Position Title: Manager – Extension & Communications

Reports To: Senior Manager - Engagement & Corporate Business Services

Date: December 2019

1. Organisational Goals

BCG’s mission is ‘to improve the prosperity of Australia’s broadacre farmers through applied science-based
research, and extension’.

2. Position Purpose

The position has responsibility for leading, coordinating and implementing BCG Communications & Extension
objectives and enable the Project Managers to deliver the contracted outcomes.

3. Skills & Experience

QUALIFICATIONS - Formal qualifications in agriculture or related discipline.

- Postgraduate qualifications in agriculture or related discipline are favourable but not
a requirement for the position.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE - Strong understanding and working knowledge of grain growing, mixed
farming systems and rural communities.
- At least 5-10 years experience working in the agriculture sector having developed a
sound understanding of extending agricultural information to the farming community.
- Proven communication skills with farmers, industry partners and project teams as
well as strong personal oral presentation and report writing capability.
- A network of media and communications professionals with whom you have worked
to deliver projects.
- A strong industry network of researchers and agribusiness professionals that you have
worked with and might use for future collaborations.
- A proven track record in maximising opportunities with social media, online and other
relevant technologies.
- Delivery of a range of agricultural events.
- Demonstrated experience in providing strong leadership and management.
- Experience in providing strategic leadership and influencing and leading change in
organisations.
- Demonstrated business acumen.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills and an ability to influence others within the team
and organisation in a positive way.

1|P a g e
4. Position Requirements
Accountabilities or Major Objectives Measures (SMARTA)
Key Result Areas
(KRA) (The expected outcomes for each accountability) Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Realistic
Timely & Agreed

Strategy • Work with the CEO to develop a high-level strategy that includes: Contribute to the content
Development and delivery of the BCG
- Planning and laterally thinking of how BCG delivers value back strategic plan.
Support to its members though communication and extension activities
- Planning of how BCG presents itself to the wider community Disseminate operational
goals to the wider BCG
• Ensure the strategy/business plan is being monitored and goals and team and monitor and
timelines are being met. report progress against
• Support project applications, delivery and reporting. strategic objectives.

• Explore and test information delivery technologies and techniques for Provide high quality and
BCG events and activities. timely reporting against
strategic objectives to
• Deliver timely, technical and topical BCG content. the BCG Board as
requested.

Communications • Oversight and co-ordination of content identification, presentation, Ensure consistent and
distribution and recording of BCG communications. professional branding of
all BCG publications and
• Oversight and co-ordination of writing, recording and editing of for social media and that
various BCG publications. Including: information is factually
- BCG publications include BCG eNews, local and state print media, accurate, well written
press releases, the BCG Season Research results compendium, and in line with the
Technical Bulletin and Annual Report. strategic objectives.
In conjunction with the
• Oversight and co-ordination of BCG multimedia communications
Program Manager for
including:
Research, ensure project
- BCG website
and research publication
- Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
milestones are met.
- Podcasts
- Audio visual communications Ensure that BCG
members continue to
• Working with the BCG Research team to communicate project and receive value for money
research findings for their membership
- in accordance with contract milestones with ‘member-only’
- Member and other funder communications publications.
- Maximising promotion of BCG activities
Increase BCG’s social
• Developing emerging products and services including multimedia. media followers by 5% in
2020.
• Manage BCG photo and content libraries. E-mail signatures, signage,
corporate branding Maximise attendance at
BCG events.
• Facilitate staff training where appropriate.
Ensure BCG has a
cohesive and
professional corporate
image.
Organise relevant
training in
communication and
extension procedures as
identified.

2|P a g e
Extension & Event • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the agriculture Ensure BCG events
Management sector which is used to inform the planning, promotion, co- appeal to a wide
ordination and execution of high calibre agricultural events for demographic.
farmers in the Wimmera, Mallee and beyond. Ensure all project
• In conjunction with Project Managers ensure that the events deliver milestones and
against contracted requirements and kept within the negotiated and deliverables are met in a
agreed budget. timely and cost-effective
manner.
• Oversight of the event timelines, programs and logistics including on-
site management and facilities arrangements. Meet with the
Partnerships Co-
• Liaise with and support BCG Partnerships coordinator to ensure ordinator to deliver BCG
contractual obligations are met. communication and
extension requirements.
• Coordinate and support featured guests within event requirements.
Be upto date with new
• Provide reporting to event funding bodies.
relevant technologies.
• Utilise a range of delivery mechanisms were appropriate ie.
Work with the BCG WHS
Teleconference, slid.o, virtual reality etc.
Committee to ensure
• Manage the OHS aspects of events including compliance that risks are identified
requirements and risk assessments. and mitigated.
• Coordinate event evaluation Ensure event feedback is
collected and provided
to project managers as
requested for project
milestones.

