Company description:
The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. For more information about the Department of Education, please visit
Job description:
Senior Policy Officer
Clerk 9/10 (ID 7195)
At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners - from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.
* One Ongoing Full-Time role and one Temporary Full-Time
* Location Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available.
* Salary $129,464 to $142,665
About the role
* Provide strategic policy advice on complex issues and develop solutions that influence government decisions and deliver real outcomes.
* Build relationships with key stakeholders across government to drive collaborative policy development and reform.
* Deliver meaningful work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment where your analysis and advice will directly inform government priorities.
Key accountabilities
* Research, analyse and review complex policy issues, identifying emerging issues, developing evidence-based options, and recommended solutions to resolve problems and mitigate risks
* Provide expert policy advice and information to relevant stakeholders to facilitate the appropriate interpretation and implementation of policies and support Agency and/or Government policy initiatives
* Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating their engagement in, and contribution to, the identification and development of policy solutions and to inform policy decision making
* Monitor, evaluate and report on the development and/or implementation of policies to identify issues and ensure the achievement of desired outcomes
* Mentor and guide policy officers and support staff, ensuring compliance with governance and quality requirements, to successfully deliver policy priorities and initiatives
* Prepare correspondence, written reports, publications, and briefs that are informative and aligned with agency requirements to respond to Government requests
Key challenges
* Achieving multiple project objectives, given limited resources and tight deadlines and the need to identify project interdependencies and balance competing demands and priorities.
* Delivering policy initiatives and projects to the required standards and timeframes, given the need to rapidly understand and integrate information and adapt in an often changing and unpredictable environment.
Senior Policy Officer, Skills Office (Ongoing Full-Time)
The Skills Office provides strategic advice and coordination to support the establishment of new skills policy and reform initiatives. This includes:
* Scoping of new reforms and projects to ensure they are effectively defined and positioned for successful implementation.
* Identifying areas for improvement and best practices across tertiary education.
* Managing intersections across the department related to tertiary education.
* Providing advice on strategic policy issues and support with project planning to ensure optimal reform delivery.
For further information please click here to view the role description
Senior Policy Officer, Skills Policy (Temporary Full-Time)
The Skills Policy team provides strategic policy advice to support the NSW Government implement its current reform agenda and identify new opportunities for reform to maximise outcomes for NSW.
For further information please clickhereto view the role description
Primary purpose of the role
The Senior Policy Officer manages and coordinates the development and implementation of a range of policy initiatives to contribute to the delivery of the Department's tertiary policy priorities, related to skills, vocational education and training, and higher education.
About you
1. Natural problem-solver, skilled at analysing complex issues and developing practical, evidence-based solutions.
2. Proactive and self-driven, takes initiative to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and lead improvements.
3. Highly organised and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities and deliver quality work within tight timeframes.
4. An interest in public policy and a passion for driving reform.
5. Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Essential requirements of the role
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
Benefits
* Flexible working arrangements
* 35 hour working week
* Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
* Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
* Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth
How to apply
Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.
Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.
If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.
All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.
Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.
As a condition of employment, successful candidates who have not previously worked for the department will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number. This option would allow the WWCC to naturally expire without further communication needed with the employee. The employer obligations under the WWCC would apply for duration of the WWCC's validity (up to 5 years)
Closing date Friday 5 September at 11:59pm.
For role enquiries please contact Jenny Xu at or and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Julie Nguyen at
We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.
A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.