Policy Officer

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Department of Health

**Salary**: $92,332 - $104,762

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/DH/HHS/1790624

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.
- Join the supportive team at DH as a Policy Officer
- 1x Full-time, Ongoing, VPS 4 position
- Melbourne CBD/Hybrid + Flexible working options + L&D opportunities + more VPS benefits

**About the role**:
The Planned Care Recovery and Reform Program is responsible for continuing to drive best practice across the planned patient journey. This cuts across both co-design and delivery of system reform through to system governance and accountability, underpinned by a focus on equity and priority populations (such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Victorians) to ensure timely and equitable access to planned care for all Victorian consumers.

The Policy Officer, Reform Design and Delivery, will contribute to the identification, development and implementation of initiatives to reform the planned care systems (planned surgery and outpatient care), whilst building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders who represent a workforce, consumer and government lens. Front and centre of this is the implementation of the Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint, containing ten key reforms to reshape the Victorian planned surgery system. Additionally, the unit leads priority projects and election commitments, such as the 10,800 laparoscopies for endometriosis and associated conditions initiative and the Metro CRM Project, as well as providing oversight and management of 8 Delivery and Innovation Teams and 23 Patient Support Units (who are health service based planned care recovery and reform entities), which drive on the ground improvement.

Demonstrating relevant experience and expertise in health systems, government processes, stakeholder consultation, policy design, and program implementation, this role will provide the opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and impart enduring reform in the healthcare sector. You will work closely with team members and other partners to coordinate advice on cross-portfolio strategic policy issues, corporate, budget, staffing, governance and financial matters. You will contribute to a positive team culture to build and sustain positive stakeholder relationships.

**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**:

- Contribute to the development and maintenance of multi-level stakeholder engagemetn strategies, processes, and projects to support the effective implementation of reforms
- Adhere to quality control mechanisms to ensure completeness and accuracy of presentation and delivery of information and events
- Undertake and contribute to complex projects, preparation of briefs, submissions, correspondences, and reports on a range of sensitive issues
- Assess and provide information and advice on compliance with the work area's processes and guidelines

**Our next Policy Officer**:
To be successful in this role you will be comfortable working in complex policy spaces, with skills in policy development, written communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving with high quality product development. The role requires someone who is a proactive self-starter with an understanding of government processes and an ability to work in a complex, sensitive and fast-paced environment with mínimal direction. You are diligent, have high levels of adaptability, and are able to build positive relationships with stakeholders.

To learn more please click ‘Apply' to view the Position Description on the Careers.vic website.

**What we offer**:

- The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
- A wide range of growth and development opportunities