Principal Policy Adviser

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time / Until 2 February 2026

Organisation: Department of Health

**Salary**: $134,593 - $180,115

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/DH/HHS/720914

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We’re focused on supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

**About the role**:
Are you:

- Experienced in coordination of briefings, including secretariat functions and briefing executives?
- Able to build successful relationships with people working at all levels and across government departments, including other jurisdictions?
- An excellent communicator with high level written and verbal communication skills?

The Principal Policy and Engagement Officer, supports the Manager, Health Workforce Taskforce to deliver on Workforce Strategy and Planning Branch's interjurisdictional responsibilities. The role maintains coordination and oversight of the Health Workforce Taskforce (HWT) and coordinates and leads responses to new and emerging issues and risks relating to interjurisdictional health workforce responsibilities. The role also contributes to policy and project work across the branch.

To be successful in this role you will be a high performing team member comfortable working in complex policy spaces, with exceptional skills in project management, written and verbal communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving, and stakeholder management. The role requires someone who is able to work autonomously and who is a proactive self-starter with a strong understanding of government processes and an ability to oversee work in a sensitive and fast-paced environment. The role requires someone who is diligent, with high levels of adaptability, and who is able to build positive relationships with stakeholders. This role also requires someone who is agile and able to adapt to changing environments quickly.

**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.

**How you'll make a difference**:
**Suitable applicants will be able to demonstrate**:
**Knowledge and Skills**

Leadership - Builds a cohesive team with clarity around goals and accountabilities; obtains needed personnel, resources, and information for the team; supports individuals and the team, delegating responsibilities appropriately; brings together the best possible group to achieve objectives.

Policy Skills - Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; keeps up-to-date with a broad range of contemporary issues; scans for links and potential implications of proposed policy options; liaises with stakeholders.

Project Management - Consults, liaises with and influences key stakeholders; produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and actions for achieving them are clearly specified; monitors performance against objectives and manages project risks and issues; ensures project objectives are met.

**Personal Qualities**

Decisiveness - Takes rational and sound decisions based on a consideration of the facts and alternatives; makes tough decisions, sometimes with incomplete information; evaluates rational and emotional elements of situations; makes quick decisions where required; commits to a definite course of action.

Integrity - Committed to the public interest; operates in a manner that is consistent with the organisation's code of conduct; inspires trust by treating all individuals fairly.

Initative and Accountability - Proactive and self-starting; seizes opportunities and acts upon them; takes responsibility for own actions.

Demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to meet deadlines while working in pressured situations.

**Qualifications / Specialist Expertise**

Qualifications - A tertiary qualification in fields related to health, public policy, business and/or management, or health administration would be desirable.

Specialist Expertise - Significant knowledge and experience in government, health sector and/or health service delivery w