Senior Policy Officer

Department of Premier and Cabinet; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

The Department of Premier and Cabinet in Melbourne seeks a Senior Policy Officer to support governance, policy development and public administration across Victoria's public sector. You will work with the Cabinet and Governance Branch on strategic initiatives and high‑impact projects.

You will bring robust policy analysis, strong negotiation, and excellent written communication, with experience in governance or law.

Qualifications

• Policy development experience with quick analysis and risk assessment.
• Ability to evaluate information and propose innovative policy solutions.
• Strong written communication for briefs and correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Provide thorough analysis and expert advice on policy issues and governance.
• Manage strategic and legislative projects to improve public administration.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and represent the department's views.
• Contribute to leadership and continuous improvement within the branch.
• Perform other duties consistent with grade and skills.

Skills

Policy development

Critical thinking

Influence and persuasion

Written communication

Flexibility and adaptability

Education

Public policy / governance / law qualification

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 13159

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.

About the Role

As a Senior Policy Officer in the team, you will work in a fast-paced and dynamic policy environment, among supportive and engaged peers, and across the broader Victorian Public Sector. The team values deep public administration expertise and includes specialists in areas including governance, integrity and law. Cabinet and Governance Branch provides a positive, supportive culture and a work environment that enables high performance.

To succeed in this role, you will have strong policy analysis skills, and a good understanding of public sector governance and public administration. 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

• Provide thorough analysis and expert advice to the Premier, Special Minister of State, the Secretary and senior officers on a wide range of policy issues and major initiatives relating to legal form and governance arrangements of Victorian government entities and Victorian government board appointments.
• Manage and contribute to strategic and legislative projects and policy development relating to the improvement of public administration and entity governance.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders within and beyond DPC, providing clear advice and accurately representing the department’s views.
• Contribute to the leadership, 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 development and design: Demonstrated experience in policy development, with the ability to quickly analyse and critically evaluate new information and the potential implications and risks of proposed policy options, and develop innovative and effective solutions to policy problems.
• Critical thinking and problem solving: Demonstrated ability to assess, prioritise and complete objectives in a fast-paced environment, including anticipating and managing potential and emerging issues/ risks which may affect project outcomes and finding effective ways to deal with them.
• Influence and persuasion: Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, including identifying and using channels to gain the attention of decision makers, strategically responding to the positions, interests and preferred options of others, and exploring alternatives to gain agreement without foregoing key objectives.
• Written communication: Highly developed written communication skills and the ability to prepare briefs and correspondence on a range of complex and sensitive issues, using clear and concise language that is tailored to the audience.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Demonstrated ability to work independently in a dynamic and complex environment, including readily adapting to changing circumstances and priorities, being open to new ideas, approaches and viewpoints, and embracing ambiguity and seeking clarity as required.

Tertiary qualification in public policy, governance or law would be an advantage.

This role is an ongoing position. You must be an Australian citizen, as this role requires a security clearance.

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.

Applications close Friday 13 November 2026 at 11.59pm