Senior Policy and Engagement Officer

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce in the Department of Education and Training. The position is fixed term from Monday 6th October until 30th June 2027.

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

The Taskforce was established to lead a generational reform agenda in response to the 2020 Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling. These reforms will collectively support all Victorian secondary students to pursue high-quality and valued vocational pathways aligned to their strengths and interests and to finish schooling with the skills and capabilities they need for success in further education, training, work, and life.

The Senior Secondary Pathways Reform agenda is a high priority for the government. The Taskforce engages regularly with the Minister for Education and critical education, training, industry and community stakeholders.

Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students (VDSS) Branch. The VDSS branch leads reform activities to ensure students have access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) as part of their senior secondary schooling. The branch oversees VET funding, works with regional workforce to identify and develop policies to overcome access barriers and work with VET providers (including TAFEs) and develop policies to ensure adequate provision of VET for schools.

About the Role

The Senior Policy and Engagement Advisor will support the delivery of policy reforms and programs, specifically by leading stakeholder engagement activities to improve knowledge of VDSS reforms and identifying opportunities to build capacity across the system.

Priority work across the VET Delivered to School Students (VDSS) branch includes:

• Strengthening local partnerships and knowledge of VDSS through the professional learning of VET Clusters
• Supporting the increase of VET access by building knowledge of VET reforms across the school system
• Developing and implementing guidance for a VDSS lifecycle and IT solution with VET Clusters, Schools and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

Key responsibilities will include project design and implementation, planning and management. Excellent written communication and stakeholder management skills required.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Katrina King via or email

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 09 September 2025.