The Market Design and Commissioning team plays a key role in shaping and managing the early childhood education (ECE) sector to ensure equitable access, quality provision and efficient resource allocation as the Best Start, Best Life reforms are implemented. This role will suit a proactive self-starter with a good understanding of government systems and processes and an ability to work in a complex, sensitive environment.
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.
About the Role
The Market Design and Commissioning team plays a key role in shaping and managing the early childhood education (ECE) sector to ensure equitable access, quality provision and efficient resource allocation as the Best Start, Best Life reforms are implemented. The unit undertakes strategic policy projects designed to address emerging issues related to ECE system design, using data, research and policy analysis to generate strategies and solutions, and working collaboratively across the ECE group and other relevant stakeholders.
Working under the direction of the Senior Manager, Market Design and Commissioning, the Policy Advisor will work on strategic policy projects through every stage of the policy cycle, including undertaking research and data analysis to inform the formulation of policy options and advice, preparation of briefs and other written materials, developing and monitoring project plans, and guiding projects through consultation, governance and approvals processes.
This role will suit a proactive self-starter with a good understanding of government systems and processes and an ability to work in a complex, sensitive environment.
Qualifications and Experience
As our ideal candidate you will have:
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Policy skills including analysing and critically evaluating information, and identifying the potential implications and risks of proposed policy options
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Sound conceptual and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to undertake research and synthesise information from a range of sources and events
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Experience with scoping, developing and delivering policy projects
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Strong written communication skills
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Experience working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders on complex policy issues
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Demonstrated ability to guide and monitor the delivery of policy projects through all stages of the policy cycle.
This is a fixed term role until 30 June 2029.
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 http://www.vic.gov.au/education
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact
Sabdha Charlton – Senior Manager, Market Design and Commissioning via
[email protected]
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 15 July 2026
