Role Description
Branch Head, Natural Sciences
Cluster
Justice
Agency
Australian Museum
Division/Branch/Unit
Natural Sciences
Location
Australian Museum
Classification/Grade/Band
Clerk Grade 11/12
Kind of Employment
Ongoing
Role Number
50036622
ANZSCO Code
132411
PCAT Code
2331192
Date of Approval
03 September 2015
Agency Website
http://australianmuseum.net.au/
Agency overview
The Australian Museum operates within the NSW Department of Justice and was founded in 1827 as the first
museum in Australia. The Museum provides access, engagement and scientific research to increase our
understanding of natural history and culture, particularly of the Australasian region. The Australian Museum
holds 18.5 million objects of biological, geological and cultural collections and develops programs, exhibitions
and activities onsite, online and offsite. The Australian Museum’s purpose is to make nature, Indigenous
cultures & science accessible and relevant to everyone.
The Science & Learning Division is comprised of the following three Branches: Life Long Learning, Natural
Sciences, and Science Services & Infrastructure. For further information about science at the Australian
Museum see http://australianmuseum.net.au/document/2014-2017-Science-Strategy.
Primary purpose of the role
The position is responsible for leading and managing the Branch that represents, cares for and develops the
Museum’s natural science collections, undertaking research on those collections and ensuring effective
implementation of the Museum’s Science Strategy. The position reports to the Director Australian Museum
Research Institute, Science and Learning.
Key accountabilities
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Provides leadership in the natural sciences, through commitment to the Museum's vision and goals and
translation of the Museum's agenda into operational plans and ensuring that own behaviour aligns with
the Australian Museum’s Code of Conduct, policies and procedures.
Implements plans and strategies that influence internal staff, external stakeholders and organisations
and effectively communicate objectives to staff and stakeholders.
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Demonstrates an excellent knowledge of standards, legislation, policies and procedures relevant to the
role and uses judgement and complex analysis of organisational issues to reach a solution.
Communicates work requirements, delegates responsibility, seeks ideas and feedback from staff to
encourage a team-based environment and monitors and directs multiple teams performing different
functions. Directs others in their research and provides authoritative advice.
Communicates with other teams and areas to coordinate activities and programs and to ensure
accuracy, relevance and appropriateness of information the Museum provides to the public.
Deliver influential presentations, facilitate audience dialogue, synthesise views and provoke further
discussion in the field of natural sciences and as relevant to the Australian Museum Science Strategy.
Prepare and manage the annual operating budget and monitor expenditure and cash flow for the
Branch.
Identify grant and other external funding opportunities relevant to the work of the branch.
Key challenges
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Manage a substantial work program including management of the staff across the various work units
as well as delivering services to research and planning for participation in exhibition and public program
development and delivery.
Explore opportunities for additional funding through grants, commercial activities and partnerships to
deliver services and expand capacity. Motivate, encourage and facilitate development programs for
staff to build their capacity in key areas
Ensure appropriate allocation of available Museum resources to activities, consistent with overall
corporate strategic priorities and government policy.
Key relationships
Who
Why
Internal

The position reports to this person

The position will also work closely with key support staff to the
Director AMRI, Science and Learning including the business and
grants officer, the AMRI, Science and Learning Project coordinator
Scientific Services and Infrastructure
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Working closely and collaboratively in areas of synergy and overlap
with this branch, including collection informatics, citizen science, the
Wildlife Genetics and Microscopy unit, the AM Research Library,
Lizard Island Research Station and the AM expedition program.
Branch Head Life Long Learning
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Facilitating close and productive relationships, between Education
Branch staff and those of other areas of the Museum.
Public Engagement & Culture

