Senior Policy Advisor

Join a friendly, focused team passionate about making a difference to Victorian students' health and wellbeing.

Role Purpose

The role is fixed term, full time until 29 October 2027.

The Senior Policy Adviser will play a key role in providing health policy advice to school, regional and corporate staff. They will lead the development, implementation and review of policies promoting child and youth health, such as the department's policies on Asthma, Medications, Diabetes, Smoking and vaping, and Sun and UV Protection.

The successful candidate will:

be flexible, able to prioritise multiple tasks

have great stakeholder consultation and management skills

enjoy working collaboratively on multiple different projects

have excellent written communication skills and the ability to lead policy reviews and updates from initial stages to completion

have or be able to develop a good understanding of public health issues.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

A relevant tertiary qualification in public health or a health-related field is desirable. Refer to the Position Description for the Key Selection Criteria.

About the Team

The Health Promotion, Prevention and Advice (HPPA) unit leads the development, implementation and review of policy and programs with a focus on health promotion. HPPA also leads the delivery of the Free Period Products in all Victorian Government Schools initiative. The team is friendly, collaborative, and high performing, with a reputation for accuracy, responsiveness, and strong communication skills.

About the Child and Youth Health Branch

The Child and Youth Health Branch (CYHB) provides information and advice to develop and support implementation of health policies in schools. The CYHB manages the design, rollout and implementation of a range of school health programs and election commitments such as the Doctors in Secondary Schools program, Free Period Products in all Government Schools and the School Breakfast Clubs program expansion.

How to apply

Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

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 Saskia Deerson - Manager via email at Saskia.Deerson@education.vic.gov.au

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, 6 August 2026.