Policy Officer

APS 5 - $78,548 - $86,168 per annum plus superannuation
- Electricity Division
- Canberra, ACT,Melbourne, VIC,Sydney, NSW

Australia’s electricity system is going through unprecedented change, with the transition to net zero by 2050 requiring new ways of managing systems and markets. This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference by working on the Capacity Investment Scheme, a newly established scheme to accelerate investment in firmed renewable capacity. This will ensure reliability in the rapidly changing energy market into the future. The scheme will unlock at least $10 billion of new investment and 6GW of dispatchable power by de-risking investments in priority generation and storage projects across the National Electricity Market, the Western Australian market, and other smaller markets. It will work alongside the National Energy Transformation Partnership to coordinate action by the Commonwealth, states and territories.

**Who we are**
The Electricity Division in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is responsible for delivering on the Australian Government’s electricity policy commitments. This includes providing policy support to transition Australia’s economy to net-zero emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy security, reliability, and affordability.

The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) branch is part of the Electricity Division. The CIS branch is scaling up rapidly, and looking to fill multiple EL1/APS5-6 positions across three teams:
1. Commercial and Design Section

2. Targets and Modelling Section

3. Policy and Governance Section

Other open positions in the CIS branch are currently advertised. Applications to a particular team in the CIS may also be considered against open positions in other teams where relevant.

The Policy and Governance team is responsible for:

- leading on strategic policy for the branch including drafting Cabinet Submissions, Ministerial briefing and other policy documents
- designing governance and decision-making processes for the CIS and liaising with delivery partners
- inter-government stakeholder engagement, including with the Commonwealth central agencies on policy design
- development and passage of CIS legislative requirements with the support of Commonwealth lawyers
- managing public communications on the CIS, including contributing to Budget documents.

**The Job**
- Lead delivery of components of our teams’ work, collaborating with colleagues from across the department and external stakeholders - including other government agencies, industry, market bodies, and consumer representatives.
- Write clear and succinct analysis and policy advice and advise the Minister on key decision points.
- Contribute to transforming Australia’s electricity system towards a low-carbon, renewable energy future.

We value collegial discussion of ideas, collaboration, creativity and having fun while getting things done. Come and join us

**Work location**

**Please note** the merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future vacancies in the Electricity Division where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What we are looking for**

**Skills and capabilities**
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Policy and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret research and evidence.
- Coordination and organisational skills.
- Ability to develop productive relationships and work collaboratively with others.
- Enthusiasm with an eagerness to learn.
- Capable of working in fast-paced environments and meeting deadlines.

**Desirable qualifications**
- Tertiary qualifications in finance, economics, public policy, engineering, environmental science, or related disciplines would be useful, but are not a requirement.

**Citizenship**:

- To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

**Security Clearance** - This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

**For additional information, please read the Job Description below.