Director Strategic Policy & Insights

About this role

Shape whole-of-government agricultural policy with data-driven insights that elevate priorities, sharpen strategy and strengthen outcomes across the sector.

About the role

The Director, Straegic Policy and Insights is responsible for leading a key policy team to provide strategic policy, insights and advice across the agriculture portfolio and Cabinet and intergovernmental matters, alongside planning, risk management and reporting. It will work to provide policy with an ‘agriculture first' lens but that take a whole of department, and whole of government view to ensure government and sectoral priorities progress.

This suite of business functions will work to streamline group coordination while enhancing policy, planning and reporting outcomes.

The branch is responsible for and has capacity to to achieve program outcomes with a dedicated focus on providing data and insights at a branch, division and Agriculture Victoria-wide that drives the development of evidence-based policy.

About you:

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in a subject-related discipline and relevant post graduate qualifications would be well regarded.

About the Group

Agriculture Victoria partners with farmers, industries, communities, government and research organisations to grow, modernise, protect and promote Victoria's agriculture. Agriculture Victoria forms part of an extensive local, national and international system to protect animal welfare and biosecurity, deliver policy, programs and research to understand emerging agricultural challenges like climate change, manage critical transitions such as forestry industry and food safety reform, promote domestic animal management, and enable economic productivity through innovative farming systems, skills and technologies.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to years. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call David Burns, Executive Director, Agriculture Policy and Programs on 0429 263 234 or email david.g.burns@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 11 January 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to:

• undertake pre-employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check

• have their misconduct declarations validated, irrespective of whether misconduct has been declared or not
• provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.
• provide evidence of their right to work in Australia

For more information about the pre-screening requirements for this position, please refer to the position description.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.