Assistant Director, Social Policy | Full-time Temporary

Australian Capital Territory; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD) invites applications for an Assistant Director in the Social Policy team within Policy and Cabinet Division. Based in Canberra, you will develop high‑level policy advice on child safety, justice, health, education, and social inclusion, coordinating policy across government.

You will prepare ministerial and Cabinet briefings, review legislative proposals and bills, and lead a major reform project in the child safety

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g., law, public policy) will be highly regarded.
• Experience working on legislative reform, social policy matters or related disciplines will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Develop high‑level policy advice on broad social policy issues.
• Coordinate policy development and provide strategic advice to senior executives.
• Prepare ministerial and Cabinet briefings and review legislative proposals and bills.
• Lead the progression of a major legislative reform project within the child safety portfolio.
• Support the delivery of government priorities and business cases.
• Engage with Parliamentary Council’s Office on legislative drafting.
• Foster cross‑government collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualifications in relevant discipline

Job description

Details: Join the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD), a central agency at the heart of the ACT Government, providing strategic advice and support to Ministers, Cabinet and senior leaders on policy, economic and social issues that shape the future of Canberra. This is an opportunity to contribute to whole-of-government priorities and deliver meaningful outcomes for the ACT community.

Based within the Policy and Cabinet Division, you will work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment that coordinates complex policy across government. The Division provides strategic advice and support to the Chief Minister, Cabinet and the Head of Service, while leading work on social and economic policy, government accountability, intergovernmental relations and cross-government reform initiatives.

As an Assistant Director in the Social Policy team, you will develop high-level policy advice on a broad range of issues including child safety and safeguarding, justice, health, education, community services, disability, domestic, family and sexual violence, and social inclusion. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders across government to provide strategic analysis, prepare ministerial and Cabinet briefings, review legislative proposals and bills, contribute to business cases and submissions, and support the delivery of government priorities.

A key priority of this role during the advertised backfill period will be leading the progression of a significant legislative reform project within the child safety portfolio. This work will involve coordinating policy development, engaging with Parliamentary Council’s Office on legislative drafting, engaging with stakeholders, providing strategic advice to senior executives, and supporting the successful delivery of reform outcomes.

We offer interesting and rewarding work, alongside flexible working arrangements, contemporary activity-based workplaces, and the opportunity to work with experienced and passionate colleagues who will support your professional development and growth. A role in Policy and Cabinet also provides you with unique oversight of whole of government activities and supporting the ACTPS to deliver critical pieces of work for the ACT Government.

Note, this role can occasionally encounter distressing content across a range of subject matter including child abuse and neglect; abuse and neglect of vulnerable persons; domestic, family and sexual violence; racism and other forms of hate. Please speak with the contact officer for more information if required. Staff are supported to utilise flexible working arrangements and breaks to support wellbeing, in addition to access to ACT Government supports such as the EAP and Before Blue Program.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g., law, public policy) will be highly regarded.
• Experience working on legislative reform, social policy matters or related disciplines will be highly regarded.

This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.

Notes: This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of three months with a possibility of extension up to six months. Selection may be based on application and referee reports only. A Merit Pool may be created and used to fill similar positions across all branches in the Policy and Cabinet Division over the next 12 months. This position currently operates in a hybrid capacity which includes working from home and in office under an activity-based working environment with unallocated desks when in the office.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal .

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Note

This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of three months with a possibility of extension up to six months. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.