Senior Policy Advisor

The People, Assurance Legal and Safety (PALS) Secretariat is looking for an ongoing Senior Policy Advisor (VPS5).

The PALS Secretariat is looking for a high-performing indvidual who has the ability to prioritise, develop and apply creative solutions to complex problems and be adaptable in a high-pressure environment to meet important timelines while displaying diplomacy and discretion.

 

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

 

About the Role

This role (referred to as the Policy Coordinator provides expert advice and support to the Deputy Secretary and the People, Assurance, Legal and Safety (PALS) group in relation to the functions and areas of activity within PALS' areas of account. This includes research, analysis, development and presentation of information in a logical and digestible format.

Within the small PALS Secretariat, the Policy Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Deputy Secretary's Office with reviewing and editing briefs, correspondence, Cabinet briefs and submissions, draft emails and advice, presentations and committee papers, monitoring and advising on incoming matters and helping to draft and progress responses and advice, supporting the Deputy Secretary's attendance at internal, stakeholder and interdepartmental meetings by providing and coordinating advice and speaking notes, supporting the planning of the annual PALS forum, working with the PALS Executive Directors and Directors on their budgets, risks and business plans, assisting to progress tasks to meet deadlines by liaising with colleagues and other stakeholders, maintaining and improving systems and processes to track office workflows to deliver products on time (often within tight timeframes) and supporting and advising staff in PALS with how to coordinate and progress work through the Deputy Secretary, Secretary and Ministers.

The Policy Coordinator role requires the ability to prioritise, develop and apply creative solutions to complex problems and be adaptable in a high-pressure environment to meet important timelines while displaying diplomacy and discretion.

 

About the Division

The PALS group provides direct services to government schools in all legal matters, OHS and employee wellbeing, communications and media, staff performance and conduct, sexual harm response, school operational policy and privacy and records. PALS provides a strong assurance function to the Secretary and the Minister for Education over government schools. This concludes school compliance with child safety and minimum standards for registration as well as compliance with workplace safety, a robust internal audit program, and FOI, fraud, corruption, investigations and integrity services. PALS also provides corporate services in human resources, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and executive and ministerial services including cabinet and parliament. PALS enables the department to manage complex legal, integrity and liability risks in a consistent, centralised and specialist way, while supporting safer environments for students, s taff and school communities.

 

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter (maximum two pages) addressing the Key Selection Criteria (KSC).

 

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

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

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

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

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Tyson Johnston- Executive Coordinator via [email protected].

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Thursday 19 November 2026.