Facilitating close and productive relationship, ensuring any relevant
internal reporting is timely and accurate. Provide expert assistance in
developing public engagement activities.
Executive Leadership Team
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Coordinate meetings, share information and prepare responses and
reports
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Assisting the Director AMRI Science & Learning in drafting briefing
notes in areas relevant to the work of the branch
Director AMRI, Science and Learning
External
Department of Justice
Role Description Branch Head, Natural Sciences
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Who
Why
Natural History Museums and other
similar collecting institutions
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Promote cooperation, develop opportunities and identify best practice.
Australian Universities and Universities
overseas
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Develop and facilitate opportunities, partnerships and collaborations
in areas relevant to the work of the branch.
Role dimensions
Decision making
 The position holder has a high level of autonomy and is responsible for managing the operations of the
Branch including budget and plan strategies for a range of self-generated and external income streams.
 As a member of the Division’s senior management team, the position holder will contribute to strategic planning, budget
preparation, resource allocation, policy development, program evaluation and reporting for the Division as a whole.
Reporting line
The position reports to the Director AMRI, Science and Learning
Direct reports
Group Managers of Entomology & Archaeology, Geosciences, Ichthyology, Malacology, Marine Invertebrates
and Terrestrial Vertebrates.
Budget/Expenditure
Budget Responsibility: ca $5 million Staff: ca 50
Essential requirements
Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field of the natural sciences at the level of PhD or Masters.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in order to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus
Capabilities outlined in this Role Description.
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
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.
Role Description Branch Head, Natural Sciences
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NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Capability Group
Capability Name
Level
Display Resilience and Courage
Adept
Act with Integrity
Adept
Manage Self
Adept
Value Diversity
Intermediate
Communicate Effectively
Adept
Commit to Customer Service
Intermediate
Work Collaboratively
Advanced
Influence and Negotiate
Advanced
Deliver Results
Advanced
Plan and Prioritise
Advanced
Think and Solve Problems
Adept
Demonstrate Accountability
Adept
Finance
Intermediate
Technology
Adept
Procurement and Contract Management
Intermediate
Project Management
Adept
Manage and Develop People
Advanced
Inspire Direction and Purpose
Adept
Optimise Business Outcomes
Adept
Manage Reform and Change
Intermediate
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.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
Personal Attributes
Adept
 Be flexible, show initiative and respond quickly when
situations change
 Give frank and honest feedback/advice
 Listen when ideas are challenged, seek to understand the
nature of the criticism and respond constructively
 Raise and work through challenging issues and seek
alternatives
 Keep control of own emotions and stay calm under pressure
Display Resilience and
Courage
Role Description Branch Head, Natural Sciences
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NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
and in challenging situations
Personal Attributes
Adept
 Represent the organisation in an honest, ethical and
professional way and encourage others to do so
 Demonstrate professionalism to support a culture of integrity
within the team/unit
 Set an example for others to follow and identify and explain
ethical issues
 Ensure that others understand the legislation and policy
framework within which they operate
 Act to prevent and report misconduct, illegal and
inappropriate behaviour
Intermediate
 Support a culture of quality customer service in the
organisation
 Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the services provided
and relay to customers
 Identify and respond quickly to customer needs
 Consider customer service requirements and develop
solutions to meet needs
 Resolve complex customer issues and needs
 Co-operate across work areas to improve outcomes for
customers
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
Advanced
 Drive a culture of achievement and acknowledge input of
others
 Investigate and create opportunities to enhance the
achievement of organisational objectives
 Make sure others understand that on-time and on-budget
results are required and how overall success is defined
 Control output of business unit to ensure government
outcomes are achieved within budget
 Progress organisational priorities and ensure effective
acquisition and use of resources
 Seek and apply the expertise of key individuals to achieve
organisational outcomes
Adept
 Assess work outcomes and identify and share learnings to
inform future actions
 Ensure that actions of self and others are focused on
Act with Integrity
Relationships
Commit to Customer Service
Relationships
Influence and
Negotiate
Results
Deliver Results
Results
Demonstrate Accountability
Role Description Branch Head, Natural Sciences
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NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
achieving organisational outcomes
Exercise delegations responsibly
Understand and apply high standards of financial probity with
public monies and other resources
Identify and implement safe work practices, taking a
systematic risk management approach to ensure health and
safety of self and others
Conduct and report on quality control audits
Identify risks to successful achievement of goals, and take
appropriate steps to mitigate those risks
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Business Enablers
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
Advanced
 Refine roles and responsibilities over time to achieve better
business outcomes
 Recognise talent, develop team capability and undertake
succession planning
 Coach and mentor staff and encourage professional
development and continuous learning
 Provide timely, constructive and objective feedback to staff
 Address and resolve team and individual performance
issues, including serious unsatisfactory performance, in a
timely and effective way
 Implement performance development frameworks to align
workforce capability with the organisation's current and future
priorities and objectives
Project Management
People Management
Manage and Develop People
Role Description Branch Head, Natural Sciences
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