Manager, Financial Counselling Policy

About us
The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.
About the role
The Community Programs branch is a part of the consumer affairs portfolio within the department. It manages a range of programs that are delivered to Victorians experiencing vulnerability including the financial counselling, renting and consumer programs. The team also oversees the Victorian Property Fund grants program, which provides property related grants such as housing assistance for low income or disadvantaged Victorians, environmentally sustainable housing and community education, advice or information relating to property issues.
Reporting to the General Manager, Community Programs, the Manager, Financial Counselling Policy is accountable for leading the development financial counselling strategy and policy, and engagement with the financial counselling sector. The Manager will demonstrate leadership of financial counselling related policy issues, working across state government departments and agencies, and engaging with the federal government. The Manager will also work closely with members of the Community Programs team, including those managing existing financial counselling programs, and with teams across the department.
**Key accountabilities include**:

- Lead the development of financial counselling strategy and policy, including working across government and in consultation with the financial counselling sector.
- Initiate and manage internal and external stakeholder consultations and negotiations to gain commitment to the policy agenda and program initiatives, and delivery of activities to meet timelines.
- Provision of accurate and timely advice to support high-quality advice to ministers and executives, and the preparation of briefings, media and communication materials.

About you
To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

- Experience leading and managing complex policy and/or legislative reform priorities and programs
- Experience in working with stakeholders in the development of strategic plans
- Experience in working with or in the financial counselling sector or community service organisations will be highly regarded

Desirable requirements
- A tertiary qualification in a relevant field would be highly regarded.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description.
This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.
How to apply
- a resume; and
- a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

Other relevant information
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.
DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.