Senior Policy Officer, Aboriginal Programs

• Salary: $113,022- $136,747 (Plus Superannuation)
• Fixed-term role (to 20 April 2027)
• Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: Hybrid (3:2) Level 31/121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne and remote (flexibility may be available)

This is a prioritised position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for this role.

The Role

The Senior Policy Officer, Aboriginal Programs will lead a small team to develop a range of initiatives to support Aboriginal Victorians to participate in sport and active recreation opportunities. The team works with key government agencies, Aboriginal community organisations, community members, state sport and recreation organisations, regional sports assemblies, and other key stakeholders to implement the Victorian Aboriginal Sporting Partnership Strategy aimed at improving access and participation outcomes in sport and recreation activities for Aboriginal communities across Victoria.

The Team

The position of Senior Policy Officer, Aboriginal Programs forms part of the Community Sport and Recreation Unit of the Sport and Recreation Victoria Branch, which sits within the Sport and Experience Economy Group.

Sport and Experience Economy (SEE) is comprised of Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV), Tourism and Events (T&E) and Outdoor Recreation and Combat Sports (ORCS).

Sport and Recreation Victoria Branch maximises the economic and social benefits provided to all Victorians by ensuring greater access and opportunities for participation in sport and recreation by all Victorians; maintaining Victoria's reputation as Australia's leading state for sporting and major events; ensuring Victoria continues to be the home of the sport and recreation industries and administration; developing and improving the quality of community sport and recreation facilities; investing in major sports facilities to support high performance pathways and reinforcing the enriching role that sport and recreation plays in people's lives.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have the following skills and experience:

• Policy and Project Skills: Formulates and clearly communicates public policy options and recommendations for delivering Aboriginal Victorian outcomes; manages and leads complex projects, keeps up to date with a broad range of contemporary research and issues relating to Aboriginal inclusion, scans for links and potential implications of proposed policy options, provides leadership in the application of concepts to policy development and liaises with stakeholders. Ability to analyse and understand data and information collected from initiatives and apply strategic insights to interpret information, which includes consideration of the broader strategic direction of the organisation.
• Budget management and financial literacy: Develops and manages program budgets; considers resources; monitors expenditure against budget projections; plans for and manages risks; ensures the use of honest, transparent and appropriate purchasing processes.
• Written and Oral Communication: Prepares briefs, presentations, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used.
• Leadership and Stakeholder relations: Manages a small team and builds relationships with Aboriginal community, represents government priorities, builds a team commitment through professional communication, clear direction, effectively manage team resources to meet deadlines and prioritise work demands, motivates others, creates positive team culture, and manages performance expectations.
• Problem solving and adaptability: Seeks all relevant information for problem-solving; liaises with stakeholders; analyses issues from different perspectives and draws sound inferences from information available; identifies and proposes workable solutions to problems; implements solutions, evaluates effectiveness and adjusts actions as required.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Mark Simpson, Acting Group Manager, Equity, Policy and Engagement on 0437 683 222 or mark.simpsoon@sport.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. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

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 outlined in the position description.

Applications close at 23:59pm on Sunday, 19 April 2026

For the purpose of employment in Aboriginal Designated or Aboriginal Prioritised positions within the Victorian public sector, candidates will be asked to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality. This can be confirmed by a Confirmation of Aboriginality form signed by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and affixed with the common seal of that organisation. Recognising that access to formal Confirmation of Aboriginality documents can occasionally be problematic, an alternative process can be discussed by emailing firstpeoples.workforce@ecodev.vic.gov.au.