5. Competencies
Core Competencies
Behaviour
Adheres to and demonstrates the set of Business core values
• Demonstrates high standards of integrity, honesty and fairness
• Acts as a role model imparting core values to others
• Gives specific, timely feedback to managers and others so they can work together more effectively
• Facilitates communication between others
• Works to reduce time necessary to get the job finished to the required standards
• Takes responsibility for decisions, actions and results
• Demonstrates a willingness to take on new challenges, responsibilities and assignments
• Displays respect and empathy to others
• Has good self insight, understands effect of behaviour on others

Achievement & Action

Focuses majority of energy and resources on projects and tasks that add value
• Organises work to deliver on time, to budget and agreed quality standards
• Makes good use of internal resources including systems, equipment, supplies, analytic tools, etc
• Manages a variety of responsibilities at the same time
• Steadfastly pushes self and others for results
• Finds the way to get the job done even when normal channels, materials and methods don’t work
• Continuously looks for ways to simplify and improve work systems and processes to achieve better results

3|P a g e
Key Competencies
K1. Developing, coaching and motivating
Coaches and develops the skills and competencies of the team for current job and future responsibilities through
personal attention and effort and training and development activities. Motivates the team and develops a feeling of
Directorship with the organization.
• Achieves results through others even if it takes time and extra effort
• Actively seeks opportunities to develop individuals
• Gives timely positive and negative feedback in behaviour rather than personal terms
• Gives personalized suggestions for improvement
• Enables opportunities for two-way discussions on development
• Encourages an attitude that a well-intentioned mistakes is a learning opportunity
• Encourages the team to contribute; recognizes, reinforces and rewards contributions
• Encourages individuals to own their own growth and development

K.2 Decision making and planning

Ability to establish efficiently an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal
• Makes effective decisions under the pressure of time and with limited information
• Takes a firm stance when necessary
• Gives clear direction and leads from the front whenever necessary
• Prepares thorough action plans, sets clear goals and objectives, monitors progress
• Recognises priorities and organizes self and others accordingly
• Identifies and adapts plans to meet changing organisation needs and/or deadlines
• Manages time effectively to achieve deadlines
• Involves employees in decisions affecting them

K.3 Continuous and focused self learning

Motivation to update, expand and use technical knowledge specific to his/her field
• Actively identifies own learning needs and opportunities
• Is effective in applying new learning in a work context
• Learns quickly when facing new problems
• Modifies behaviour in light of feedback
• Analyses both successes and failures to identify improvement points
• Accesses and uses other expert resources when appropriate

K.4 Application and sharing of skills

Earns credibility and influence through range of knowledge/experience, application of skills, sharing of expertise.
• Builds trust and credibility
• Shares own knowledge and experience
• Shares new information
• Seeks opportunities to help people with their technical problems or in technical performance improvement
• Evaluates experiences, learns from them and communicates insights so others can benefit
• Offers personal expertise without being asked

K5. Leadership
Creates a feeling of energy, enthusiasm and excitement around organisation goals
• Utilises appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to guide individuals or groups
• Builds and leads a high performing team and accepts responsibility for its actions
• Challenges the status quo, takes action to champion and sponsor change
• Involves team members in developing and committing to a common vision and strategy
• Shows consistency among principles, values and behavior
• Is visible, approachable, earns respect and inspires and shows loyalty

K6. Persuasion
Ability to develop and use effective plans and tactics to persuade others or to gain their support. Consistently acts with
confidence in various situations
• Makes a favorable first impression
• Quickly gains the respect of others
• Looks to sell ideas rather than impose them
• Presents information & solutions in a compelling, and inspiring manner
4|P a g e
 • Is assertive and persuasive as appropriate using logical arguments to convey ideas and gain commitment
• Adapts personal style to meet all situation, listening and reacting to other needs

K7. Client service

Focuses on both internal and external customers and develops understanding of the issues they face in order to identify
and meet their needs
• Invests time & effort to identify and understand the needs, requirements and concerns of others, by asking the
right questions, listening and confirming before acting
• Gives priority to meeting the needs of the customer
• Follows through on commitments made to internal and external customers
• Deals with customers as Directors, creating situation of mutual benefit
• Develops new ways to meet valid customer requirements and improve quality
• Deviates from the best technical solution in order to achieve the best fit with the customer’s real needs
• Has the confidence to challenge the customer

K8. Problem solving and analytical thinking

Solves difficult problems with effective solutions
• Gathers, analyses and evaluates all relevant information
• Seeks expertise, advice and perspectives from a variety of sources both within and outside the organization
• Involves others in identifying problems, opportunities and developing solutions
• Looks beyond the obvious (face value of a situation or set of facts)
• Probes assumptions
• Identifies time sequences, causal relationships
Weighs up a range of options (pros/cons) using the available data

K9. Teamwork – Working with others

The will and ability to work with co-operation across the Business and to focus on the common objectives. Participates
as a full member of a team of which he/she is not necessarily leader and contributes effectively even when the team is
working on something of no direct personal interest.
• Prepares and conducts effective meetings; establishes appropriate follow-up steps
• Works in a collaborative manner with people in his/her group and in other parts of the organization
• Supports others when requested
• Actively listens and responds to associates’ ideas, suggestions and concerns
• Maintains a balance between concern for people and concern for work results
• Communicates effectively with people at all levels in the organization
• Gathers and gives relevant information to others in a timely manner

K10. Delegation/Empowerment
Allocates effective decision making and other responsibilities to the appropriate subordinate or resource
• Communicates performance goals and standards so that team members understand expectations and how
they are linked to the vision, values and goals
• Delegates and assigns responsibilities after considering individual interests and abilities
• Connects people, processes and resources to take action toward goals and vision
• Monitors and evaluates the progress and results

K11. Integrity and Managerial Courage

Ability to promote social, organisation and ethical norms in job related activities
• Faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly
• Gives and receives straightforward, honest feedback
• Treats people fairly
• Respects confidences
• Respects and values differences
• Accepts responsibility for failure

5|P a g e