifies
performance
·
Provides timely
feedback
·
Conveys
performance expectations and implications
·
Evaluates skill
gaps
·
Guides
development
·
Fosters
developmental relationships
|
Values
Adheres to “The Way We Work” principles:
·
Maintaining Professionalism
·
Sharing Responsibility
·
Respecting Each Other
·
Being Fair
These values are our commitment to each other to foster and sustain a
positive, friendly and supportive workplace that nurtures excellence,
creativity and successful relationships.