Principal Policy Officer, Queensland Health

Take the next step in your career with this exciting opportunity within the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy and Planning Branch. In this role, you will lead, manage and undertake strategic and statewide projects and activities and contribute to the delivery of a range of programs, including the initiatives and priorities of Better Care Together: a plan for Queensland's state-funded mental health, alcohol and other drug services to 2027.

The team has a primary focus on mental health strategy for adult, older adult and forensic populations. In this role you will be valued for your relevant knowledge and experience in managing complex projects. You will enable and lead multiple projects and / or areas of work, under the direction of the Manager and Director, Mental Health Strategy and Partnerships, and the Branch Executive.

What you'll do

• Lead and manage the development, implementation and evaluation of specified strategic and statewide projects in line with Queensland Health project management methodologies to ensure the delivery of timely and quality project outcomes.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders including consumers, carers and families and across government and non-government sectors.
• Liaise, consult and partner with key stakeholders to develop effective and innovative responses to better meet the health and service needs of people with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Provide accurate and timely advice and guidance to stakeholders and senior management on issues relating to specific projects and the broader environment.
• Prepare and contribute to timely and high quality briefing documents, submissions, correspondence and reports including project management plans and materials.

About you

We are searching for someone with:

• Demonstrated high-level ability to manage complex system-wide and/or state-wide projects that are time-critical and achieve expected deliverables relevant to MHAOD strategy and planning.
• Demonstrated strong negotiation, consultation, facilitation and verbal communication skills, including experience in cultivating productive working relationships and partnerships across a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• High level written and research skills including the capacity to develop reports, discussion papers and submissions.
• High level strategic, conceptual, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated strong ability to formulate and communicate strategic advice to diverse stakeholders relevant to the MHAOD service system.
• Ability to actively participate in an environment supporting contemporary human resource management practices, including equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination, occupational health and safety, ethical behaviour, Public Sector Management Commission Standards, and associated Queensland Health policies.
• Strong understanding or demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of the mental health service system, including the complex interrelationships across sectors, relevant policy, issues and strategic direction at a national and state level.

Why work with us?

Work alongside passionate professionals in a supportive and inclusive environment that values people and prioritises employee success and wellbeing. This includes

Competitive salaries

• 12.75% superannuation
• 17.5% leave loading

Employee wellbeing

• 38 full time work week
• Access to 24/7 confidential employee support providers and counsellors including for immediate family members
• Additional flexibility to support your work life balance including access to generous leave entitlements, such as purchased leave, domestic violence leave, reproductive health leave, cultural leave, study and examination leave.

Professional development

• Career progression with more than 300 diverse career pathways and career support to take you further
• Access to a variety of programs and initiatives to support training and career growth.
• Grow your skills through hands-on experience and access to internal training opportunities and additional financial and leave benefits for approved external training and development.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Queensland Health, our work environment is inclusive and supportive, and we value our employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all cultures, abilities and backgrounds.

Our commitment to cultural safety, equity, diversity and inclusion means we understand some people may need changes to the recruitment process. If you need support during the recruitment process, such as meeting with the panel virtually instead of in person, please reach out to the hiring manager. We value diverse candidates and your need for adjustments will not affect our hiring decisions.

Ready to apply?

For further information on how to apply please review the attached Role Description.