Senior Advisor, Portfolio Budgeting and Assurance

About Us
The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone’s experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government.  We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses.  We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

You can find out more about our Ministers, leadership and entities here: Department of Government Services. 

The Planning and Performance Branch

The Planning and Performance branch delivers a range of services across CALG aiming to support and uplift capability in governance, planning and budgetary control as well as project and program development, control and delivery.

The Evaluation Services team:

• develops and oversees the CALG performance framework and outcomes scorecards
• measures, assesses and reports on DGS and CALG performance through evaluation of key projects;
• uses monitoring and evaluation to generate data and robust evidence; drives continuous improvement through high quality monitoring and evaluation that generates robust evidence and insights, ensuring strong alignment with whole-of-government policies and frameworks for evidence-based planning, policy development, and compliance; and
• ensures implementation and evaluation planning are considered thorough project initiation, development and delivery.

The Governance & Planning team:

• supports CALG group executives and business units with coordination and delivery of budgets, planning, reporting, and governance functions;
• supports business and corporate services across CALG and maintains stakeholder relationships across the enterprise; group; division; and branch layers responsible for delivering these services;
• provides direction, reports, and recommends model processes and frameworks that enable accountable oversight, with evidence, insights, and analysis for better decision-making that contributes to the efficient and effective delivery of services, projects and programs; and
• delivers Group support for annual activities (PAEC, Budget Bids), portfolio correspondence and supports establishment management.

The Group Project Management Office (PMO) team:

• Administer and drive the DGS/CALG Project Management Framework including the development and maintenance of tools, templates and processes.
• Support CALG with continuous uplift in project management practices
• Provide the Secretariat function for integrated Priority Projects including the Priority Projects PCB.
• Provide support and oversight of major initiatives / projects / programs across the various CALG delivery areas as a coordinating feature of the integrated pipeline model.
• Supports the Portfolio Strategy, Projects and Performance matrix delivery model

About the role

Reporting to the Manager, Governance and Planning, the Senior Advisor, Portfolio Budgeting and Assurance, is responsible for activities that support the effective management of group output funding.

The role works closely with group financial delegates, executives (and their offices), and DGS Finance to ensure a coherent and transparent system of budget and financial management is upheld for the group. With over $250 million regularly expended across Consumer Affairs and Local Government outputs, it is critical that the role work with executives to manage adherence to budget and trust accounting obligations.

The role also provides assurance and support, including for program funding and grants, and produces reports and advice on any cost centre variances for executives to review. Where required, the role supports project areas to track expenditure, and supports with business planning.

Through these activities, the role ensures effective governance and oversight for decision-making relating to budget and finance within the CALG group.

Key accountabilities

• Preparing budget planning alongside executives and central DGS Finance business partners for Consumer Affairs and Local Government.
• Managing financial results on behalf of CALG, including tracking expenditure against loaded budgets and establishment information; developing and providing reports; and advising on support systems such as project codes – in turn, supporting DGS Finance and executives with month-end reporting to proactively manage any financial risks.
• Coordinating and supporting business unit administration, managing processes across the group such as creating and managing purchase orders; processing invoices; using and managing corporate cards; reviewing positions against establishment; and other accounting functions as required.
• Providing processing and assurance for areas administering grants, through systems such as GEMS.
• Managing the relationship between Central Finance, CALG executives, and business areas to ensure roles and responsibilities are successfully acquitted.
• Reviewing expenditure, invoices, and supporting procurement processes to mitigate risks and ensure CALG areas comply with Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic).
• Preparing, coordinating and managing key group finance artefacts, such as developing and preparing operating statements, reports, presentations, and other meeting materials for cost centres across Consumer Affairs and Local Government.
• Developing and updating policies, procedures, and other materials to ensure effective administration of group budget and reconciliation functions.

Mandatory requirements

• Prior experience managing budgets within government entities is essential.
• Relevant tertiary or professional qualifications relating to finance, business or accounting – such as accreditation as a certified practising accountant (CPA) – are highly desirable.

This is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

For more information, please see the Position Description.

How to apply 
Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday, 26 July 2026. All applications should include: 

• a resume; and  
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).
  
  

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. DGS 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 DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.