Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Manager, Child Protection Policy, the Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy will lead work to drive improvements across Child Protection policy. 

The role requires a problem-solver who is highly organised, an excellent communicator and responsible for the provision of high quality and timely advice and products. You are adept at project management to achieve policy improvements, skilled at managing and maintaining key stakeholder relationships and working across multiple areas of the department to achieve outcomes. You can work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team to deliver outcomes. 

The Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy will be responsible for:

External governance and oversight: The Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy will coordinate and oversee system reform and improvement opportunities addressing recommendations from external oversight body inquiries, audits and investigations. This includes: 

• Developing systems and strategies to track and manage reporting regarding recommendations of external oversight bodies (including the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Coroners Court of Victoria, Victorian Auditor-General's Office and Victorian Ombudsman), 
• Driving strategic policy work, in collaboration with operational and divisional colleagues, to identify and leverage system insights from inquiry recommendations to drive system reform,  
• Liaising with and strengthening departmental relationships with external oversight bodies and other government departments, and 
• secretariat for regular meetings between the department and external oversight bodies. 

Continuous improvement of the Child Protection Manual: The Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy will drive improvements and updates to Victoria's Child Protection Manual. This includes: 

• Developing systems and strategies to track and manage updates to Victoria's Child Protection Manual, and 
• Driving strategic policy work, in collaboration with operational and divisional colleagues, to develop evidence-based policy to guide child protection practice.  

Strategic policy advice: The Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy will deliver strategic policy advice and projects to improve the children and families service system. 

Applicants should possess advanced skills in policy analysis, project management and stakeholder engagement. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• Project management - Drive the development and delivery of detailed, comprehensive project plans, including deliverables such as scope, budget, resourcing, risk and issues management, actions, and governance to deliver high-quality projects.    
• Analysis, evidence, and outcomes:  develop well researched, evidence-based, solutions-oriented policies to guide child protection practice. 
• Strategic engagement - Forge strong connections with key stakeholders and staff within the organisation and externally, working collaboratively to improve outcomes across the department and to deliver project outputs to external oversight bodies.   

Please open the position description to read more.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. 
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. 
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Please apply to submit your interest in this position.