Senior Policy Adviser, Aboriginal Policy and Strategy

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We’re focused on supporting
Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with communicable diseases, safeguarding
their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s
all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

This is a fixed term role, part-time (0.6 FTE)

About the role:

The Senior Policy Adviser has responsibility for actively contributing to policy development to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their families living in Victoria. 

The Senior Policy Adviser will work collaboratively with key Aboriginal health organisations, department divisions and health services to ensure that health care delivery is culturally safe and accessible for Aboriginal people, and that service design and development is driven by Aboriginal led-decision making and in line with commitment to self-determination and Aboriginal ways of being, knowing and doing. This includes contributing to the identification of improvement priorities and opportunities, driving the implementation of key initiatives and providing expert advice.

The role requires strong collaboration skills and an ability to work flexibly and creatively to respond to emerging issues, system barriers and reform agendas.

About us:

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.  

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all. 

How you'll make a difference:

• Provide authoritative advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative solutions to complex and sensitive issues based on comprehensive research.
• Monitor and report on high priority issues, risks and trends and prepare and present reports, ministerial briefs, Cabinet and agency submissions.
• Develop policy initiatives that meet government and departmental objectives within resourcing, timeline and budget parameters.
• Maintain an understanding of Commonwealth and State legislative and policy reform directions to influence policy development.
• Manage cross-functional delivery of departmental policies and services impacted by sensitive and complex issues.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and facilitate the flow of information across the department and with key external stakeholders
• Enable and support self-determination of Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal health organisations in relation to the design, implementation and review of health services, programs and policies.
• Represent the department on key stakeholder committees and groups concerned with achieving government and departmental objectives and contribute to relevant committee and governance processes.
• Demonstrate how the actions and outcomes of this role and work unit impact clients and the department's ability to deliver, or facilitate the delivery of, effective support and services.

Suitable applicants will also need to demonstrate:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in a health discipline or relevant public policy area and / or a relevant post-graduate qualification in a relevant health or public policy area is desirable.
• Cultural Knowledge and expertise including the ability to identify emerging issues, trends and potential risks that impact upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of working with Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal community.

To learn more please click ‘Apply' to view the Position Description on the Careers.vic website. 

What we offer:

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.