Policy Officer

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Portfolio Strategy Division
- Adelaide, SA,Brisbane, QLD,Canberra, ACT,Darwin, NT,Hobart, TAS,Melbourne, VIC,Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW

This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

**Who we are**
The Portfolio Strategy Division is the department's central policy area. The division supports our ministers and the department to engage with the complex cross-cutting policy challenges in Australian climate, energy, environment and water policy. We lead on the Cabinet and Budget processes, strategic policy, First Nations policy, whole-of-portfolio projects, and work to build the department's policy capability.

The First Nations Branch is focused on engaging across the department to develop an understanding of policies and programs which impact First Nations people and their communities. Our work identifies opportunities to embed and deepen the department’s work on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, develop strategies to ensure that we are more consistent and strategic in our approach and support the department to build and maintain strong and respectful relationships with First Nations people.

There are multiple vacancies at the APS5, APS6 and EL1 classifications across three sections in the First Nations Branch: First Nations Policy and Programs; First Nations Cultural Competency and Engagement Practices; and the Advisory Committee Support section who are responsible for:

- Providing strategic oversight and delivery of a long-term First Nations strategy. This will align the departments work to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap priority reforms and targets and other whole of government priorities.
- Leading cabinet and budget approaches.
- Working collaboratively across the department to provide strategic advice and coordination of departmental engagement activities and cultural capability uplift.
- Providing the Secretariat to the Indigenous Advisory Committee and working across the department to improve collaboration across the department’s First Nations advisory committees.

**The Job**
As the APS 5 within the First Nations Branch your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

- Monitor workflow processes; mailboxes and coordinate and support events and/or activities.
- Undertake planning and implementation of small-scale projects as required.
- Work as part of a small team to support key branch and department deliverables.
- Represent the First Nations Branch
- Build productive relationships and inclusive networks through collaboration with providers, partners and internal and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to a respectful, open, inclusive, high-performing team culture.
- Demonstrated understanding of the matters impacting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and high-level capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
- Sound knowledge of First Nations culture and understanding of their spiritual connection to country, cultural authority, traditional lores, customs and values for managing Country.
- An in depth understanding of First Nations policy, programs, management and/or environmental reform and departmental programs with an insight into how First Nations expertise and engagement can drive better outcomes.
- A collaborative approach to problem-solving, continuous improvement, and a sense of optimism.
- Ability to be self-motivating and resilient in the face of leading and implementing change
- Ability to work collaboratively across the Branch and broader department to identify better practice and to translate that into a common standard of practice through developing and implementing guidance, training, tools and targeted advice to drive cultural capability uplift across the department.
- Ability to respectfully engage with First Nations communities and stakeholders to achieve impactful and sustainable outcomes for the department and its people.

**Skills and capabilities**
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide high quality information in a clear concise manner
- be an effective communicator with the ability to quickly build relationships with stakeholders
- demonstrate analytical, research and problem-solving skills
- exercise excellent decision-making skills and judgement, and have the ability to work independently and respond quickly to competing priorities
- ability to work effectively and sensitively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- demonstrate the ability to learn and navigate a wide rang