Principal Policy Officer

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 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:

1. Policy analysis and advice: The Principal Policy Officer, Child Protection Policy will deliver strategic policy advice and projects to improve the children and families service system. This work will be undertaken in collaboration with operational and divisional colleagues, to identify and leverage system insights to drive system improvement.
2. 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.
3. 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 working in collaboration with operational and divisional colleagues to develop evidence-based policy to guide daily child protection practice.

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

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• 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.
• 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. 

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.