Principal Policy Officer

Lead and manage priority policy decisions
- Influence change within early childhood education and development
- Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders

The Office for Early Childhood Development has been formed to create a fairer and better future for all children in South Australia.

As the steward of the early childhood development system, the Office will act on behalf, and work in collaboration with the sector, to organise and connect the system to reduce developmental vulnerability.

This includes strategy for the provision of quality preschool for all three and four-year-olds, supporting families in the first 1000 days of a child’s life and implementing a workforce strategy.

**Role Overview**

The Principal Policy Officer will lead and manage a critical program of work to deliver complex policy and data analysis and expert advice to support the development of whole of government policy positions in response to the Royal Commission. This includes forecasting advice to government on provision of preschool places, leading data analysis and management of data models spanning relevant inputs, and leading advice on funding strategy.

The position will provide expert advice to support high-level strategic engagement with key government and non-government stakeholders and will engage with key agencies through working groups and other engagement structures.

**Key Responsibilities**

The Principal Policy Officer plays a pivotal role in steering and coordinating a vital program aimed at formulating comprehensive government policies in response to the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. This involves leading the preparation of forecasting advice for preschool provision, managing data analysis and models, and guiding funding strategy development. The officer ensures timely expert analysis of research and data relevant to Royal Commission outcomes, maintaining relationships with consultancy firms. Additionally, they will lead stakeholder relationships, contribute expert analysis on complex policy questions, and support proactive engagement with agencies.

**Skills, **Knowledge** and Experience**
- Qualifications: Tertiary degree or relevant vocational experience.
- Project Management: Extensive experience in strategic project delivery.
- Modelling and Analytics: Proficient in data analysis and funding models for policy.
- Policy Analysis: Analysing complex policy issues and developing options.
- Autonomy: Ability to work independently or in a team under broad policy guidelines.
- Discipline Knowledge: In-depth understanding of government priorities in early childhood education.
- Advising: Proven ability to develop clear, concise written and oral advice for decision-makers.
- Engagement: Expertise in consulting, negotiating, and influencing stakeholders collaboratively

**Special Conditions**:
The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry. The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN -EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

**Enquiries**:
**Application Instructions**:
Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

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