This position is available from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029. About the Role The Senior Policy Advisor is a critical leadership role for coordinating department wide activity and leading reform projects in the Out of Home Care Policy team in Wellbeing Health and Engagement Division. The role will lead policy reform work, coordinate whole-of-department activity, support senior governance bodies and manage funding agreements with partner agencies. The role will work closely with a range of areas in the department, including the regional LOOKOUT Centre workforces, as well as with Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and external partners in the community sector. Attributes We are looking for a candidate with strong policy, program management and stakeholder engagement skills who can apply these skills to improve educational outcomes for children and young people in out of home care. The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable leading complex projects and coordination tasks, including undertaking research, understanding data, providing advice to decision makers and drafting operational policy and guidance. 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. 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 Andrea Smith via andrea.smith6@education.vic.gov.au, ph. 7022 2821 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 6-Mar-2026
