Senior Policy Officer

• Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (plus superannuation)
• Fixed-Term position to 30 June 2027
• Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (flexibility may be available)

The Role

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative Senior Policy Officer with demonstrated experience in policy development, strong analytical capabilities, and a sound understanding of government processes. The ideal candidate can translate complex issues into clear, evidence-based advice and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, system-wide reforms—particularly in areas such as education, skills, or economic development. The successful candidate will help shape policy, support implementation, and respond to evolving priorities. They will also play a key role in fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships, and supporting a culture of learning and continuous improvement—delivering real impact for the Victorian community.

Main accountabilities:

• Formulates policy options and advice.
• Applies complex concepts to policy development or research.
• Manages a discrete function with limited budget or staff responsibilities.
• Provides leadership in the adaptation and application of concepts to operational matters within local work area.
• Innovative thinking and analysis influences developments within area of responsibility.
• Contributes to strategic business planning Interprets and applies business plans and policies in own area of responsibility and provides advice to others on implementation issues.

The Team

The position of Senior Policy Officer forms a part of Apprenticeships Victoria branch, which sits under Skills and TAFE (ST) group. Skills and TAFE (ST) focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs, and achieve their educational aspirations.

Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA), ST provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system. This includes oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network, led by the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD), and the apprenticeships system, with a strong focus on aligning training with industry needs and strengthening pathways into the workforce.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience:

• Policy Design and Development: Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; Develops a clear narrative for the policies and business cases including clear problem definition and objectives.
• Policy Design and Development: Considers impact of policy to strategic plans, community needs, complementing programs and policies across the service. 
• Project Delivery: Defines governance e.g. success measures, roles and responsibilities, progress monitoring) required to manage risks and maximise probability of success. 
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapts systems and processes quickly to changed priorities and situations.
• Systems Thinking: Understands the linkages between systems and communities to inform policy; Conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation. 
• Political and Organisational Context: Uses formal and informal influencing relationships and decision making processes; Considers priorities and interests of various groups and key individuals. 

Further information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Priya Saratchandran, Manager, Regulatory Reform via email priya.saratchandran@ecodev.vic.gov.au

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

For Finance Roles:

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner.

Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. 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 Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.

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 respond to the key selection criteria as outlined in the position description.

Applications close at 23:59pm on 2 February 2026.