Senior Policy

Senior Policy and Project Officer

Clerk 9/10 (ID 7160)

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Temporary Full-Time up to 20/3/26 with possibility of extension
• Location - Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary $129,464 to $142,665  

About the role

• Deliver a range of projects as part of broader NSW Government reforms.
• Provide strategic policy advice on complex issues and develop solutions that influence government decisions and deliver real outcomes.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across government to drive collaborative policy development and reform.
• Deliver meaningful work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment where your analysis and advice will directly inform government priorities.

Key accountabilities

• Research, analyse and review complex policy issues, identifying emerging issues, developing evidence-based options, and recommending solutions to resolve problems and mitigate risks
• Provide expert policy advice and information to relevant stakeholders to facilitate the appropriate interpretation and implementation of policies and support Agency and/or Government policy initiatives
• Build and maintain strong working partnerships and networks with key stakeholders, facilitating their engagement in, and contribution to, the identification and development of policy solutions and to inform policy decision making
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the development and/or implementation of policies to identify issues and ensure the achievement of desired outcomes
• Mentor and guide policy and support staff, ensuring compliance with governance and quality requirements, to successfully deliver policy priorities and initiatives
• Prepare written reports, publications, correspondence and briefs, that are informative and aligned with agency requirements, to respond to Agency and/or Government requests

Key challenges

• Influencing, shaping and aligning organisational outcomes by establishing short to mid-term operational plans and building effective relationships with high profile stakeholders who often have divergent views.
• Delivering policy initiatives and projects to the required standards and timeframes, given the need to rapidly understand and integrate information and adapt in an often changing and unpredictable environment.
• Providing advice on and solutions to contentious issues within tight timeframes.

The Skills Policy team provides strategic policy advice to support the NSW Government implement its current reform agenda and identify new opportunities for reform to maximise outcomes for NSW.

Primary purpose of the role

The Senior Policy and Project Officer manages and coordinates the development and implementation of a range of policy initiatives and projects to contribute to the delivery of the Department's tertiary policy unit, related to skills, vocational education and training, and higher education.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you -

Natural problem-solver, skilled at analysing complex issues and developing practical, evidence-based solutions.

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2. Proactive and self-driven, takes initiative to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and lead improvements.
3. Experienced project manager who is highly organised and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities and deliver quality work within tight timeframes.
4. An interest in public policy and a passion for driving reform.
5. Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates who have not previously worked for the department will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number. This option would allow the WWCC to naturally expire without further communication needed with the employee. The employer obligations under the WWCC would apply for duration of the WWCC's validity (up to 5 years)

Closing date Friday 5 September at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Marilyn Ng at and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Julie Nguyen at

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team () or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.

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