Senior Policy Officer

An exciting opportunity exists for a passionate and motivated individual to join the Social Policy Group, Families, Fairness and Housing Branch, as a Senior Policy Officer at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The Social Policy (SP) group brings together social policy expertise with coordination of the State's intergovernmental relations. SP is responsible for multicultural affairs and the education, families, fairness and housing, health, justice, and community safety and emergency management portfolios.

The Families, Fairness and Housing Branch shadows and supports the work of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). This is an exciting opportunity to work on reforms in policy areas that impact all Victorians, including some of the most vulnerable groups.

The core duties of the Senior Policy Officer role include providing high quality policy advice and analysis to the Premier, the Secretary, DPC executives and other senior officers across a range of issues within the Branch.

The role requires a proactive self-starter with good understanding of government processes and an ability to work in a complex, sensitive and fast paced environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong policy, analytical and communication skills coupled with an ability to influence stakeholders and work effectively in a team environment.

About You
As our ideal candidate, you will have:-

• Demonstrated policy skills, including analysing and critically evaluating information and the potential implications and risks of proposed policy options and keeping up-to-date with a broad range of contemporary issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to prepare briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language.
• Highly developed influencing and negotiation skills, with an ability to anticipate other positions, interests and preferred options and experience in engaging with senior executives.
• Sound conceptual and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to synthesise information from a range of sources and events, including from outside own areas of responsibility.
• A proven track record of successfully managing competing priorities by being flexible and adaptable, to meet deadlines while working in pressured situation.

*For more details regarding this position, please see attached position description for the key selection criteria to address in application.
The closing date for this position is midnight, Monday 05 January 2026.
*How to apply:
Apply before the advertised closing date, all applications should include:

• a resume
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.
Other Relevant Information
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DPC has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DPC employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disabilities. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.