Principal Policy Adviser, Reform Design and Delivery

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time / Ongoing

Organisation: Department of Health

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

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/DH/HHS/1830515

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:

- An experienced strategic and innovative thinker with a passion for working with multiple stakeholders to address complex issues?
- Passionate about the health sector and how digital enablers can drive state-wide reform opportunities in planned care?
- A collaborative, enthusiastic team player who is committed to driving improvement and leading in high performing teams?

The Principal Policy Officer, Reform Design and Delivery, leads the identification, development and implementation of initiatives to reform the planned care systems (planned surgery and outpatient care), whilst building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders who represent a workforce, consumer and government lens. Front and centre of this is the implementation of the Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint, containing ten key reforms to reshape the Victorian planned surgery system. This role will be critical to leading the State-wide Customer Relationship Management Project implementation, as well as other priority projects and election commitments.

Demonstrating relevant experience and expertise in health systems, government processes, stakeholder consultation, policy design, and program implementation, this role will provide the opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and impart enduring reform in the healthcare sector. You will provide leadership to team members and work with other partners to coordinate advice on cross-portfolio strategic policy issues, corporate, budget, staffing, governance and financial matters.

To be successful in this role you will be a high performing team member comfortable working in complex policy spaces, with exceptional skills in policy development, written and verbal communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving, and product development. You will need to be able to work autonomously and will be accountable for the delivery of complex reform projects and initiatives. The role requires someone 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. You are diligent, have high levels of adaptability, and are able to build positive relationships with stakeholders. This role requires you to be agile and 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 & 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.

Project Management - Consults, liaises 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

Stakeholder Management - Identifies and manages a range of complex and often competing needs; identifies issues in common for one or more stakeholders and uses them to build mutually beneficial partnerships; and finds innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues.

Communication - Highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills, with an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, provide advice on processes and policy and work effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

The ability to express opinions, information and key points clearly and