Principal Evaluation Officer

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time / Ongoing

Organisation: Department of Health

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

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/DH/SP/1830059

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**:
Do you have experience in delivering evaluations in a government context, using your qualitative research knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to defensible evaluations to support program areas and government decision making?

The Principal Qualitative Evaluator is integral to leading evaluation projects within the Victorian Government (Department of Health and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing), ensuring the delivery of timely and high-quality outcomes. In this role, you will lead the design and execution of evaluations, utilising fit for purpose and fit for cohort methodologies to generate representative and credible qualitative insights, that together with other information, can be synthesised into evidence that provides the basis for actionable recommendations that align with government priorities and budgetary constraints. You are expected to project manage evaluation teams and coach junior members to achieve high quality deliverables.

You will work collaboratively with other parts of the Department of Health and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to distil insights and tackle complex issues, providing practical, evidence-based advice that addresses local needs and operational realities. The products your team delivers will help inform decision-making and enhance the effectiveness of services.

In this role, you will also lead continuous improvement initiatives and provide on-the-job training for junior staff member. You will be expected to ensure successful completion of projects on schedule through use of project management skills. By staying abreast of new technologies, managing your priorities, and integrating feedback, you will play a crucial role in supporting the strategic and operational goals of the Victorian Government.

**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**

Qualitative Analysis - Expertise in designing and administering surveys end-to-end, including sampling, questionnaire design, survey deployment and analysis of survey data.

Expertise in designing and delivering qualitative evaluation elements including stakeholder mapping, designing and conducting appropriate data collection techniques, mindful of sampling to achieve efficient use of project resourcing.

Evaluation design and execution - Expertise in designing and executing evaluations using fit for purpose methodologies involving survey data, stakeholder feedback and other qualitative data sources. Triangulate this information with quantitative data sources to develop practical recommendations.

Internal Consultancy - Extensive experience in providing internal consultancy services. Proficient in identifying needs and delivering tailored solutions and advice, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and operational realities.

Stakeholder Engagement - Demonstrated ability to engage with government officials, community leaders, and policy experts. Experienced in drawing insights from across government to inform and address complex issues.

Continuous Improvement - Strong record of accomplishment in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and a feedback culture. Capable of leading teams, guiding performance, and supporting innovation and adaptability.

Communication and Reporting - Proficient in creating clear and impactful reports and presentations. Skilled in effectively communicating complex data and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) - **Activities Associated with support of HREC as required**, This may include overseeing elements of the HREC secretaris