Senior Policy Officer

About the role

The VIT is seeking applications to fill a full-time ongoing role as Senior Policy Officer (Legal) in the Strategy, Accreditation, Professional Practice and Policy Branch.

The Senior Policy Officer (Legal) role offers an outstanding career opportunity for a professional who is passionate about using their expertise to support VIT in its regulation of Victorian teachers. With expert knowledge on policy and law, strong attention to detail and excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills , the role will ensure VIT is well informed in be a high performing regulator.

Key accountabilities

This role will require you to

• Undertake a broad range of activities relating to policy development and analysis on complex matters, including briefings for VIT's Executive and Council
• Manage key strategic projects related to legislative and policy reform
• Provide specialist advice on policy issues to a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Plan the policy development process, identifying decision makers, policy requirements, issues and risks and key stakeholders
• Use innovative thinking and analysis when considering policy development.
• Undertake legal research in relation to policy options and strategic directions
• Provide legal advice in relation to policy development, legislative reform and the delivery of strategic project
• Apply complex concepts to policy development and research
• Initiate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to understand their needs and to influence policy implementation
• Prepare policy options and proposals consistent with organisational objectives, legislative requirements and VIT's strategic plan
• Provide authoritative, strategic and practical policy and legal advice to VIT's Executive and Council
• Communicate project plans to relevant stakeholders to build capability and understanding
• Identify and map the scope of a project to deliver business needs
• Maintain an understanding of contemporary risk-based and outcomes-focused regulatory practice and be knowledgeable about key state and national priorities in education
• Collaborate with VIT's Corporate Legal Counsel and the Professional Conduct Branch in the delivery of legal advice and options of policy development
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Director Strategy, Accreditation, Professional Practice and Policy and/or Manager Strategic Policy and Projects.

Key selection criteria

As an experienced policy officer, you will have sound and practical knowledge of current best policy management practices. You will have experience in policy development, project management, providing legal advice, and ideally a passion for child safety and experience working within the education sector.

You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, project management skills combined with a highly organised approach and a proven track record in policy development, law and regulation.

In addition to this, as the successful candidate, you will have

1. Experience in managing organisation-wide frameworks and processes to lead the development, implementation, monitoring and review of governance, corporate and regulatory policies.
2. Experience conducting research (including legal research) and analysis to identify policy issues and contemporary practices and approaches that inform the policy development process.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
4. Experience in project management which demonstrates an ability to produce detailed project plans where objectives are defined and action steps for achieving them are clearly specified.
5. Ability to deliver tangible business outcomes as a result of critically evaluating problems from multiple perspectives and delivering effective solutions
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with internal colleagues across an organisation and with external stakeholders to inform policy development and to influence policy implementation
7. Ability to respond positively to changing circumstances and demonstrate flexibility to deliver consistent quality work in the face of challenging situations.
8. Admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner with a current Victorian Practising Certificate (or the ability to acquire one) with some experience in providing high level and accurate advice on legal and policy matters, especially those dealing with administrative law, criminal law and statutory interpretation.

About VIT

The VIT is an independent statutory authority, whose primary function is to regulate members of the teaching profession to ensure quality teaching, and provide for the safety and wellbeing of children.

We offer a supportive, inclusive working environment, plus an attractive remuneration package and flexible work options. Our teams of diverse, high performing individuals are supportive and inclusive. Every role at VIT provides for the safety and wellbeing of children; our work enables quality teaching and the best educational outcomes for young Victorians.

The VIT promotes and encourages the Victorian Public sector Employees Code of Conduct of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights.

The VIT is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and identities. It is the VITs policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with disability. We pride ourselves on allowing our staff to grow to their full potential, by offering new professional challenges and providing career growth opportunities.

How to apply

To apply please submit your resume and cover letter (of no more than 5 pages) via the following link:

Applications close 11:59pm 19 October 2025.