Essential Services Commission of South Australia
Job reference:
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone
Full-time, temporary contract up to 18-months
ASO6/7 - $98,478 - $116,864 plus superannuation
Classification and salary dependant on level of skill and experience.
Do you:
* have a passion for solving complex regulatory policy challenges through rigorous research, stakeholder engagement and analysis?
* enjoy overseeing a variety of policy and research initiatives that deliver impactful recommendations to decision-makers, ultimately supporting South Australian consumers?
* appreciate flexibility and the option to undertake hybrid working?
If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our dynamic team as a Senior / Principal Policy Officer to assist the Essential Services Commission in supporting the development of high-quality, evidence-based regulatory policy advice that protects the long-term interests of South Australian consumers.
About the role
Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Senior / Principal Policy Officer is an integral member of the Consumer Protection and Pricing group’s small multi-disciplinary team. This position plays a key role in conducting high-quality research and analysis to support the development and evaluation of policy recommendations for the Commission with the purpose to protect the long-term interests of South Australian consumers.
Your responsibilities will include:
* Policy development and evaluation: Manage and deliver discrete policy projects, including the design and delivery of primary research to address complex regulatory and policy issues.
* Research and analysis: Undertake rigorous qualitative and quantitative research drawing on economics, public administration and behavioural insights to assess policy options and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks.
* Advice and communication: Develop, deliver and present clear, concise and persuasive written and verbal advice to inform Commission decisions.
* Stakeholder engagement: Develop publications and deliver engagement strategies to support stakeholder participation in Commission reviews.
* Consultant management: Manage external consultants undertaking specialist economic and regulatory work, ensuring delivery within agreed scope, timeframes and budgets.
About you
To be successful in this position, you will need to demonstrate:
* Public policy and legislative analysis: Proven experience analysing complex public policy problems using quantitative and qualitative methods in conjunction with demonstrated capability in interpreting legislation to translate research and legislative requirements into clear, practical and compliant policy advice that supports government decision-making.
* Project management and research experience: Demonstrated experience in managing policy and research projects, including engaging with a range of stakeholders and managing consultants.
* Exceptional communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analysis clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
* Educational background: Tertiary qualification in economics, law, public policy and administration, behavioural science or another relevant social science is essential for this position.
* Values-Driven Approach: A genuine commitment to the Commission’s core values: accountability, collaboration, agility, respect, and integrity.
About the Commission
The Commission is a statutory authority established as an independent economic regulator and advisory body to protect the long-term
interests of South Australian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services. We add long-term
value to the South Australian community by meeting our objective through independent, ethical and expert regulatory decisions and the provision of robust advice to Government.
Our work is anchored in our core values of Accountability, Collaboration, Agility, Respect, and Integrity.
Our role incorporates licensing, consumer protection, service standards, pricing, monitoring, compliance and public reporting in the water, electricity and gas industries, and access regulation of essential ports and rail infrastructure. We also provide advice and conduct Inquiries to inform the South Australian Government on economic and regulatory policy issues and provide advice to local government.
What we can offer
The Commission and the South Australian public sector promote diversity and flexible ways of working, including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.
We support our employees to deliver high quality outcomes by genuinely providing a great work culture, fostering employee relations and valuing health and wellbeing. We also offer all staff ongoing professional development and access to generous learning and development provisions. We offer hybrid ways of working for all staff and support flexibility for our people.
We are committed to an inclusive workplace that values diversity, and actively promote a culturally safe workplace by developing and implementing inclusion-based action plans, including a Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access Inclusion Plan.
In addition, the Commission is proudly White Ribbon Australia accredited and adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards domestic violence and disrespectful behaviours of any kind in the workplace and in the broader community.
Special Conditions for Employment
* Employment is dependent upon the provision of a National Police Certificate that the Commission considers satisfactory.
* Some out of hours work may be required to meet critical deadlines.
* Some intrastate and or interstate travel may be required.
How to apply
To be consider for this role; your application should include the following:
* An updated resume, listing at least current 2 referees
* A cover letter which addresses the following three questions only:
o Describe your experience in designing and delivering policy and/or research projects that informed government decision-making. What was your research and analysis approach and how did you ensure the quality and impact of your work?
o Provide an example of how you have clearly and persuasively communicated complex policy advice to both a non-technical audience and to senior decision-makers.
o Please describe your personal values and explain how these would guide you while working at the Commission.
* A completed and signed Pre-Employment Declaration form. A copy of the form can be found in the listing for this vacancy or on our website.
* Please combine all three documents into one PDF and submit the PDF only.
Applications should be addressed to Amelia Greer, HR Business Partner and sent via if you feel that further guidance or support might assist you with the application process and we will be happy to discuss this further with you.
Applications close Sunday, 8 February at 11.00pm.
Applications close: 08/02/2026 11:00 PM Attachments:
* Position Description
* P12606
* ASO6-7 Senior
* Principal Policy Officer
* Term Contract.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_ .pdf
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.