About us
The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services. 

About the role
The Senior Departmental Liaison Officer (DLO) ensures strong communication between the Ministerial Office (MO) and DGS. The role provides specialist administrative and corporate support as required on matters related to the efficient functioning of the MO in relation to DGS. The role requires regular handling of sensitive and/or Cabinet-in-Confidence material in a confidential and discreet manner. The role has responsibility for building and maintaining relationships between the MO and DGS and supporting the movement of briefing products and materials between the MO and department.

After hours work may be required, especially during Parliamentary sittings and at other times of peak demand.

Key Accountabilities

• Identify the requirements of the Minister and communicate those requirements to DGS and work with DGS staff to ensure that those requirements are met.
• Facilitate the transfer of high-level advice and timely information sharing to ensure the MO is well placed to make decisions based on best practice, evidence and policy analysis.
• Appropriately channel information between the MO and DGS and ensure that the content of all communication in both directions between DGS, the MO and ministerial staff is prompt, complete and accurate.
• Work with DGS and ministerial staff to ensure that information and document flows are timely, appropriately routed, and able to be tracked, specifically the coordination of the briefing and correspondence process.
• Ensure optimal support for the Minister in relation to Cabinet, legislative and parliamentary business, including Cabinet briefings and Parliamentary questions and briefings.
• Prepare the packaging of documents and reports as required including for briefs, correspondence, and parliamentary matters.
• Provide high-level customer service and assist with administrative duties, including but not limited to answering phones, directing calls and taking messages, and the appropriate handling of inquiries in accordance with relevant protocols.
• Other duties as required.

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

1. Technical expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of or familiarity with current parliamentary, cabinet and legislative processes.  

2. Understanding government: Knowledge of, and/or experience in, government and administrative processes.  

3. Stakeholder management: Uses excellent communication skills to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; uses understanding of the organisational contexts to ensure outcomes are achieved.  

4. Time management: Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, in restrictive timeframes. 

5. Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapts systems and processes quickly to changed priorities and situations. 

Mandatory requirements

• Handling of sensitive and/or Cabinet-in-Confidence material in a strictly confidential and discreet manner.
• Availability to work outside standard business hours when required.
• Relevant experience in a government environment.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 29 April. All applications should include:

• a resume; and
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

In accordance with the Jobs and Skills Exchange Policy, only Victorian Public Service employees or those with extended access to the Jobs and Skills Exchange are eligible to apply for this position. Employees on labour hire contracts, such as agency staff and contractors, are not eligible to apply for this position.

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.