Suzanne Blake

• Member of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing regulatory assurance expertise spanning biosecurity operations, regulation, risk management, verification, data analytics, communications, innovation, and project management.
• Key focus on advancing strategic priorities to enhance regulatory efficiency, effectiveness, and maturity, while bolstering the division's capacity to proactively identify and mitigate biosecurity risks through continuous improvement, innovation, and assurance.
• Prioritisation and execution of best practice regulatory assurance and verification initiatives across operational pathways, ensuring alignment with executive objectives.
• Driving integration of regulatory design into the division's reform agenda, facilitating implementation of recommendations from external reviews, co-designing regulatory solutions for identified gaps, validating efficacy of new technologies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the regulatory framework.

• Collaborated with team members to spearhead the conception, promotion, and execution of innovative business strategies aimed at enhancing service delivery.
• Orchestrated the integration of national service delivery protocols across diverse service groups, establishing and overseeing frameworks to ensure uniformity in both internal and external stakeholder communications, operational practices, and reporting within the Service Delivery Division.
• Led various initiatives, including the implementation of governance structures to optimise service delivery efficiency and efficacy, acting as a liaison between national programs and service groups to streamline operational processes.
• Played a pivotal role in establishing and upholding operational assurance and verification standards, ensuring service continuity and swift incident response.
• Coordinated the resolution of risk management challenges within the division, while also providing essential support in governance, planning, and reporting to assist the Service Delivery executive in achieving strategic objectives.

• Oversight of Cargo and Mail operations with responsibility for leadership and management.
• Ensured strict adherence to departmental policies and budgets, aligning the performance and effectiveness of these operational areas accordingly.
• Implemented strategies to deploy resources effectively for thorough risk assessment and screening of incoming cargo and mail items, mitigating the potential for exotic pest and disease incursions at Australian borders.
• Prioritised comprehensive training and equipping of staff with the necessary skills to apply risk-based intervention principles in their operational roles.
• Maintained a focus on providing a safe working environment for all staff members, offering support in their professional development.
• Reported directly to the NE Director for Inspections Cargo, Mail, and Plant, contributing actively to leadership initiatives and the implementation of corporate policies within the North East region and across the broader departmental landscape.

• Oversight of operations at Brisbane International Airport and Detector Dog Operational Units located in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Cairns.
• Ensured strict compliance with departmental policies and budgets, maintaining the performance and effectiveness of operational units within established parameters.
• Implemented resource allocation strategies to conduct thorough risk assessments and screening of incoming air passengers, thereby minimising the risk of exotic pest and disease incursions at Australian borders.
• Prioritised comprehensive training and provision of necessary equipment to enable staff to execute their duties using risk-based intervention principles effectively.
• Reported directly to the NER Director for Travellers and Vessels, actively contributing to leadership efforts and the implementation of corporate policies within the region and across the department.

• Overall management and leadership responsibility for the North East (NE) Region Passengers and Mail Program
• Oversaw operational budgeting and business planning processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Spearheaded the implementation and monitoring of national program initiatives, facilitating seamless integration and progress tracking.
• Led the implementation of biosecurity reform initiatives and associated change management activities, driving organizational adaptation and effectiveness.
• Directed compliance and enforcement activities, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and protocols.
• Facilitated technical learning and development initiatives to enhance staff capabilities and expertise.
• Conducted performance management of NE Region Passengers and Mail Assistant Directors (EL1), fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Prioritised the provision of a safe working environment for staff, actively addressing work health and safety issues in a timely manner.
• Contributed insights and expertise to national initiatives such as risk return, assurance/capability processes, and service delivery modernization, shaping the future direction of the organization.
• Represented DAFF in various stakeholder forums, fostering collaboration and strategic partnerships.
• Participated in preparatory planning exercises for the G20 summit, coordinating DAFF resourcing to meet event requirements effectively.

I held management and leadership responsibilities encompassing:

• Regional passenger clearance activities, ensuring efficient and effective processing.
• Oversight of enforcement and compliance activities, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
• Management of operational budgeting and business planning processes, aligning with organizational objectives.
• Facilitation of technical learning and development initiatives, including the implementation of biosecurity reform initiatives and associated change management activities.
• Supervision of regional detector dog operations, optimizing their effectiveness in detecting potential threats.
• Monitoring and reporting of operational performance and effectiveness, providing valuable insights for continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder management and coordination of co-regulatory arrangements, fostering collaboration and alignment with key partners.

