Role Description
Manager Science Outreach
Cluster
Finance, Services & Innovation
Department/ Agency
Department of Finance, Services & Innovation (DFSI)
Division/ Branch/Unit
Better Regulation – SafeWork NSW
Classification/Grade/Band
Clerk Grade 11/12
ANZSCO Code
132511
PCAT Code
3221112
Date of Approval
March 2017
Primary purpose of the role
Lead and manage science outreach services to connect scientific research and scientists to workplaces
and WHS practitioners to support the successful implementation and operation of the SafeWork NSW
Centre for WHS. To create and implement bold, innovative science outreach strategies aimed at building
and strengthening uptake pathways for the research led by the Centre for WHS to change and inform safety
behaviour and practice.
Key accountabilities
 The translation of work health and safety research into policies, practices, harm prevention advice and
injury and illness interventions.
 Provide strategic leadership in the development of outreach strategies including the promotion of
research, data and intelligence, through networks and programs.
 Identify and execute opportunities to build awareness and support for the work of the Centre for WHS
through effective stakeholder engagement, and draw on behavioural insights and contemporary
techniques to develop effective knowledge placement campaigns
 Optimise the effectiveness of injury and illness interventions by challenging traditional approaches and
applying new insights from the current body of research
 Stay abreast of key public issues impacting the organisation, and the NSW community and in response
develop agile and forward thinking initiatives, products and services.
 Build and manage effective relationships with external suppliers and partners to get maximum value out
of limited resources and influence the uptake of outreach strategies.
 Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, to
negotiate project funding and actively seek input into the development of strategies and products
 Develop and lead the Science Outreach Team and culture to enable the successfully delivery of highly
respected services and business objectives
Key challenges
 Leading the setup of a critical function and concept, never practiced by the WHS regulator in NSW, while
responding to the demand for immediate turnaround of new services.
 Maintaining momentum on long-term strategic projects while continuing to respond to daily priorities
ensuring the team is agile, responsive and resilient in a changing environment with competing demands
 Developing and maintaining constructive relationships and optimising business outcomes given multiple
internal and external stakeholders with potentially competing interests
 Making sound decisions and exercising good judgement in the absence of complete information, and
simplifying complex subject matter for external audiences
 Staying abreast of public issues and other factors likely to impact the way the Centre for WHS
communicates externally
Key relationships
Who
Why
Internal
NSW Centre for
WHS Board
 Provide strategic level outreach advice and recommendations aligned to the science
communications and outreach strategy
 Present and provide information relevant to the role of the board
Executive
 Participate in meetings with, escalate sensitive issues and collaborate with to determine
approach on strategic issues
 Provide expert advice, reports, data and analysis and regular reporting on the status of
programs and initiatives
 Participate in corporate and business planning processes
Manager / Director

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
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Work Team
 Participate in meetings, present information on program status, sensitive and emerging
issues
 Leads cross functional projects, working groups and networks on an ad-hoc basis
 Inspire and motivate team, provide directions and manage performance
 Encourage team members to work collaboratively to achieve business outcomes
 Guide, support, coach and mentor team members
 Review work and proposals of team members
 Represent work group perspective and share information
 Lead meetings to obtain work group perspective and share information
 Support team members and work collaboratively to contribute to achieving the team
business outcomes
Corporate Service
providers including
Corporate
Communications
 Develop relationships to enable strong connections with corporate branding, media,
digital & communications while leveraging off existing services and capabilities
 Providing up to date information through ministerial services to ensure visibility, promotion
and awareness of initiatives.
Receive guidance and direction
Contribute to broader unit issues
Advise on program status, sensitive and emerging issues
Escalate issues, keep informed, advise
Provide advice, reports, data and analysis
External
Customers /
Stakeholders
 Develop and maintain effective working relationships and open channels of
communication
 Engage with, consult, provide and obtain customer insight relevant to initiatives
 Contribute to a client-focussed approach to service delivery
Role Description Manager Science Outreach
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Who
Why
 Manage the flow of information, seek clarification and provide advice and responses to
ensure prompt resolution of issues
 Address/respond to queries and provide solutions where possible, or direct query to
relevant area
 Negotiate outcomes and timeframes
Industry
professionals/
consultants
 Seek/maintain specialist knowledge/ advice and collaborate on the implementation and
delivery of science communication and outreach strategies
 Participate in forums, groups, to represent the agency and share information
 Participate in discussions regarding innovation and best practice
Other Government
Agencies
 Participate in meetings and represent SafeWork NSW perspective
Role dimensions
Decision making
This role has autonomy and makes decisions that are under their direct control as directed by their
Executive. It refers to the Executive decisions that require significant change to program outcomes or
timeframes or are likely to escalate. This role is fully accountable for the delivery of work assignments on
time and to expectations in terms of quality, deliverables and outcomes. This role submits reports, business
cases and other forms of written advice with minimal input from the Director.
