APS6 Senior Policy and Information Officer

SOS Recruitment; Canberra; On-site; AUD 76,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

SOS Recruitment is assisting a Federal Government client in Canberra to recruit an APS6 Senior Policy and Information Officer. The role supports a nationally significant program, interpreting legislation and policy while delivering high-quality written advice and stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will work with considerable independence, manage priorities, and contribute to policy improvements. Travel may be required, and a baseline security clearance is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting legislation, policy and procedures in sensitive contexts.
• Strong written and oral communication for professional advice and briefing materials.
• Ability to identify risks, assess options and provide practical recommendations.
• Ability to manage sensitive or escalated matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Experience developing and implementing policies and operational improvements.
• Strong stakeholder engagement across government and external organisations.

Responsibilities

• Interpret legislation, policy and procedures and provide practical guidance.
• Manage complex, sensitive, or escalated enquiries including eligibility and records.
• Prepare high-quality briefing papers, submissions, correspondence and ministerial responses.
• Support policy development and implementation of guidance materials and improvements.
• Analyse issues, identify risks and advise senior management on options.
• Support strategic communications and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders across government and contractors.
• Contribute to data quality, reporting and system requirements.
• Coordinate team priorities and provide quality assurance and mentoring.
• Contribute to governance, project activities and business planning.

Skills

Policy interpretation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Written advice

Discretion & judgment

Job description

APS6 Senior Policy and Information Officer

Position: APS6 Senior Policy and Information Officer

Location: Canberra, ACT

Start date: April 2026

Duration: Approx. 12 months with potential to extend

Pay rate: Approx. $67.25 per hour plus superannuation

Security requirements: Baseline security clearance as a minimum

Overview:

Our Federal Government client is seeking an experienced APS6 Senior Policy and Information Officer to support the delivery of a nationally significant government program.

This position provides policy, operational and stakeholder support across moderately complex and sensitive matters. The successful candidate will be responsible for interpreting legislation, policy and procedures, preparing high-quality written advice, supporting policy and process improvements and managing emerging issues.

Working with considerable independence, the successful candidate will exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and support senior management in delivering key operational objectives. The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, discretion, emotional intelligence and the ability to work effectively in complex and sensitive environments.

Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and practical interpretation of legislation, policy, procedures and operational guidance.
• Manage and resolve moderately complex, sensitive or escalated enquiries, including matters involving eligibility, records, stakeholder concerns and reputational risks.
• Prepare high-quality written material including briefing papers, submissions, correspondence, ministerial responses, talking points, media input, FOI material and stakeholder advice.
• Support the review, development and implementation of policies, procedures, guidance materials and operational improvements.
• Analyse complex issues, identify risks and options and provide practical advice to support senior management decision-making.
• Support strategic communications and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, government agencies, service providers and contractors.
• Contribute to improvements in data quality, reporting, business processes and system requirements.
• Coordinate team priorities, undertake quality assurance, review written outputs and provide guidance and mentoring to staff.
• Contribute to issue management, project activities, governance, reporting and business planning.
• Demonstrate leadership capabilities consistent with the APS6 level.
• Undertake occasional travel as required.

Experience/requirements:

• Demonstrated experience interpreting legislation, policy and procedures in complex or sensitive circumstances.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing clear, accurate and professional advice, correspondence and briefing materials.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks, assess options and provide practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive or escalated matters with professionalism, discretion and sound judgement.
• Experience developing, reviewing and implementing policies, procedures and operational improvements.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build effective relationships across government and external organisations.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes with limited supervision.
• Experience providing guidance, mentoring and quality assurance to team members.
• Previous experience working within the Australian Public Service or a similar government environment will be highly regarded.

SOS Recruitment is committed to workplace diversity and equity in employment. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, women, people with family responsibilities, and individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious and LGBTIQ backgrounds.