Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Families Programs
Job title Director Policy Designation Senior Administrative Officer 2
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $152,751 - $166,487 Location Darwin
Position number 30627 RTF 353179 Closing 26/08/2026
Contact officer Matthew Lyons on 0423 224 095 or [email protected]
About the agency https://families.nt.gov.au
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=353179
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR
TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or
job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go
to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of contemporary, evidence-based operational policy, procedures and
guidance for the Department of Children and Families (DCF), with a focus on statutory child protection, out-of-home care,
domestic, family and sexual violence and family support and related reform priorities. Ensure policy is legislatively compliant,
culturally responsive, operationally clear, aligned to national and jurisdictional frameworks and supported by effective governance,
review cycles, reporting, record keeping and implementation assurance within a complex reform environment.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Lead the development, review, negotiation and implementation of policy, procedures and guidance across DCF programs,
including statutory child protection, out-of-home care, domestic, family and sexual violence and family support, to enable
joined-up frontline service delivery aligned to NTG and DCF priorities, legislation and practice frameworks.
2. Initiate and manage projects that deliver on, and align to, legislation and Commonwealth, NTG and DCF frameworks and
strategies, including, but not limited to, Closing the Gap and Safe and Supported.
3. Provide high level advice to executive leadership and Government, including preparation of Ministerial briefings, executive
correspondence, detailed reporting and clear analysis of project outcomes.
4. Develop and maintain effective, collaborative relationships to further DCF priorities, including with other jurisdictions,
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the non-government sector, peak bodies and regulatory bodies.
5. Maintain policy governance, currency, version control, review schedules and implementation assurance processes to support
legislative compliance, consistent practice and organisational risk management.
6. Provide leadership and management of human and financial resources to meet the objectives of NTG and DCF.
7. Represent the DCF and Division at internal and external meetings, including national forums.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Demonstrated experience analysing, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating policy in a large government or
human services organisation, preferably within child protection, out-of-home care, family support domestic, family and sexual
violence or a related statutory service environment.
2. Demonstrated highly developed conceptual and analytical thinking and political acumen that identifies needs and risks and the
ability to develop practical and innovative solutions to complex strategic and operational issues.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in operational planning, project management, policy governance, implementation
planning and delivery within or across government.
4. Highly developed interpersonal communication, collaboration, negotiation and influencing skills, and systems thinking, with
the ability to build effective relationships with people of diverse cultures and professional backgrounds, including Aboriginal
people, communities and organisations.
5. Demonstrated ability to lead culturally responsive policy development and implementation that reflects Aboriginal cultural
security, child safety, community voice and partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
6. Demonstrated ability to build individual and work unit capabilities through effective leadership and management of human
and fiscal resources inclusive of cultivating a positive workplace culture.
7. Demonstrated experience in managing and leading teams within a changing environment to achieve outcomes, with a high
degree of personal resilience, flexibility and adaptability.
Desirable
1. Tertiary qualifications in public policy or administration, governance or similar.
2. Knowledge of child and family services, child protection reform, commissioning, or social policy.
Further information
The successful applicant must hold a current NT Working with Children Notice (Ochre Card) and undergo a criminal history check
(a criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history).
