Senior Policy Officer Evidence and Innovation

Senior Policy Officer, Change and Innovation

Employment Type: Full Time, Temporary (up to 11 months)

Join a team dedicated to supporting children, young people, and their families, facing mental health issues, and play a role in enhancing a health system to better meet their needs.

About us

• We are looking for a high performing Senior Policy Officer to join the Perinatal Child and Youth Mental Health team, Mental Health Branch, NSW Ministry of Health.
• The Mental Health Branch is responsible for developing, managing and coordinating NSW Ministry of Health policy, strategy and program funding relating to mental health. The work of the Mental Health Branch is delivered in partnership with local health districts and specialty health networks, community managed organisations, research institutions and other partners.
• The Ministry of Health offers its employees challenging and rewarding work with opportunities for career progression, learning, development and work-life balance.

To learn more about the Ministry and what benefits we offer, access our Employee Benefits Handbook.

About this role

This role involves managing and developing mental health policies and programs for the NSW Health Service, Ministry of Health, and related government agencies, specifically focusing on perinatal, child, and youth mental health. It includes overseeing projects, engaging directly with Local Health Districts (LHD), Specialty Health Networks (SHN), and other stakeholders to ensure innovative program design and implementation.

This role provides expert advice to senior executives and staff to ensure consistent policy application, prepare high-quality reports and briefs, and facilitates communication with key stakeholders. Additionally, they lead research efforts to address policy issues, evaluate new approaches, and support change management initiatives.

Crown Clerk 9/10, Salary from $129,464 - $142,665 p.a. plus Super and annual leave loading, with a 35-hour work week. It is a full-time, temporary position from October 2025 to September

For more information, please read the full Role Description.

What you'll be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Developing, reviewing, researching and evaluating mental health policies and programs for NSW Health, focusing on perinatal, child, and youth mental health, while engaging stakeholders to ensure innovative and effective program and service delivery.
• Leading and supporting mental health change management initiatives for NSW Health, using implementation science and redesign methods, focusing on perinatal, child, and youth mental health.

About you

• You are very organised with a proven ability to be pro-active, have a strong attention to detail and deliver high-quality work.
• You are a collaborative team member who is willing and able to get involved in new projects and support the team to deliver its objectives.
• You are a great communicator, adept at providing clear, accurate and timely advice tailored to different audiences.
• You can build strong relationships and engage stakeholders, including consumers and young people, to drive work towards shared outcomes.

How to apply

At The Ministry of Health, we want you to make the most of the opportunities you'll get to grow your skills and your career, surrounded by authentic, smart people and leaders.

Please review the role description and submit the following:

• Your up-to-date resume (up to 5 pages) and
• Cover letter (1-2 pages) explaining your interest and motivation in applying for this role and highlighting your relevant skills against the essential criteria

Use the link below to access our Capability Application tool, designed to help you excel in the recruitment process. Practice your responses with the example questions provided to effectively highlight your achievements and the strategies you used to accomplish them.

Capability application tool | NSW Public Service Commission

For role related queries or questions contact Karen Chown on and quote REQ602268.

If you do require any adjustments to the recruitment process during the recruitment process, please contact Lisa Byrne on

Closing Date: 11:59pm Sunday 05 October 2025

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Additional information

• This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
• This is a temporary role and there may be opportunities for ongoing employment at grade.
• For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal
• Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

Don't miss your chance to embark on this fulfilling journey Apply now

Applications Close: 11:59pm Sunday 05 October 2025