Principal Policy Officer * Salary: 138,631 to $185,518 (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 Principal Policy Officer to provide high quality policy development and analysis, and innovative and critical thinking in the complex area of VET qualifications and national and state skills systems. Reporting to the Manager, National System Engagement and Reform Unit, the Principal Policy Officer will lead the unit's work to develop policy proposals, deliver demonstration projects and drive systemic change for skills reform in vocational education and training (VET). The successful candidate will require an excellent understanding of the VET sector and opportunities for reform. They will have demonstrated experience in policy design for system reform and a track record of effective stakeholder engagement in complex environments. They will have exceptional writing skills and be able to communicate complex concepts to a variety of audiences. Main accountabilities: * 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 and executives 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. * Draw on and maintain a deep understanding of Commonwealth and State skills system policy reform directions to influence policy development. * Monitor and report on high priority issues, risks and trends, and lead the preparation of briefings, cabinet submissions, parliamentary documents, reports, policy proposals and discussion and options papers, and correspondence for a variety of audiences. * Provide authoritative advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative solutions to drive forward skills reforms in vocational education and training. * Establish and maintain effective working relationships and facilitate the flow of information across the VSA, the wider department and with key external stakeholders. * Manage and motivate staff in the reporting line and drive a positive organisational culture in the team and the organisation by holding self and others accountable to public sector values, performance standards and behaviours. The Team The position of Principal Policy 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: Keeps up to date with a broad range of contemporary issues; develops complex and far reaching business case proposals; builds trusting relationships with Senior Leaders to engender support for proposals; provides thought leadership to others on area of expertise. * Systems thinking: Diagnoses trends, obstacles and opportunities in the internal and external environment that connect to own work and teams work; coaches others in using systems thinking to solve problems and create solutions; understands the linkages between systems and communities to inform policy; conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation. * Influence and persuasion: Develops long-term and multi-phased plans to influence others; implements complex strategies to build buy-in from key internal and external clients/stakeholders; effectively negotiates with clients/stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. * Creativity and innovation: Demonstrated ability to generate fresh ideas and innovative approaches; willingness to challenge assumptions, leveraging diverse intelligence and insights; skilled at applying creative problem solving to complex issues, identifying opportunities and translating these into practical, effective solutions. * Written and verbal communication skills: exceptional written and verbal communication skills; prepares complex briefs, policy proposals, discussion papers 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.