The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is firmly focused on driving a strong and resilient economy that benefits all Victorians – by creating more opportunities for people through jobs and skills; supporting businesses and industries to grow and prosper; and building vibrant communities and regions.

Established on 1 January 2023, our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices. We oversee various public entities, including public corporations, regulatory authorities and specialist boards.

The Department strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and offers reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Our values are accountability, integrity and respect, and underpin everything we do.

The Role

The primary responsibility of this role is to support policy development for community and stakeholder engagement purposes.

Responsibilities include: Leading and contributing to research, analysis and policy responses that inform accurate, evidence-based advice to VSA executives and Ministers and Leading and contributing to the development of cabinet submissions, budget bids, briefs, policy papers and other products related to engagement that provide authoritative and strategic advice in accordance with relevant government guidelines.

The position has the following key accountabilities but not limited to:

• Contributing to Victorian Public Sector values: Always operating with integrity, accountability, responsiveness, respect, impartiality, and in accordance with Victoria's Charter of Human Rights and demonstrating leadership in adhering to, and promoting the values. It is expected that the person in this role actively will participate in and encourage others to support a positive organisational culture, and business and performance excellence.
• Policy advice and skills: Formulates and communicates policy options and recommendations. Scans for links and potential implications of proposed policy options. Provides specialist advice on policy issues to a range of internal and external stakeholders. Establishes and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate policy making processes. Prepares and presents discussion papers, submissions, reports and briefings for decision makers.
• Policy planning and analysis: Plans the policy development process and undertakes research and analysis and prepares policy options/proposals. Develops a consultation and/or communication plan identifying decision makers, policy requirements, opportunities, issues/risks and key stakeholders to enhance policy outcomes.
• Written communication and reports: Preparing briefs, correspondence, specialised reports and authoritative advice, analysis and options for senior executives, Ministers and colleagues across government. Responds with a high level of quality, timeliness and effectiveness to executive and Ministerial requests for information as required.
• Project Management: Consults, liaises with and influences key stakeholders. Produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and action steps for achieving them are clearly specified. Monitors performance against objectives and manages project risks and issues to ensure project objectives are met.

The Team

The position of Senior Policy Officer forms a part of the Engagement branch in the Victorian Skills Authority group.

The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) is an Administrative Office within DJSIR reporting directly to the Minister for Training and Skills, and the Secretary of the Department.

The VSA is responsible for generating data insights, developing place-based solutions for local problems, promoting quality improvement, and identifying skills and workforce development to achieve job outcomes that strengthen the Victorian economy.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Maree Polglaise – Manager, Community Engagement on 0439 704 914.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

Please note: If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Recruitment Team at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.

We respect and welcome people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, abilities, and cultures.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 27 September 2023.