Principal Policy Officer (534389)

Department of Health; Tasmania; On-site; AUD 132,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Fitness Passport

Leave entitlements

Job summary

The Department of Health in Tasmania seeks a skilled Lead in strategic funding, commissioning and procurement to drive reform across mental health, suicide prevention, and alcohol and other drug services. You will provide high‑level policy advice, lead complex projects and collaborate with government, community sector and peak bodies.

You will shape commissioning frameworks, oversee grants management and strategic programs to ensure value for money outcomes for Tasmanians.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in strategic policy analysis and project management, delivering outcomes in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement, commissioning, funding or grants management processes across health sectors.
• Stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills to build partnerships and influence outcomes.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, provide strategic advice and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic funding, commissioning and procurement initiatives across mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drugs services.
• Provide high-level policy advice and lead complex projects with cross‑sector collaboration.
• Undertake high‑level research and analysis to inform reform and service improvements.
• Shape commissioning frameworks, procurement activities, grants management and strategic programs for better health outcomes.
• Collaborate with government, community sector and peak body stakeholders to drive reform.

Skills

Policy analysis

Project management

Procurement

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Relevant qualification

Job description

The Team System Management and Reform (SMR) is the central policy, strategy, and planning group for the Department of Health (DoH). Strategic Purchasing and Funding (SPF) is a unit within SMR that manages and undertakes a lead role in the purchasing of services within the public and private sectors that drive high quality, value for money outcomes for Tasmanians, and monitoring the delivery of those services by providers to ensure key outcomes are achieved. The Role Lead strategic funding, commissioning and procurement initiatives that improve outcomes in mental health, suicide prevention, and alcohol and other drug services across Tasmania. Working within Strategic Purchasing and Funding, you will provide high-level policy advice, lead complex projects, undertake high-level research and analysis, and collaborate with government, community sector and peak body stakeholders to drive reform and improve service delivery. You will play a key role in shaping commissioning frameworks, procurement activities, grants management and strategic programs that support better health outcomes for Tasmanians.

Required experience

• Demonstrated experience in strategic policy analysis and project management, with the ability to deliver outcomes in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement, commissioning, funding or grants management processes, and an understanding of the mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention sectors.
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to build productive partnerships and influence outcomes across a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, provide strategic advice and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Details of appointment Fixed term, full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible until 30 June 2028. *Notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant. Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary $132,460 to $139,392 per annum + our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount. Salary range is in accordance with Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2025.

Benefits

• Professional development.
• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport - You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family. More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility

• Relevant qualification from a recognised institution or equivalent experience
• Some intrastate/interstate travel may be required

Contact

Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy. Name: Kelley-Maree French Position: Manager - Funding and Commissioning Phone number: 0428 168 474 Email address: [e-mail]

About the Department of Health

What it is like working at the Department of Health? Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania! Move to Tasmania | Tasmanian One Health Podcast - Spotify One Health Podcast - Apple Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian Department of Health has achieved the Carer Accredited Employer Status providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023). Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.