Lead Data Scientist

Job Description

The   Enterprise Data Branch   within Digital Business Division, requires a skilled   data scientist   to work in a high performing AI Unit delivering AI solutions and aligning AI deliverables with challenging business problems.

Requirements

Key duties and responsibilities

The Digital Business Division brings together the retail digital functions of the Department with the Digital and Analytics Office within the Agricultural Trade and Regulation Group.

We provide trusted digital and data leadership and expertise, and partner with staff and industry to co-design and deliver user-centred solutions, reduce biosecurity risk, grow agricultural exports, and help safeguard Australia’s agricultural production, the environment and our way of life.  Digital and data offers compelling opportunities for transformation, allowing us to explore and rethink the way we build and deliver services. This ground-breaking work will have a significant impact as we deliver on many services that will benefit the nation.

The Enterprise Data Branch (EDB) is a centre of excellence for data and analytics. We provide a range of services for the department, delivering advanced analytics products and cleansed high-quality data available for use by both internal and external teams. We develop products that transform raw data into information and usable intelligence that improves risk identification, management, and decision-making capabilities.

Within the EDB, the AI Unit is responsible for the delivery of AI solutions, and aligns AI deliverables with valuable business problems, to build skills, and foster innovation across all levels. The AI Unit advocates for AI ethics and principles to ensure responsible practices, transparency, and compliance with regulations.

The role

• Develop prototypes aligned with business goals and deliver measurable value.
• Support the team’s planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and evaluation of AI projects and initiatives.
• Research and explore the latest trends and best practices in the AI field
• Contribute to development of best practice AI governance and frameworks, including guardrail designs and control practices.  Advocate for AI ethics, transparency, and compliance with regulations.  Ensure compliance with policies, standards, ethics, and legislation related to AI.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to determine optimal AI solutions for deployment and integration.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and documentation on project progress and outcomes.
• Share experience in providing technical guidance, feedback, and support to team members, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their professional goals.
• Share experience deploying and managing AI and data science solutions in cloud environments, leveraging Azure's suite of tools and services.

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

Weighting

1. Technical Proficiency– ability to design, develop, and deploy AI / ML solutions using a wide range of techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and large language models (LLMs). Ability to create prototypes aligned with business goals, delivering measurable value. Deliver the full lifecycle of AI solutions, from planning and design to testing, deployment, and evaluation. Proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, JavaScript / TypeScript) and familiarity in application development (e.g., React, Flask, R Shiny). Knowledge of cloud computing principles and best practices, with a focus on Microsoft Azure. Familiarity with cloud-based data storage, processing, and analytics solutions, ensuring scalability, security, and cost-efficiency Ability to contribute to development of AI technical standards, including guardrail designs and control practices, to ensure the ethical development and use of AI / ML solutions.

2. Strategic thinking – drive innovation by providing strategic advice on AI initiatives. Research and explore the latest trends and best practices in the AI field to ensure the department stays at the forefront of technological advancement. Expertise in best practice AI governance and frameworks, including guardrail designs and control practices, to ensure the reliability and ethical use of AI / ML models. Ability to implement AI solutions consistent with governance frameworks, ensuring adherence to the enterprise policies, standards, ethics, and relevant legislation.

3. Collaboration and Team Work – ability to work independently with limited guidance and create self-direction in uncertain and rapidly changing environments, displaying the characteristics of creativity and resilience. Ability to work openly and collegiately in a multi-disciplinary team, displaying a genuine consideration of how members from other disciplines contribute to the overall outcome. Have a strong focus on people and business outcomes over formal methodologies. Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for senior executives and non-technical stakeholders. Ability to foster support for AI initiatives across diverse audiences. Excellent collaboration skills, enabling you to work closely with stakeholders to determine appropriate AI solutions for deployment and integration.

Requirements

Essential criteria 1. A track record of delivering technology products in large organisations 2. A demonstrated understanding of what makes for a great developer experience for external users 3. Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams that follow agile and user-centred design practices 4. Experience working on large Government transformation programs highly regarded Desirable criteria 1. Knowledge, experience of, and relationships with the agriculture technology industry 2. Delivery of technology to support regulatory decision-making processes 3. Experience delivering to the Australian Government Digital Service Standard