Senior Policy Officer

Senior Policy Officer

• Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (Plus superannuation)
• Fixed-Term position until 1 May 2026
• Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (flexibility may be available)

The Role

As a Senior Policy Officer, you will play a lead role in developing policies and designing programs which contribute to the department's objectives to improve VET participation of priority cohorts and increase completion rates for training. They research, analyse, and provide advice on policy matters, often with a focus on strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, and monitor the implementation of policies, evaluate their effectiveness, and make recommendations for improvements.  The role may involve:

• conducting research, analysing complex policy issues, and identifying emerging trends to inform policy development.
• developing policy options, drafting policy documents, and contributing to the creation of new policies or the modification of existing ones.
• building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders; providing them with expert policy advice and gathering input to ensure effective policy implementation.

Key accountabilities include:

• Initiates research and analysis within an area of expertise consistent with organisational objectives.
• Initiates and maintains relationships with peer and senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and will contribute to the development of a set of final options for decision.
• Innovative thinking and analysis influences developments within area of responsibility.
• Makes decisions in situations where there is some, but not definitive, precedent about the application of an organisational framework.
• Advice and analysis influences policy development.

The Team

The position of Senior Policy Officer will work within Policy & Strategy branch, which sits within Skills and TAFE (ST) group.

Skills and TAFE (ST) focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs, and achieve their educational aspirations.

Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA), ST provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system. This includes oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network, led by the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD), and the apprenticeships system, with a strong focus on aligning training with industry needs and strengthening pathways into the workforce.

ST supports lifelong learning and inclusive education through Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) and the Learn Local network, helping adult learners progress into further study or work. ST collaborates across government, industry, education providers, and communities to deliver skills-focused solutions that improve workforce outcomes and enable businesses to access a skilled workforce

About You

To be successful in this role you will have the following skills and experience:

• Policy Design and Development: Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; Develops a clear narrative for the policies and business cases including clear problem definition and objectives; Considers impact of policy to strategic plans, community needs, complementing programs and policies across the service.
• Project Delivery: Defines governance e.g. success measures, roles and responsibilities, progress monitoring) required to manage risks and maximise probability of success.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapts systems and processes quickly to changed priorities and situations.
• Systems Thinking: Understands the linkages between systems and communities to inform policy; Conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; Uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Kate Naish, Manager, Participation and Completions Policy via email

The department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

Please note: We are accredited as a Disability Confident Recruitment (DCR) organisation and committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Recruitment Team on , or via email at  with the position number in the subject line. For additional contact details for our team please review the attached Position Description, located under Job Attachments in the right hand menu.

How to Apply

Please click the 'Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your Resume and Cover Letter.

Applications close at 23:59pm on Sunday, 14th September 2025.