Senior Policy Officer * Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (Plus superannuation) * Ongoing position * Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available) * Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (flexibility may be available) The Role We're looking for a strategic and collaborative Senior Policy Officer with demonstrated experience in policy development, strong analytical capabilities, and a sound understanding of government processes. The ideal candidate can translate complex issues into clear, evidence-based advice and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, system-wide reforms—particularly in areas such as education, skills, or economic development. The successful candidate will help shape policy, support implementation, and respond to evolving priorities. They will also play a key role in fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships, and supporting a culture of learning and continuous improvement—delivering real impact for the Victorian community. Main accountabilities: * Formulates policy options and advice. * Applies complex concepts to policy development or research. * Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and will contribute to the development of a set of final options for decision. * Manages an area with significant budget, staff responsibilities or strategic importance. * Decisions often impact upon staff, peers and clients outside the immediate work area. * Undertakes complex independent scientific, technical or specialist work and analysis. The Team The position of a Senior Policy Officer forms part of the ACFE, Pathways and Workforce branch, which is sit within Skills and TAFE (S&T) group. Skills and TAFE (S&T) focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs, and achieve their educational aspirations. Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA), S&T provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system. This includes oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network, led by the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD), and the apprenticeships system, with a strong focus on aligning training with industry needs and strengthening pathways into the workforce. The ACFE, Pathways and Workforce (APW) branch brings together practical linkages between pre-accredited learning and pathways to further training and workforce. APW works as part of the skills eco-system, working closely with the branches in S&T and the Victorian Skills Authority, DJSIR, and across State and Commonwealth Governments. About You To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience: * Policy Design and Development: Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; Develops a clear narrative for the policies and business cases including clear problem definition and objectives. * Managing People: Holds self and team accountable to public sector values and agreed performance standards; Supports achievement of outcomes by anticipating and resolving issues. * Project Delivery: Defines governance e.g. success measures, roles and responsibilities, progress monitoring) required to manage risks and maximise probability of success. * Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapts systems and processes quickly to changed priorities and situations. * Systems Thinking: Understands the linkages between systems and communities to inform policy; Conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation. * Stakeholder Engagement: Identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; Uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved. Further Information For a confidential discussion, please contact Tanya Hughes, Acting Manager, Policy in the Policy and Innovation team via email tanya.hughes@ecodev.vic.gov.au The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description. For Finance Roles: The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner. Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line. How to Apply Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, applicants will need to submit a resume and a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the position description. Applications close at 23:59pm on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.