Director sought for new SA drought hub

Director sought for new SA drought hub

The University of Adelaide, as part of an extensive collaboration with industry and the State Government, will lead a new South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SA Drought Hub). The SA Drought Hub will undertake research, development, extension, adoption and commercialisation activities to improve drought resilience and preparedness on SA farms.

Leadership Opportunity for the SA Drought Hub

We are seeking a Director for the SA Drought Hub to provide leadership for the Hub and to ensure that the University meets the project’s objectives for the four-year term of the government grant.

The SA Drought Hub is one of eight in Australia established by the Australian Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund.

A core Hub site at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus will be complemented by five Nodes located throughout regional South Australia at Minnipa, Port Augusta, Orroroo, Loxton and Struan. Nodes will focus on increasing the extension and adoption of drought resilience practices in pastoral, low, medium and high rainfall zones.

The initial focus will be to co-design and deliver demand driven activities across the regional Nodes to demonstrate and increase adoption of drought resilience practices, implement socially resilient and wellbeing strategies and leverage future investments for drought innovation and adoption initiatives.

To be successful you will need

  • Experience in establishing and management of large primary industry focused programs across government and industry stakeholders to deliver against contractual arrangements and multiple stakeholder needs.
  • A track record in establishing productive partnerships with industry, government, universities and funding organisations.
  • Understanding of and sustained experience in delivering extension, adoption and innovation services to primary industries.
  • Understanding of and sustained experience in dealing with SA primary industry sectors and regional communities to drive sustainability and resilience.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Dr Kathy Ophel-Keller

Interim Executive Director, SARDI

kathy.ophelkeller@sa.gov.au

Applications close 11.55pm, 26 November 2021