An opportunity exists in the Queensland Department of Education, Early Childhood Strategy and Performance Branch, Policy Design team for a Principal Policy Officer to lead national and state-wide initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children in early childhood education and care settings.

In this role, you will use your strong policy, analytical and communication skills to work with a wide range of stakeholders to develop and implement strategic policies.

Job details

About the Department of Education

The Department of Education (DoE) is committed to giving all children a great start, engaging young people in learning, creating safe and inclusive workplaces and investing in communities for a stronger Queensland.

Our human rights commitment is to create a stronger, fairer Queensland by respecting, protecting and promoting human rights in everything we do.  Our objectives are:  A great start for all children, every student succeeding, Building Queensland communities, Safe and capable people delivering our vision, Fair and safe workplaces and communities. Our vision is one of equity and excellence in a progressive, high performing education system that realises the potential of every student. 

Your Role

As a Principal Policy Officer in the Strategy and Performance Branch, you will:

• Work closely with stakeholders to complete high level research and develop responses to state and national early education and care policy, initiatives, issues and risks
• Contribute to policy analysis, including consultation activities in the development of policy proposals
• Provide advice and draft a range of written materials for senior executives and decision makers, including Cabinet submissions.

You will be required to influence others, use your problem solving and analytical skills, communicate complex concepts and make informed recommendations to senior and executive management.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and participate in policy development
• Provide timely and quality advice to senior officials by drafting briefings, reports and submissions in relation to strategic issues affecting the early childhood education and care sector
• Collaborate with other policy officers to identify, analyse and progress strategic issues and formulate innovative and workable solutions and strategic advice for senior officials
• Undertake data analysis and develop analytical tools to assist other teams in decision making processes
• Research and analyse issues, collate and manipulate data and synthesise complex information into clear, customer-led outputs

About You

To be successful in this role you will need:

• A strong background in one or more of the following performance improvement/policy/evaluation/data analysis. High level proficiency in Excel and PowerBI will be highly regarded
• Flexibility to work across a number of programs and projects
• Have exemplary writing and oral communication skills;
• Excellent attention to detail and coordination skills
• Be innovative and collaborative

Instructions to apply:

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history).
• Submit a maximum 2-page written response outlining your suitability for the role, referring to the “Your role” and “About You” sections here and in the attached Role Description. Detailed examples from your professional experience are preferred.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services.

Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE).

The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies. #LI-PRIORITY

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached role description and candidate information fact sheet and follow the instructions.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Applicant Information Package (PDF, 245KB)
  Information Package for Applicants
  
  CO641253_25P Role Description (PDF, 236KB)
  Role Description