Senior Policy Advisor

The Strategy, Policy and National Reform Division has multiple roles available for a high performing Senior Policy Advisor responsible for providing strategic advice on all major school education strategy and policy, including leading the department's local and national school strategy.

About the Role

This is an ongoing full-time role.

Senior Policy Advisors lead the development of advocacy positions and policy on a range of critical, high-profile issues across the education portfolio.

The team prepares evidence-based advice about reform and investment priorities for schools, with a focus on lifting student outcomes. The role would suit someone with strong policy, analytical, and writing and skills who enjoys working collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Key tasks contributing to the team's work may include research, analysing data, contributing to written materials (such as briefings, PowerPoint slides, submissions, and options papers) for key stakeholders and decision makers. The team is currently preparing advice to support the Education State Strategy and Performance Interdepartmental Committee, which comprises the Department of Education, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Attributes

• Policy skills, including ability to contribute to strategic policy development and prepare effective written communications
• Experience drafting papers and compelling slide decks
• Ability to collaborate effectively and adapt to changing priorities
• Curiosity and capacity to learn quickly.

While the position does not require detailed knowledge of the school system, this would be advantageous, as would prior experience in strategic policy and policy implementation design and planning. 

About the Division

The Strategy, Policy and National Reform Division is the driving force behind the strategic policy direction of the Department's education portfolio, focusing on enhancing the learning, wellbeing, and development of school-aged children and young people. Our teams support high-level decision-making processes, aiding senior executives, ministers, and various governance bodies with expert policy advice and strategic insights.

These roles sit across the branches in the division covering the breadth of Victoria's strategic education policy including:

• National Strategy and Reform Branch
• Education System Projects Branch; and
• Education Policy Branch

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services. The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Cecily Jones – Director National Strategy and Reform via ************@education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Monday 24 August