Principal Policy Adviser

About the Role

The Principal Policy Adviser leads the development of advocacy positions and policy on a range of critical, high-profile issues across the early childhood portfolios, such as:

• National child safety and quality reform including development of national positions and alignment with Victorian child safety initiatives.
• Advocacy to the Commonwealth on and negotiating of funding agreements including the next Preschool Reform Agreement and the Building Early Education Fund.
• Advocacy to the Commonwealth on significant national Early Childhood Education and Care system reform including in response to the Victorian Rapid Child Safety Review.
• Advocacy to align Commonwealth early childhood reform with Victoria's Best Start, Best Life reforms.
• National policy matters relating to the early childhood portfolio including workforce, automatic mutual recognition, First Nations policy and AERO

This role involves developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the department, within Victorian Government and across other jurisdictions.

Attributes

To be successful in this position, you will have excellent written communication skills, sophisticated policy and analysis skills, the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to inform Victorian positions and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Experience in strategic and intergovernmental policy at any level of government is desirable.

To apply

Please provide your CV and a response addressing the key selection criteria (no more than 2 pages).

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 Cecily Jones - Manager, National Early Childhood Policy Team via or

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.

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 Intergovernmental Relations Branch including the National Schools Policy team, the National Early Childhood Policy team and the National School Reform Agreement team.

The Branch is a fast paced, collaborative and high performing environment that influences national policy discussions and negotiations. The Branch:

• Provides strategic advice to ministers and senior officials in national negotiations.
• Ensures national, whole of Victorian Government and interagency issues are considered as part of the department's policy development and program delivery.
• Works across the department on the development, implementation and reporting of intergovernmental agreements across the portfolio.
• Manages key partnership arrangements and supports senior executive participation in governance bodies on behalf of the department.

Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025.