• As the acting Senior Manager, Corporate for the North East Region and member of the Regional Leadership Team, I provided leadership and high-level management across a range of functions and initiatives in an environment of change within a national service delivery framework
• I managed the delivery of corporate services to the North East Region including: people management, workforce planning, learning and development, occupational health and safety, financial management, governance and assurance and corporate administration
• I liaised, negotiated and effectively communicated and represented Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) in a variety of forums, including with other government agencies, industry bodies and clients
• I undertook and participated in reviews and projects designed to improve corporate governance and the operational integrity of AQIS programs in the region and nationally.

• As the Regional Program Manager for Passenger Risk and Corporate at Brisbane International Airport I oversaw the development and implementation of risk profiling methodology and associated activities for the clearance of passengers moving through the Brisbane International Airport, Gold Coast Airport and Brisbane Port Authority cruise terminal facilities
• In this role I also managed the operational budget and business planning processes; provided technical support and leadership for 145 staff; managed verification and training; oversaw security and emergency planning, including business continuity; human resources functions for airport staff; OH&S; governance and communications; infrastructure; stakeholder management and co-regulatory arrangements; and operational reporting.

• As the Manager of the Governance and Executive Support Unit, I led a team to provide effective and efficient governance, executive support and coordination services across the Biosecurity Services Group (BSG)
• In this role I oversaw and ensured the provision of high-level secretariat and administrative support to biosecurity managers including the Deputy Secretary, Biosecurity Executive Leadership Group, and associated governance sub-committees
• I ensured that my team delivered high quality outputs in accordance with the strategic objectives of BSG.

• Represented Codex Australia on committees and in negotiations/discussions with other government agencies, external organisations, industry members and other stakeholders, including attending international meetings as an Australian delegate;
• Facilitated appropriate whole of government policy discussion/input for Australia's participation in Codex;
• Led the coordination of Australia's participation in Codex and provided appropriate administrative coordination and support for Australian delegations attending Codex Committees and Task Forces;
• Undertook projects and conducted research and reviews as required on aspects of Codex policy development, including the coordination of Australian positions for high level national and international meetings;
• Undertook host government responsibilities for a United Nations conference held annually in Australia including venue selection, contract negotiation, sourcing equipment and services, coordination of translation/interpretation services, catering, hosting visiting senior nationals and dignitaries, liaison with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and overseas posts to assist in visa processing, financial arrangements, etc;
• Liaised with international counterparts in New Zealand, Canada, USA, and the South West Pacific; Prepared high level briefing and correspondence on Codex issues including Ministerials, Questions on Notice, committee papers, and working documents;
• Provided secretariat and administrative support to the Codex program including managing the distribution of Codex working documents;
• Contributed to Codex communication and awareness activities, including Stakeholder forums; newsletters and regularly updating the Codex website to ensure its currency; and
• Represented Codex Australia at conferences and workshops including giving presentations and emceeing proceedings.

• Coordination and evaluation of national emergency simulation exercise.
• Development and application of methodology for recording and analysing State and Territory steering committee evaluations.
• Comparison of recommendations from previous exercises to determine overlaps and conflicts.
• Preparation of high-level briefing and correspondence for the Primary Industries Standing Committee, Primary Industries Ministerial Council and portfolio Ministers.
• Liaison with key stakeholders including Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; Attorney General's Department; Emergency Management Australia; State and Territory government agencies, and industry members.
• Organisation of teleconferences and meetings, including preparation of papers and minutes.
• Determination and drafting of an action plan for follow-up activities.
• Contribution to the drafting and editing of the final exercise report.

• As a Project Officer for the BRS Drought Team I: Oversaw the administrative management of a taskforce responsible for the scientific analysis of Drought Exceptional Circumstances Applications
• This involved the supervision of other administrative staff and the delegation of work tasks
• I also monitored the program as a whole, to ensure that workloads did not become overwhelming and stress levels were kept to a minimum
• Compiled a monthly report, this was presented to the Departmental Drought Taskforce; and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• This report required research and analysis to provide current detailed climatic conditions, rainfall, and water storage levels, as well as current drought declared areas and areas being assessed under exceptional circumstances
• Assisted Case Officers with scientific calculations and report preparation
• Prepared Ministerial responses and briefing materials for high level Cabinet meetings.

• Provision of high-level administrative and executive assistance to the Executive Manager for Exports, Provision of management support, including the coordination of Parliamentary, Ministerial and AQIS business matters, Preparation of correspondence and briefing material, Research and special projects on behalf of the Executive Manager and provision of advice and support to the AQIS Executive Team.

