Senior Policy Advisor

About the Role. The Senior Policy Advisor leads policy reforms to improve the design and delivery of the School Readiness Funding (SRF). The role is responsible for leading a range of work to progress these reforms, including shaping policy design and delivery, and reviewing and improving key program areas. The Senior Policy Advisor will be required to engage across the Department and the sector to inform policy design.

This position will suit a highly capable and experienced Senior Policy Advisor with demonstrated experience delivering complex, multi-faceted programs within government. The successful candidate will have strong program planning and delivery skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate emerging issues and deliver key outcomes within agreed timeframes.

They will bring people management experience, or a genuine interest in developing their people leadership capability and be confident supporting and coordinating the work of others. The role also requires a flexible and responsive approach to changing priorities and setbacks, sound judgement, and an open and solutions-focused approach to problem solving.

This is an exciting time to join the Early Learning Participation Branch as it continues to lead policy and program reform to improve access, inclusion and participation in early learning across Victoria. We are seeking a highly capable individual to help drive School Readiness Funding reform and delivery. Attributes.

Demonstrated people leadership and team management capability. Strong skills in policy development and design. Strong program planning and delivery skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate emerging issues and deliver key outcomes within agreed timeframes. Capacity for collaboration and cultivating genuine relationships.

Flexible and responsive approach to changing priorities and setbacksan open and solutions-focused approach to problem solving.

Qualifications

and Experience. Desirable: a bachelor level degree. Desirable: qualifications include those related to economics, public policy, political science, early childhood education.Desirable: experience in a leadership role is highly desirable.Required: experience in the following key duties:developing and/or designing policies and programs.

project management and planning to support policy design, analysis and development.ensuring evidence, data and insights are embedded into policy design.close collaboration with other teams to enable policy delivery and implementation translation.collaborative team work to meet shared goals and activities.planning and preparing a range of written and verbal communication materials.

briefing team manager, executives and Ministers as required.How to Apply. To apply, please submit:a CV, anda cover letter that addresses the key selection criteria (up to 2 pages).About the Division. The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP) Division guides, supports, and inspires high quality educational practice that improves the learning and development outcomes of Victoria's young children in government funded early learning programs.

The Division's work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all children are able to access, be included in, and engage with early learning. ELPAP leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs and to support participation for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, those who stand to benefit most from early learning.

The Division is also responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives for kindergarten and Pre-Prep aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF). To carry out this work, the Division is organised into two branches: the Early Learning Participation Branch and the Professional Practice Branch.

Together, these branches lead work across several key focus areas:Delivering practice quality enablers that improve workforce retention and recognition. Developing and implementing participation and inclusion supports for all children. Implementing needs-based funding for kindergartens. Working with system partners to proactively identify and connect children who might otherwise miss out on kindergarten, ensuring their enrolment and attendance.

This role sits within the Early Learning Participation Branch.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 Samantha Lindley

• Manager, School Readiness Funding [email protected] 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 Wednesday 18 November 2026.