Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects

NSW Ministry of Health; Sydney; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

NSW Ministry of Health is seeking a Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects for a temporary full-time term (Jan 2027–Jan 2028) based at 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards NSW. You will lead the Evidence and Evaluation Unit within the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence and manage a team delivering complex research and policy evaluation.

The role covers population health research, health economics evaluation, and strong stakeholder engagement with a focus on high-priority programs.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design and delivery of high-priority research, monitoring and evaluation projects.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative analysis using administrative data for monitoring and evaluation.
• Understanding of health services and monitoring/evaluation in this setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects contributing to best practice policies, programs, projects and activities addressing strategic priorities in population health research, translational research, monitoring and evaluation (including health economic evaluation).
• Provide leadership and specialist advice on analysis, monitoring and evaluation of high-priority programs and policies, including health sector implications.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including chairing expert working groups.
• Oversee and administer research grant funding programs within the Centre for Epidemiology and Evaluation.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Policy analysis

Health policy research

Monitoring & evaluation

Education

Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline

Job description

Role Title: Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects Employment Type: Temporary Full Time (January 2027 up to January 2028) Position Classification: Crown Clerk grade 11/12 Remuneration: $154,231 - $178,369, plus Superannuation Location: 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards NSW Hours Per Week: 35 hours Requisition ID: REQ684991 Closing Date: Monday 05 October at 11:59pm 2026 Join our Evidence and Evaluation Unit at Ministry of Health for an exciting temporary employment opportunity and be part of the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

About us

• Committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplace for all.
• Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and creativity.
• While regular office presence is essential, we offer flexible work arrangements to support your needs.

About the role

Manage a team in the Evidence and Evaluation Unit of the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence within the NSW Ministry of Health. This one-year parental leave cover position provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to complex and impactful research and evaluation projects being carried out within the Centre. For more information, please read the full Role Description.

What you'll be doing

• Manage projects contributing to best practice policies, programs, projects, and activities addressing current and emerging strategic priorities in the areas of population health research, translational research, monitoring, and evaluation (including health economic evaluation).
• Provide leadership and specialist advice on the analysis, monitoring and evaluation of high-priority programs and policies to assess and advise on their relevance and their potential impact, including in the Alcohol and Other Drug sector.
• Collaborate closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders including chairing expert working groups.
• Oversee and administer research grant funding programs administered by the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence.

About you

• Experience leading design and delivery of high-priority research, monitoring and evaluation projects.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative analysis and using administrative data for monitoring and evaluation.
• An understanding of health services, and experience with monitoring and evaluation in this setting.
• Demonstrated high-level skills and experience in managing a team, stakeholder management, and all aspects of health service and policy research, monitoring, and evaluation, including economic evaluation.
• Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline and/or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve.

We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Additional information

• This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
• This is a temporary role and there may be opportunities for ongoing employment at grade.
• For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal.
• Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.