Reporting Line
This role reports to the Director, Centre for WHS
Direct reports
This role has 2 direct reports
Budget/Expenditure
As per DFSI Delegations Manual
Essential requirements
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Tertiary qualifications relevant to the role
Satisfactory Criminal Record Check
Regular travel between Sydney and Gosford
Travel throughout NSW including overnight stays
Capabilities for the role
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework applies to all NSW public sector employees. The Capability
Framework is available at www.psc.nsw.gov.au/capabilityframework
Role Description Manager Science Outreach
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Capability summary
Below is the full list of capabilities and the level required for this role. The capabilities in bold are the focus
capabilities for this role. Refer to the next section for further information about the focus capabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Capability Group
Capability Name
Level
Display Resilience and Courage
Advanced
Act with Integrity
Adept
Manage Self
Adept
Value Diversity
Intermediate
Communicate Effectively
Advanced
Commit to Customer Service
Advanced
Work Collaboratively
Adept
Influence and Negotiate
Advanced
Deliver Results
Adept
Plan and Prioritise
Adept
Think and Solve Problems
Advanced
Demonstrate Accountability
Adept
Finance
Adept
Technology
Advanced
Procurement and Contract Management
Intermediate
Project Management
Adept
Manage and Develop People
Adept
Inspire Direction and Purpose
Adept
Optimise Business Outcomes
Adept
Manage Reform and Change
Adept
Focus capabilities
The focus capabilities for the role are the capabilities in which occupants must demonstrate immediate
competence. The behavioural indicators provide examples of the types of behaviours that would be
expected at that level and should be reviewed in conjunction with the role’s key accountabilities.
Role Description Manager Science Outreach
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NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
Personal Attributes
Advanced
 Stay calm and act constructively in highly pressured and
unpredictable environments
 Give frank, honest advice in the face of strong, contrary
views
 Accept criticism of own ideas and respond in a thoughtful
and considered way
 Welcome new challenges and persist in raising and
working through novel and difficult issues
 Develop effective strategies and show decisiveness in
dealing with emotionally charged situations, difficult and
controversial issues
Advanced
 Present with credibility, engage varied audiences and test
levels of understanding
 Translate technical and complex information concisely for
diverse audiences
 Create opportunities for others to contribute to discussion
and debate
 Actively listen and encourage others to contribute inputs
 Adjust style and approach to optimise outcomes
 Write fluently and persuasively in a range of styles and
formats
Advanced
 Promote a culture of quality customer service in the
organisation
 Initiate and develop partnerships with customers to define
and evaluate service performance outcomes
 Promote and manage alliances within the organisation and
across the public, private and community sectors
 Liaise with senior stakeholders on key issues and provide
expert and influential advice
 Identify and incorporate the interests and needs of
customers in business process design
 Ensure that the organisation’s systems, processes, policies
and programs respond to customer needs
Advanced
 Influence others with a fair and considered approach and
present persuasive counter-arguments
 Work towards mutually beneficial win/win outcomes
 Show sensitivity and understanding in resolving acute and
complex conflicts
 Identify key stakeholders and gain their support in advance
 Establish a clear negotiation position based on research, a
firm grasp of key issues, likely arguments, points of
difference and areas for compromise
 Pre-empt and minimise conflict within the organisation and
with external stakeholders
Display Resilience and
Courage
Relationships
Communicate Effectively
Relationships
Commitment to Customer
Service
Relationships
Influence and Negotiate
Role Description Manager Science Outreach
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NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
Results
Advanced
 Undertake objective, critical analysis to draw accurate
conclusions that recognise and manage contextual issues
 Work through issues, weigh up alternatives and identify the
most effective solutions
 Take account of the wider business context when
considering options to resolve issues
 Explore a range of possibilities and creative alternatives to
contribute to systems, process and business improvements
 Implement systems and processes that underpin high
quality research and analysis
Adept
 Prepare clear project proposals and define scope and
goals in measurable terms
 Establish performance outcomes and measures for key
project goals, and define monitoring, reporting and
communication requirements
 Prepare accurate estimates of costs and resources
required for more complex projects
 Communicate the project strategy and its expected benefits
to others
 Monitor the completion of project milestones against goals
and initiate amendments where necessary
 Evaluate progress and identify improvements to inform
future projects
Adept
 Initiate and develop longer-term goals and plans to guide
the work of the team in line with organisational objectives
 Allocate resources to ensure achievement of business
outcomes and contribute to wider workforce planning
 Ensure that team members base their decisions on a
sound understanding of business principles applied in a
public sector context
 Monitor performance against standards and take timely
corrective actions
 Keep others informed about progress and performance
outcomes
Think and Solve Problems
Business Enablers
Project Management
People Management
Optimise Business
Outcomes
Role Description Manager Science Outreach
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