Seeking a high-performing team player who has experience developing legislative reforms on behalf of government, or transferrable legal or policy experience and an understanding of the legislative development process.

Job details

The role 

As a Senior Policy Officer in Queensland Health's Legislative Policy Unit, you will support legislative reforms on primary and subordinate legislation across a wide variety of health-related areas. For example, the team has recently worked on projects relating to tobacco and vaping reform, mental health, assisted reproductive technology, medicines and poisons regulation, cosmetic surgery, radiation safety and pharmacy business ownership. These projects focussed on improving health outcomes, access to health care and public safety.

The team's work includes: liaising with departmental subject matter experts, preparing Cabinet submissions, briefings, drafting instructions and explanatory materials; instructing Parliamentary Counsel; consulting internal and external stakeholders and developing written materials to support introduction, Parliamentary Committee and debate processes (for primary legislation) and Governor-in-Council consideration (for subordinate legislation).

You will be responsible for:

• Preparing high quality and timely briefing notes, ministerial communications, reports, submissions and correspondence as required.
• Participating as a team member in projects to develop and amend Health and Ambulance legislation.
• Undertaking legislative policy reviews, analysing and reporting on submissions, and developing briefings and issues papers requiring research.
• Providing support and advice to policy areas within Queensland Health on processes and procedures for developing and amending legislation.
• Consulting with policy and subject-matter experts in Queensland Health, and with external stakeholders where appropriate, to analyse legislative issues, develop and refine legislative proposals, and develop proposals and options for decision-makers.

In return:

• You will work on interesting, diverse and complex projects and further develop your existing skills, knowing that you are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.
• You will work with a high-performing and collaborative team of about 20 legislative officers, with a genuine commitment to work-life balance. We work hard but have a thriving (completely optional) social agenda. We're a very welcoming team and place high importance on maintaining our supportive culture.

The successful person

To be successful in this role you will:

• demonstrate experience in supporting primary and subordinate legislation projects or strong policy development or legal skills within a complex service delivery environment;
• have proven skills in researching and analysing policy issues of a complex nature and providing high quality and timely advice to management in relation to those issues;
• be familiar with, or able to quickly gain knowledge of, the parliamentary and Cabinet process;
• demonstrate strong project management ability working on complex time-critical projects;
• demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across all levels of an organisation; and
• have knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge, of:
  • legislation under the health portfolio, and other State and Commonwealth legislation impacting on Health legislation and operations; and
  • the organisation, functions and policies of Queensland Health.

About us

Queensland Health is responsible for the overall management of the public health system in Queensland.  We are an organisation that strongly believes in the need to work with people who value the goals of our organisation and who will thrive in our workplace.  Working at Queensland Health is about making a difference.

Benefits

• A fast-paced, challenging and supportive environment
• Competitive salary + generous superannuation and leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements
• Diverse work culture
• Career training and development

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity:

• Please submit your resume (including the details of two referees), and
• A cover letter (maximum 3 pages) outlining your skills and experience relevant for this role.

Further information

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

Applications will remain current for a period of up to 12 months and may be considered for other vacancies which may include an alternative employment basis (temporary; full time or part time). 

Documents

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

• CSD680817 Senior Policy Officer RD (PDF)
  
  DoH Applicant Pack (PDF)