About the Role
Multiple Senior Policy Advisor roles are available including:
- One (1x) Ongoing role and Two (2x) Fixed term roles in the National Strategy and Reform Branch across national early childhood and national schools policy and reform
- One (1x) Fixed term role in the Education Policy Branch; and
- One (1x) Fixed term role in the Education System Projects Branch
Senior Policy Advisors lead the development of advocacy positions and policy on a range of critical, high-profile issues across the education portfolio.
The role would suit someone with strong policy, analytical, and writing and skills who enjoys working collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
Key tasks include preparation of strategic and high quality advice for executive and ministers (including briefs, slide decks and options papers), research and analysing data and building stakeholder relationships internally and externally to inform advice.
Current work in the National Strategy and Reform Branch includes negotiation of the next Preschool Funding Agreement, national child safety reform, implementation of the National Enabling Initiatives from the school funding agreement including the Review of the Student Resource Standard and establishment of the national Teaching and Learning Commission.
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 or early childhood 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 early childhood and 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. The Division is a fast paced, collaborative and high performing environment.
The National Strategy and Reform Branch provides strategic advice to ministers and senior officials in national negotiations, and ensures national, whole of Victorian Government and interagency issues are factored into the department's policy development and program delivery. It works across the department on the development, implementation and reporting of portfolio intergovernmental agreements, manages key partnership arrangements, and supports senior executive participation in governance bodies on the department's behalf.
The Education System Projects Branch is responsible for developing and driving strategic policy projects for the school education sector, with a focus on developing policy and reform options. The branch leads and contributes to strategic projects at every stage of the policy cycle, including research, analysis, development of options, preparation of reports and advice, and support for implementation.
The Education Policy Branch prepares evidence-based advice about reform and investment priorities for the education portfolio, with a focus on lifting student outcomes. The Branch leads education policy development and provides strategic advice to decision makers about school reform.
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 [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 Monday 31 August
