Title:  Senior Policy Officer, Institutions of Government

The Public Administration Group

The Public Administration group supports the Victorian Government and the DPC Secretary with expertise in public sector governance, strategic communication, protocol and intergovernmental relations, and advice on legal issues and legislation. The group also provides whole of government leadership and coordination in these areas.   

The group gives special attention to the institutions and systems of Westminster government, including the operation of Cabinet and the Victorian Executive Council, and relationships with the Office of the Governor, Parliament, Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission, Chief Parliamentary Counsel, the Victorian Electoral Commission and the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

The Cabinet and Governance Branch

The Cabinet and Governance Branch provides high-quality, strategic analysis and advice on matters relating to the operation of the Westminster system in Victoria within Australia’s federal system. It provides specialist policy advice and coordination and administrative support to facilitate informed executive government decision-making, including compliance with Cabinet processes and protocols.

It provides advice on public sector administration, workforce matters and the institutions of government, including the Office of the Governor, Parliament, Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission, the Victorian Public Sector Commission and the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

The Branch is also responsible for supporting the Victorian Government’s intergovernmental relationships including through the coordination of Victoria’s participation in intergovernmental forums.

About the role

The Institutions of Government team provides an opportunity to work at the centre of government on topical, challenging, and high-impact issues, reforms and projects. These relate, broadly, to Executive Council processes, parliamentary and legislative processes and parliamentary standards and integrity. This includes a focus on codes of conduct relating to members of Parliament and ministers and the application of the Westminster conventions in Victoria, including the role of the Governor. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant policy contribution, including through possible legislative reform, and develop your strategic thinking and engagement skills.

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

1. Provide thorough analysis and expert advice to the Premier, Special Minister of State, the DPC Secretary and senior officers on a wide range of policy issues and major initiatives relating to public administration, parliamentary integrity and Westminster government.
2. Manage and contribute to strategic and legislative projects and policy development relating to the improvement of public administration and parliamentary integrity in Victoria.
3. Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders within and beyond DPC, providing clear and useful advice and accurately representing the department’s views.
4. Contribute to the leadership, positive culture and continuous improvement of Cabinet and Governance Branch, including team and branch/corporate development projects
5. 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.

Key selection criteria

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Desirable requirements

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

This is a fixed term position available until 31 August 2027. 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. 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. 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.