Policy & Program Officer - Strategic...

Talent; Victoria; On-site; AUD 68,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent in Australia seeks an APS6 Policy & Program Officer to support complex policy reform, strategic commissioning and program delivery initiatives within a large federal agency. The role focuses on improving disability service arrangements through policy development, strategic analysis, project coordination and evidence-based recommendations.

It requires knowledge of strategic commissioning and procurement processes, plus strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of strategic commissioning and procurement processes is essential.
• Experience in policy development, strategic analysis and program reform.
• Experience coordinating complex government programs or projects, including risks, milestones and dependencies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent written communication skills, including executive briefs, reports and policy advice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Understanding of government governance, decision-making and policy frameworks.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support policy reform, strategic commissioning and program improvement initiatives.
• Undertake research, policy analysis and evaluation to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Coordinate projects, milestones, risks, dependencies and reporting.
• Develop policy options, strategies and practical implementation approaches.
• Prepare executive briefs, reports, submissions and decision papers.
• Support program governance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to progress policy and reform outcomes.

Skills

Strategic commissioning

Procurement processes

Education

Public policy or government studies

Job description

Policy & Program Officer - Strategic Commissioning (APS6)

Our client is a large values-focused Federal Government Agency seeking an APS6 Policy & Program Officer to support complex policy reform, strategic commissioning and program delivery initiatives.

These roles focus on improving the effectiveness, sustainability and integrity of disability service arrangements through policy development, strategic analysis, project coordination and evidence-based recommendations.

Candidates will need knowledge of strategic commissioning and procurement processes, alongside experience in policy development and government program delivery.

ROLE DETAILS:

Location: VIC - All locations
Contract: 12 months, with extension potential
Hours: Full-time hours, Mon-Fri, 7.5hrs/day
Rate: $60.26 per hour + super
Eligibility: Australian Citizenship required
Applications close: Friday 20 November 2026

ABOUT THE ROLE:

You'll support the development and implementation of complex policy and program reforms, working across strategic commissioning priorities, stakeholder engagement, policy research and project delivery.

The role involves analysing complex information, developing policy options, coordinating reform activities and preparing high-quality advice for senior government stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support policy reform, strategic commissioning and program improvement initiatives.
• Undertake research, policy analysis and evaluation to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Coordinate projects, milestones, risks, dependencies and reporting.
• Develop policy options, strategies and practical implementation approaches.
• Prepare executive briefs, reports, submissions and decision papers.
• Support program governance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to progress policy and reform outcomes.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Knowledge of strategic commissioning and procurement processes essential.
• Demonstrated experience in policy development, strategic analysis and program reform.
• Experience coordinating complex government programs or projects, including risks, milestones and dependencies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent written communication skills, including executive briefs, reports and policy advice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Sound understanding of government governance, decision-making and policy frameworks.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently in a changing environment.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience within Federal Government or a comparable regulated service delivery environment.
• Knowledge of disability services, plan management or government service delivery.
• Data analysis and policy evaluation experience.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, government, social sciences or a related field.