About the role: 

The Senior Policy Adviser will lead and deliver priority prevention and population health policy and reform initiatives, including work supporting Victoria's public health and wellbeing planning. This role leads defined workstreams, develops policy and reform options, and works across government and with key stakeholders to drive practical outcomes. The role also supports the development of population nutrition policies and food regulation approaches to prevent diet-related chronic disease.

The Senior Policy Adviser works collaboratively across the team, branch, and division, providing leadership on priority workstreams while maintaining a strong systems perspective and awareness of the broader policy, reform and operating environment. The Senior Policy Adviser will bring strong policy, analytical and data literacy to address complex issues, synthesising evidence and diverse perspectives into clear recommendations. The Senior Policy Adviser will deliver high-quality, timely and decision-focused material to support engagement and decision-making through governance forums, senior executive, sector partners and whole-of-Victorian-Government forums.

About us: 

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.  

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all. 

About you:

Key Accountabilities Include:

• Formulate policy options, recommendations and advice on priority prevention and population health issues, including Victoria's public health and wellbeing planning.
• Initiate and maintain effective relationships with peer and senior stakeholders across the department, Victorian Government and relevant external organisations.
• Apply innovative thinking and analysis to complex prevention and population health policy issues and develop practical options in a changing policy and operating environment.
• Make decisions on complex policy and reform matters that may impact stakeholders beyond the immediate work area, within established government and departmental frameworks.
• Interpret and apply government and departmental policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks to prevention, population health and food regulation matters.

Qualification(s)

• A graduate or postgraduate qualification in public health nutrition, nutrition and dietetics, or food policy would be desirable.
• A tertiary qualification in public policy, health economics, public health or a related discipline would be desirable. 

Specialist Expertise

• Demonstrated understanding of and expertise in strategic policy, system design, population and preventive health, and/or food regulation is desirable.
• Significant level of knowledge and understanding of public health nutrition, the determinants of health and of the principles, policies and practices of effective population health and primary preventive health.

What we offer: 

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply: 

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the ‘Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date. 

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at inclusion@health.vic.gov.au. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

If you have any queries in relation to participation in recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email talentacquisition@health.vic.gov.au. Please note that unsolicited applications from third parties cannot be accepted. If you have questions regarding the role, please message the contact person listed on the advertisement directly.  

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