• In my role as a Communications and Policy Liaison Officer at BRS, I undertook the following tasks: Managed the 2002 AFFA Science and Innovation Awards for Young People project, Coordinated a weekly seminar series which involved scoping suitable speakers, sending out regular seminar notices and updating the AFFA website, with both BRS seminar and external seminar information, Assisted the Communications and Policy Liaison Manager to oversee ministerials, minutes, and coordinated responses on behalf of BRS
• In addition, I coordinated the preparation of briefing papers for Senate Estimates and Question Time Briefs.

• As Executive Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director of BRS, I provided members of the executive team with high-level secretarial support
• This included administrative and financial support, diary management, preparation and collation of various meeting papers, minute taking for a governance sub-committee and Executive Committee meetings, and the drafting of correspondence and research projects as required
• I also supported the Deputy Director in his liaison role with external clients and acted as the Executive Assistant for the Executive Director for a period of three months.

• Working closely with a Staff Officer, I facilitated administrative and high-level office management support to the Assistant Commissioner for Crime and the Commander for State Crime Squads
• I managed a hectic schedule involving the organisation of meetings, appointments, travel and other events as required
• I liaised with and provided information on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner and the Commander State Crime Squads to members of the Police Force and external clients, which also involved responding to correspondence on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner or drafting a suitable reply for his signature
• I received, distributed and recorded the movement of correspondence and highly classified files and facilitated the preparation and distribution of confidential or sensitive written material in accordance with established Victoria Police security procedures
• I took minutes at Executive Command Meetings and helped to facilitate proceedings for numerous boards of which the Assistant Commissioner was a member
• I worked in close contact with the Chief Commissioner’s office and Executive Command and organised functions on behalf of the Chief Commissioner, including award presentations and gala dinners.

• As Executive Secretary to the Director of Marketing and PR, I became involved in the Queensland Festival of the Horse, as the Director of the section was the Chairman for the Festival Committee
• In this role I provided administrative support to both the Chairman and Manager of the festival, as well as the committee as a whole
• This involved the preparation and presentation of meeting agendas and minutes; the preparation of correspondence including sponsorship proposals, letters to organisers, event participants and key clients; the preparation and production of a monthly newsletter, flyers, posters, advertisements, invitations and tickets; a primary source for inquiries and bookings regarding the festival; the use of Events software package for event bookings and ticketing; banking and financial processing
• I also assisted the festival social committee in the planning, preparation and implementation of major events such as a charity gala ball, exhibitions and cocktail functions.

• As Executive Secretary, I managed all secretarial and administrative tasks for the Director of the department, through activities including planning, organising, researching issues, drafting written material and providing secretarial support to meetings
• I organised the Director’s appointments, processed inward and outward correspondence, as well as other office duties
• In this position I liaised with University staff and external organisations to provide an initial contact for individuals and organisations in communication with the Director
• Relations were by dealing with telephone and written enquiries and receiving visitors
• I was also responsible for the supervision and allocation of work to other administrative staff
• I dealt in the financial aspects of the section, providing support to the Finance Officer
• This involved the use of the Prophecy Financial Systems software, internal and external purchasing, central store orders, accounts payable, petty cash, debtors, invoices, receipts, and credit card reconciliation.

• As Publications/Marketing Officer at BRS, I provided secretarial support for the Corporate Communications Branch and the Executive team
• I was the main point of contact for information relating to the Bureau and its functions, which required me to promote and represent the interests of the Bureau both to external clients and to departmental personnel
• I also liaised with scientific and other personnel to keep up-to-date with current issues
• Other duties included the maintenance of mailing lists; spread-sheeting; invoicing; billing and receipt of customer accounts; purchasing; compiling reports; organising and facilitating meetings; coordinating outside vendors; handling customers; and the preparation of a weekly seminar flyer
• As my role was very PR oriented, I participated in the planning and coordination of conferences including: site selection; facilities negotiation; marketing, advertising & promotions; manual and conference material production; registration; on-site program coordination; staffing; catering; travel; and program evaluations.

• In early 1998, I was promoted to the Personal Assistant to the Finance Manager of Corporate Management
• This was in addition to my role as the Publications Officer for Corporate Communications
• Duties included: making appointments and keeping a schedule for the Finance Manager; all secretarial work; organising and facilitating meetings; preparing correspondence and reports; organising and coordinating Resource Co-ordinator’s meetings; and minute taking
• I was also responsible for the payment of BRS accounts, purchasing and reconciliation of government credit cards and the raising of purchase orders for the section.