Principal Policy Advisor

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $138,631 - $185,518

Grade: VPS 6

Occupation: Policy

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/PES/1879240

The Principal Policy Advisor provides advice and guidance on board and entity recruitment and appointment practices and processes within the Department of Education and associated portfolio entities. Applicants with an understanding of government decision making processes and reporting frameworks; represent the VPS values; and have experience in both developing and providing strategic advice, and developing practical innovative solutions, would be suitable for this role.

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 Branch:

The Cabinet and Parliament unit is responsible for the department's Cabinet and Parliament business processes, including providing specialist advice, reporting and coordination. The unit also coordinates and provides policy and business process advice on achieving board diversity, good practice recruitment, remuneration and appointments.

About the Role

The Principal Policy Advisor provides advice and guidance on board and entity recruitment and appointment practices and processes within the Department of Education and associated portfolio entities. Applicants with an understanding of government decision making processes and reporting frameworks; represent the VPS values; and have experience in both developing and providing strategic advice, and developing practical innovative solutions, would be suitable for this role.

Attributes

This position leads policy implementation of the Victorian Government's advice and guidance on appointment and recruitment for public entity boards and delivers overall coordination of board recruitment and appointment processes within the department.

The role provides policy and implementation advice to the department's Portfolio Boards Leadership Working Group and the department's Executive Board concerning strategies and actions to support ongoing innovation and good practice. As part of this work, the role is responsible for developing reporting frameworks and analytical approaches to measure and assess outcomes; and provide advice on a range of matters related to good practice remuneration and appointment processes.

As required, the role also provides strategic support for the department's Cabinet and Parliament functions.

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 Susan George -

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 26-Aug-2025

Applications close Tuesday 26 August 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

12 August 2025