Senior Program Adviser, Health Service Interface, Collaboration & Maternity

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Program Adviser sits within Team 3 and reports to the Manager, Health Service Interface and Collaboration. The team liaises with hospitals and health services across Victoria’s Barwon, Grampians, Parkville, West Metro and South West regions to coordinate timely responses and strengthen system stewardship.

In addition to program management for the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS), you will contribute to policy development, budgeting, internal reporting and delivery

Qualifications

• Provide high quality policy advice, options and recommendations to senior management and government through research and analysis.
• Forge strong connections across the department and with the health sector to support implementation of key initiatives.
• Work across multiple projects, engaging with stakeholders to meet emerging pressures and demands.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, monitor and/or deliver projects to ensure they comply with legislation and government guidelines.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with peer and senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft and develop material including Cabinet and Ministerial briefings, meeting papers, agendas and reports.

Skills

Policy guidance

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Executive liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in health/public policy/management

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DH/HSRP/720720

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We’re focused on
supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with
communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and
wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

About the role:

The Senior Program Adviser sits within Team 3 and reports to the Manager, Health Service Interface and Collaboration. The team is the primary liaison between the department and the hospitals and health services within the Barwon, Grampians, Parkville, West Metro and South West regions of Victoria. The team builds trusted relationships, gathers rich system intelligence, and coordinates timely responses to operational issues and sector concerns. Through proactive engagement, high-quality analysis and effective collaboration across departmental functions, the team strengthens system stewardship and supports the delivery of safe, high-quality and sustainable care. The team also has responsibility for other programs such as the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) and the health service annual report process.

In addition to functions outlined above, this role involves program management elements of the VPTAS, including policy development and implementation, budget and funding oversight, internal reporting, and delivery of program objectives within agreed timeframes. The position requires the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including health service executives and a range of policy and program areas across the department. The successful candidate will also contribute to a positive team culture through collaboration, shared problem-solving, and constructive engagement with stakeholders and colleagues.

About us:

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

About you:

Can you demonstrate the following?

• Providehigh quality policy advice, options and recommendations to senior management and government based on comprehensive research and analysis
• Forge strong connections across the department and with the health sector to share information andfacilitatea partnership approach to implementation of key initiatives.
• Work across multiple projects, including engaging with internal and external stakeholders, to meet emerging pressures and demands, asrequired.
• Oversee, monitor and/or deliver projects, to ensure they are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation and government regulations and guidelines.
• Initiates and maintains relationships with peer and senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft and develop material including the preparation of Cabinet and Cabinet related material, Ministerial and Secretary briefings and meeting papers, agendas, minutes and reports.

Qualifications / Specialist Expertise

• A tertiary qualification in fields related to health,public policy, businessand/or managementisdesirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in managing and supporting ministerial, cabinet, parliamentary and departmental executive functions and processes would be desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in the health sector and/or health service delivery would be desirable, with skills and experience in program management.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enablingVictorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at [e-mail] . For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health .

If you have any queries in relation to participation in recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email [e-mail] . Please note that unsolicited applications from third parties cannot be accepted. If you have questions regarding the role, please message the contact person listed on the advertisement directly.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided will be treated in line with our Privacy Policy .

Applications close Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 11.59pm