Senior Policy and Project Officer * Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (Plus superannuation) * Fixed Term position for 2 years * Usual hours of work: Full time * Usual work location: 289 Wellington Parade South, East Melbourne VIC 3002 The Role We are seeking a Senior Policy and Project Officer to provide high quality research, policy analysis, innovative and critical thinking in the complex area of vocational education and training (VET), qualifications, and national and state skills systems. Reporting to the Principal Policy Officer, National System Engagement and Reform Unit, the Senior Policy and Project Officer provide policy development and project management that focuses on skills reform for vocational education and training. The successful candidate will have strong conceptual and analytical skills, critical thinking and policy development skills and excellent communication skills. Main accountabilities: * Provide authoritative advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative solutions to drive forward skills reform in vocational education and training. * Undertake research, analysis and evaluation of policy options to deliver on the Unit's priorities, providing high quality, well-researched and evidence-informed advice to senior officers on skills reform and national skills system issues. * Develop appropriate strategies and engagement plans to support the agenda for skills reform and support the implementation of related projects including through engagement with key stakeholders and support for senior officers and executives. * Monitor projects and report on high priority issues, risks and trends, and lead the preparation of briefings, cabinet submissions, parliamentary documents, reports, policy proposals and options papers, and correspondence for a variety of audiences. * Establish and maintain effective working relationships and facilitate the flow of information across the VSA, the wider department and with key external stakeholders. * Develop and maintain an understanding of Commonwealth and State skills system policy reform directions to influence policy development. The Team The position Senior Policy and Project Officer forms a part of the Engagement and Skills Reform Branch, which sits within Victorian Skills Authority. The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) provides evidence-based planning and solutions to meet current and future skills needs in Victoria. We are an administrative office led by a chief executive officer and supported by an advisory board of key stakeholders. We report directly to the Minister for Skills and TAFE and work closely with the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery and the Skills and TAFE Group within DJSIR. Our role is to gather and analyse industry data, identify where there are current and emerging skills shortages in Victoria's workforce, work with stakeholders to develop strategies to fill these gaps and drive engagement, collaboration and innovation across Victoria's skills system. The VSA has three branches – Analysis and Insights Branch, Engagement and Skills Reform Branch, and Service Branch. Four units sit alongside the three branches – Clean Economy Unit, Corporate Services Unit, Future Skills Unit and the Office of the CEO and Deputy CEO. Find out more about the VSA at skills.authority.vic.gov.au 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; considers impact of policy to strategic plans, community needs, complementing programs and policies across the service. * Project management: produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and action steps for achieving them are clearly specified; monitors performance against objectives; keeps accurate records; manages project risks and issues; ensures project objectives are met * Systems thinking: Assesses situations and identifies the best systems tools for analysing, understanding the system and addressing problems; can apply system archetypes to identify common dynamics that appear in different situations; identifies and understands the impact of particular courses of action on other parts of a system or the organisation. * Stakeholder management: Identifies issues in common for one or more clients or stakeholders and uses them to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved. * Written and verbal communication skills: exceptional written and verbal communication skills; prepares complex briefs, letters, emails, and reports using clear, concise, and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used. Further Information For a confidential discussion, please contact Katrina Currie, Director, Engagement and Skills Reform on 0406 384 397 or katrina.currie@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, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and respond to the key selection criteria as outlined in the position description. Applications close at 23:59pm on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.