Policy Officer/economist

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Department of Treasury and Finance

**Salary**: $95,102 - $107,905

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/1802890S

Joining the Transport, Infrastructure, and Planning team as an Economist, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Victoria's transport, infrastructure and planning landscape. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a team that is addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our state, including cutting emissions, easing congestion, and improving land use planning to bolster housing supply.

**About us**

The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.

**Transport Infrastructure and Planning Team**

The Transport, Infrastructure and Planning team supports the government's agenda and aims to improve the lives of all Victorians by providing authoritative, influential and timely policy advice. This includes conducting analysis of economic trends and the distributional and sectoral impacts of economic policies.

The team plays a vital role in tackling key challenges such as cutting emissions, easing congestion in transport, improving land use planning to support housing supply and job growth, and considering reforms that make the best use of Victoria's significant infrastructure asset base.

**About the role**

Joining the Transport, Infrastructure, and Planning team as an Economist, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Victoria's transport, infrastructure and planning landscape. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a team that is addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our state, including cutting emissions, easing congestion, and improving land use planning to bolster housing supply.

As part of our dynamic and forward-thinking team, you will use your expertise in economics and/or public policy to deliver timely, accurate, and influential advice on a wide range of complex economic, financial, and public policy issues. Key responsibilities include engaging in rigorous economic analysis, leading and contributing to analysis that informs policy decisions, and communicating effectively with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders.

In this ongoing role, you will be responsible for:

- Using expertise in economics and/or public policy to provide timely, accurate, accessible and fit-for-purpose advice on complex economic, financial and/or public policy issues;
- Analysing, interpreting and synthesising information;
- Contributing to and managing projects across the team to inform policy development;
- Communicating with and influencing internal and external stakeholders;
- Collaborating within and outside the team (including other Victorian Government Departments) on economic, financial and/or public policy projects; and
- Contributing to fostering a positive team culture and participate in planning and decision-making in the Group.

**About you**
- **Influence**:Demonstrated expertise in effectively forming and influencing stakeholders' views during the development of policy positions, ensuring informed decision-making on complex government issues. Ability to present evidence-based recommendations that resonate with both internal and external stakeholders.
- **Communication**: Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex economic and policy issues in concise, accessible language. The role requires the capacity to engage persuasively with a variety of audiences, including senior government officials, to facilitate understanding and support for policy initiatives.
- **Teamwork**: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within team and engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders. A commitment to contributing positively to team dynamics and supporting the collective achievement of the team's objectives is key.

Experience and qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in economics, public policy, commerce, law or a related field are an advantage.

**About our culture**

We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.

The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.

**How to apply**

**Covid-19 Vaccination**
DTF 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