Policy Officer, Institutions of Government

Department of Premier and Cabinet; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Premier and Cabinet in Melbourne is seeking a Policy Officer to work at the centre of government on high-impact issues, reforms and projects. The role involves supporting policy development, parliamentary processes and Westminster conventions within the Institutions of Government team.

You will bring strong policy and coordination skills, with experience in public administration or governance, and demonstrate negotiation, interpersonal and written communication abilities.

Qualifications

• Policy skills: interpret policies, conduct research, develop solutions.
• Organisation skills: set priorities, coordinate tasks, monitor progress.
• Written communication: produce clear, high-quality briefs.
• Interpersonal communication: build stakeholder relationships and collaborate.
• Adaptability: work in dynamic, complex environment and adapt quickly.

Responsibilities

• Under direction, advise senior officers on policy issues and initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic and legislative projects for public administration and parliamentary integrity.
• Provide clear briefings on policy and coordination issues within tight timeframes.
• Support Cabinet and Governance Branch culture and development projects.
• Perform other duties consistent with grade and requirements.

Skills

Policy skills

Organisation skills

Written communication

Interpersonal communication

Adaptability & resilience

Education

Tertiary qualification in public policy/governance/law

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 13057

About Us

We work for the people of Victoria by helping theGovernment achieve its strategicobjectives. We do this by supporting the Premier, the Minister forTreaty and First Peoplesand theMulticultural Affairs,as well as the Cabinet.Ourvision is to be recognised and respected leaders in whole-of-government policy and performance.

DPC upholds anddemonstratesthe values of the VPS and is the embodiment of VPS leadership. DPC’s values are adopted from thePublic Administration Act 2004:

• Leadership
• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Accountability
• Respect
• Commitment to Human Rights.

At the Department of Premier and Cabinet, we drive meaningful outcomes delivering real impact across Government and for Victorians. As a part of a central VPS agency supporting the Premier and Portfolio Ministers,you’llbe part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values flexibility and innovation. Learn new skills, build meaningfulconnectionsand thrive alongside passionate colleagues united by a shared purpose.

The group gives special attention to the institutions and systems of Westminster government, including the operation of Cabinet and the Victorian Executive Council, and relationships with the Office of the Governor, Parliament, Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission, Chief Parliamentary Counsel, the Victorian ElectoralCommissionand the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

About the Role

The Policy Officer in the Institutions of Government team works at the centre of government on topical, challenging, and high-impact issues, reforms and projects, including possible legislative reform projects. The Policy Officer will support select elements of the team’s responsibilities as required, including in relation to codes of conduct relating to Members of Parliament and Ministers, Executive Council processes, parliamentary and legislative processes and parliamentary standards and integrity, and the application of the Westminster conventions in Victoria.

To succeed in this role, you will have strong policy and coordination skills. Ideally, you will have a sound understanding and demonstrated experience in public administration, public policy, governance or law. In addition, you will have excellent negotiation, interpersonal and communication skills.

Key Accountabilities

• Under direction, advise the Premier, Special Minister of State, the DPC Secretary and senior officers on a wide range of policy issues and major initiatives relating to public administration, parliamentary integrity and Westminster government.
• Contribute to strategic and legislative projects and policy development relating to the coordination, implementation and improvement of public administration and parliamentary integrity in Victoria.
• Provide clear, accurate and solutions-focused written and verbal briefings on a range of policy and coordination issues to a high-quality standard within tight timeframes.
• Contribute to the positive culture and continuous improvement of Cabinet and Governance Branch, including team and branch/corporate development projects
• Other duties as directed that are not listed in the position description, but which are consistent with a position of this grade and skills requirement.

About You

We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience from the following criteria:

• Policy skills: Demonstrated policy skills, including the ability to interpret and apply policies, use critical thinking skills, conduct research, analyse ideas, data and evidence, consult with others and develop solutions to policy problems.
• Organisational skills: Demonstrated ability to determine priorities, plan and undertake tasks to deliver outcomes, coordinate others in the execution of work activities, and monitor the progress of tasks against plans, taking corrective action when required.
• Written communication skills: Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality written products that convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Interpersonal and communication skills: Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, confidently communicate with people, and to collaborate with and support others in the pursuit of common goals.
• Adaptability and resilience: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a dynamic and complex environment, including the ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changes.

Tertiary qualification in public policy, governance or law would be an advantage. Understanding of the institutions and processes of the Victorian Government would be an advantage.

This role is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.