Strategic Advisor

Department of Education; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education is seeking a Strategic Advisor to support the Secretary and Executive Director, Office of the Secretary. The role focuses on high‑level coordination, strategic policy advice, and governance processes within a fixed-term arrangement to cover parental leave.

Applicants should bring strong analytical ability, excellent relationship management, and superior written communication to deliver joined-up public policy advice and effective support across ministerial engagements.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline is required.
• Experience in policy advisory and government processes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, review and quality assure briefings, correspondence and Cabinet submissions for the Secretary and ministers.
• Secretariat responsibilities for minister meetings, including agendas, papers, minutes and actions.
• Coordinate Cabinet processes ensuring whole-of-government considerations are addressed.
• Draft speeches, presentations and advice for strategic issues.
• Build and maintain relationships across the department.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Policy coordination

Briefing quality assurance

Written communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

About the Division

The Office of the Secretary is a small team that provides strategic support and coordination for the Secretary, and manages the department's Executive Board, ministerial meetings and other stakeholder and governance processes.

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, Office of the Secretary, the Strategic Advisor provides high-level coordination and strategic advice and support to the Secretary, including by:

• Strategically coordinating, reviewing and quality assuring briefings, correspondence and Cabinet submissions for the Secretary and our ministers, ensuring joined-up public policy advice and a systems perspective, to drive departmental strategic objectives
• Performing the secretariat for regular meetings with ministers, including preparing the agenda and papers, and recording minutes and action items
• Coordinating Cabinet processes within the Office, including reviewing Cabinet briefings to ministers and the Secretary to ensure whole-of-government and whole-of-department issues are addressed as necessary
• Ensuring that appropriate departmental processes and policies are developed, communicated and faithfully implemented
• Drafting speeches, presentations and advice for the Secretary on strategic issues and key events
• Establishing and maintaining relationships at all levels across the department.

This is a fixed-term opportunity for up to 15 months, to cover parental leave.

Attributes

The role requires an understanding of the policy issues across the department and government, strong analytical ability, and excellent relationship management skills in order to negotiate with senior staff and external stakeholders on behalf of the Secretary. Delivering this high-level support requires attention to detail, excellent organisational awareness, astute problem-solving skills, strong written communication skills, and the discretion to maintain confidentiality.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline is required for this position.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Rebecca Haig, Executive Director, Office of the Secretary via 0438 313 *** or ************@education.vic.gov.au

The Department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.