The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.
Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.
The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmental vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll‐out of universal 3‐year‐old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher‐led, play‐based early learning before school by 2032.
About this role
The Principal Policy Advisor will lead the development of strategic policy analysis, expert advice, and high‐level papers and briefings on whole‐of‐government policy impacting early childhood.
Your Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development of strategic policy advice for the Chief Executive and Minister on early childhood issues.
* Build and maintain a network of professional relationships to support the delivery of high quality and timely advice to executives.
* Use strategic thinking and research skills to analyse and evaluate complex and sensitive policy issues and develop policy under broad direction.
About you
You will bring extensive experience in working independently and under pressure to analyse complex information and develop high quality strategic advice.
Your exceptional communication skills to enable you to successfully engage and influence stakeholders to foster collaboration and develop whole of government positions on complex policy issues.
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
* Extensive experience in analysing and evaluating complex and sensitive policy issues and developing policy advice as well as successfully consulting, negotiating and influencing stakeholders in a manner that fosters collaboration and achieves high quality outcomes.
* Proven skills in developing written briefings of a high standard that convey complex information in a clear, succinct manner for a range of audiences, including senior levels of government and for public release.
* Ability to work collaboratively, under broad direction and deliver high‐quality work within tight timeframes.
* A role with real influence and impact in early childhood policy.
* Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector.
* Opportunity to work directly with senior executives across government.
* Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia's children and families.
* Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self‐education expenses, and more.
* Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.
Application Instructions and Information
Applicants must submit a CV, Pre‐employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description.
Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA by clicking on Apply.
Closing Date
Sunday 14 June 2026 at 11:45pm.
Remuneration
This is a full‐time 2‐year long‐term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.
For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.
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