Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects

Southern NSW Local Health District; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Ministry of Health in Sydney seeks a Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects to lead a team within the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence on complex research and evaluation projects.

This temporary full-time role contributes to best-practice policies and programs addressing population health, including health economic evaluation, with collaboration across stakeholders and expert working groups.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design and delivery of high-priority research, monitoring and evaluation projects.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative analysis using administrative data.
• Understanding of health services, and monitoring and evaluation in this setting.
• Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline and commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Evidence and Evaluation Unit projects in the Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence.
• Provide leadership and specialist advice on analysis, monitoring and evaluation of programs and policies.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, chair expert working groups.

Skills

Team leadership

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Related discipline degree

Job description

Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects

Role Title: Principal Policy Officer, Strategic Projects

Employment Type:TemporaryFull 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.

To learn more about the Ministry and what benefits we offer, access our Employee Benefits Handbook.

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.

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

We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can support the work of NSW Health with:

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.

At The Ministry of Health, we want you to make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, surrounded by authentic, smart people and leaders.

As an organisation we are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Karen Kennedy on [e-mail]

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.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

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.

Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.