Expression of interest to review National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs) – Applicant Guidelines 2024

Background

National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs) serve as the first point of reference for developing surveillance plans, and include information on surveillance methodology, pest/pathogen biology, pest/pathogen taxonomy, pest/pathogen identification and sample processing. NSPs contribute significantly to achieving a coordinated plant health surveillance system that meets national and international requirements. The process of NSP development is managed by the Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance (SNPHS). Four NSPs have been endorsed by SNPHS thus far to support and enhance ongoing surveillance activities. For more information on the endorsed NSPs, please visit Resources.

The process of NSP development is managed by the Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance (SNPHS). NSPs are developed in accordance with the SNPHS Reference Standard, which provides guidelines to authors developing national surveillance protocols, and ensures relevant, consistent and up-to-date information is included.

The Reference Standard also outlines the workflow for the development and approval processes of NSPs before they are submitted to SNPHS for endorsement. Following endorsement, NSPs are reviewed every two years, or earlier if required.

The current project

The National Plant Biosecurity Surveillance Professional Development and Protocols project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to enhance Australians plant pest surveillance capability and capacity to detect and identify plants that impact Australia's plant industries, the environment and the community.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest to undertake review of the following NSPs:

• Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
• Exotic invasive ants (various)
• Pine wilt nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and exotic vectors (Monochamus spp.)
• Honey bee viruses (various)
• Exotic armyworm (Spodoptera spp.)
• Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
• Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma ulmi)

Applicants are referred to the SNPHS Reference Standard for more details on the development and endorsement processes of an NSP.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must have relevant expertise, be employed in a plant health surveillance role or similar in an organisation in Australia, and be a member of the Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP).

Application process

To submit an expression of interest, download the application form from the PSNAP website here, complete the required fields, and submit to the NSP Coordinator at NSPCoordinator@phau.com.au.

Assessment of applications

All applications will be assessed by SNPHS, based on the following criteria:

1. demonstrated experience and expertise in the pest group(s) or related pest(s) to be covered in the NSPs
2. value for money
3. ability to complete the project in the contracted timeframe.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the NSP Coordinator, and they will be provided instructions on how to progress.

Guide to budgets

As a guideline, funding support of up to $2,000 (GST exclusive) is provided for the technical review of an NSP.

Timelines

Applications close at 5:00pm AEDT on Thursday, 10 October 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by mid-November 2024.

Key contact and further information

If you would like further information, please contact the NSP Coordinator at NSPCoordinator@phau.com.au.
The Reference Standard, which outlines instructions to authors and endorsement processes, can be found on the PSNAP website.

Download the Application form

Download the NSP review guidelines

Download the Reference Standard