Job Title
Senior Policy Advisor
State Government of Victoria, Australia
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About the Department
The Department of Education provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
We lead policy leadership, plan for the future of education in Victoria, and coordinate key cross-sector collaboration. We play an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight, and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
About the Division
The Intergovernmental Relations Branch is a fast-paced, collaborative, and high-performing environment that influences national policy discussions and negotiations.
* Provides strategic advice to ministers and senior officials in national negotiations.
* Ensures national, whole of Victorian Government, and interagency issues are considered as part of the department's policy development and program delivery.
* Works across the department on the development, implementation, and reporting of intergovernmental agreements across the portfolio.
* Manages key partnership arrangements and supports senior executive participation in governance bodies on behalf of the department.
About the Role
The Senior Policy Advisors lead the development of advocacy positions, policy, and projects on critical, high-profile issues across the schools and early childhood portfolios.
* Advocacy to align Commonwealth early childhood reform with Victoria's Best Start, Best Life reforms.
* Negotiation of a new preschool funding agreement.
* Implementation of the Child Safety Review.
* Negotiation of a new school funding agreement with the Commonwealth.
* National policy matters relating to the schools portfolio, such as supporting students with disability, the Unique Student Identifier for schools, the Australian Curriculum, national assessments, student wellbeing, workforce, etc.
Main Responsibilities
* Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the department, within Victorian Government, and across other jurisdictions.
* Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to form policy advice.
* Provide written communication skills and contribute to the development of advocacy positions, policy, and projects.
* Support the negotiation of intergovernmental agreements and manage key partnership arrangements.
Requirements
* Excellent written communication skills.
* Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
* Desirable: Experience in strategic and intergovernmental policy at any level of government.
* Desirable: Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
* Desirable: Knowledge of intergovernmental relations.
What We Offer
We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability, and neurodiversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
We offer a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work environment.
Please see the attached position description for more information about the capabilities required for this role.