Policy Officer, Strategic Projects

**About the role**:Are you**:

- a proactive problem solver with a passion for contributing to government policy and a desire to work on meaningful projects that impact the health and wellbeing of the community?
- adaptable and eager to grow, ready to take on varied tasks in a fast-paced environment, supporting senior policy work while developing your own skills and experience?
- a strong communicator and team player who thrives on collaborating with diverse stakeholders, gathering insights, and helping deliver innovative, practical policy solutions?

The role involves assisting in both high-level policy development and the day-to-day tasks of project management, stakeholder consultation, and reporting. The Policy Officer must be flexible and willing to handle whichever task is needed on a given day, contributing to government objectives while learning and growing in the role.
The Policy Officer works collaboratively with teams and partners to define issues, assist in gathering and analysing inputs, consult with stakeholders, and support the creation of practical policy solutions. Building positive relationships with colleagues and senior stakeholders is essential, and success in this role comes from contributing effectively within a supportive team environment.
**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
Policy Acumen
- Demonstrated ability to formulate and communicate public policy options and recommendations, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative inputs.
- Experience using policy frameworks to analyse complex issues and develop pragmatic, practical solutions.
- A broad understanding of contemporary policy issues, with the ability to scan the broader social, economic, and political context and identify the potential implications of proposed options.

Analytical Skills
- Experience using data analysis tools to assess the impact, feasibility, and effectiveness of policy initiatives.
- Ability to critically evaluate and adjust policy approaches based on outcomes and emerging evidence.

Project Management
- Proven experience in scoping, planning, and managing projects with clearly defined objectives, roles, and responsibilities.
- Ability to develop detailed project plans, monitor progress, and manage risks and issues effectively.
- Experience in delivering projects on time, within budget, and aligned with governance frameworks.
- Stakeholder management skills, supporting collaboration across multiple stakeholders for successful project outcomes.

Problem Solving
- Ability to gather and analyse relevant information to support the diagnosis and solution of policy problems.
- Experience in developing practical solutions, particularly in resource-constrained environments, and adjusting strategies as needed.

Consulting Skills
- Client-focused approach, with demonstrated ability to assist in understanding and addressing stakeholder needs.
- Experience in supporting systems-thinking approaches to problem-solving.

Systems Thinking
- Understanding of the interconnections between social, economic, and environmental systems, and how they inform effective policy solutions.

Communication Skills
- Proven ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.
- Experience preparing high-quality reports, presentations, and briefings, ensuring clarity and influence.
- Experience contributing to discussions and consultations with stakeholders, ensuring transparency, collaboration, and shared understanding.

Personal Qualities
Integrity - Committed to the public interest; operates in a manner that is consistent with the organisations code of conduct; inspires trust by treating all individuals fairly.
Creativitity and Innovation - Generates new ideas; draws on a range of information sources to identify new ways of doing things; actively influences events and promotes ideas; translates creative ideas into workplace improvements; reflects on experience and is open to new ways to improve practice.
Teamwork - Cooperates and works well with others in pursuit of team goals, collaborates and shares information, shows consideration, concern and respect for others feelings and ideas, accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others, encourages resolution of conflict within the group.
Agility and Resilience - Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing priorities and challenges, while maintainin