Senior Policy Advisor - Melbourne, Australia - Department of Health

Description

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.

About the role:

The Senior Policy Advisor sits in the Aged Care Assessment and Transition Care Program team, which is responsible for the management and operationalisation of the Agreements with the Commonwealth to deliver Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS), Regional Assessment Services (RAS) and Transition Care Program (TCP) in Victoria. The team leads the commissioning, performance management and compliance oversight of these services across the state including regular reporting to the Commonwealth.

The team also coordinates and leads responses to new and emerging issues and risks relating to the impact of Commonwealth reforms to the aged care assessment and TCP sector as the result of the Commonwealth's response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The role involves developing effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders including TCP providers, TCP Commonwealth program leads and a range of program and policy areas within the department. Strong demonstrated competency in procurement, project management, data analysis and reporting, well developed analytical and conceptual skills, relationship management and the ability to manage tight deadlines are critical to the role. This dynamic role also incorporates quality improvement and change management. The role is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a collaborative environment that requires systems thinking, excellent communication skills and a drive to improve outcomes for older people living in our communities. A strong understanding of aged care and impacts of reform would be beneficial.

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:

Suitable applicants will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge and Skills

Written Communication - Demonstrated ability to prepare complex briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used.

Policy Skills - Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; keeps up-to-date with a broad range of contemporary issues; scans for links and potential implications of proposed policy options; liaises with stakeholders.

Problem Solving - Seeks all relevant information for problem solving; liaises with stakeholders; analyses issues from different perspectives and draws sound inferences from information available; identifies and proposes workable solutions to problems; implements solutions, evaluates effectiveness and adjusts actions as required

Systems Thinking - Diagnoses trends, obstacles and opportunities in the internal and external environment; understands the linkages between natural systems and communities to inform policy; conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation.

Self - Management - Plans and prioritises work to ensure outcomes are achieved, resists the temptation to react immediately without taking time to think things through, uses strengths to contribute constructively and consciously manages the impact of own weaknesses, anticipates own reactions to situations and prepares accordingly.

Demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to meet deadlines while working in pressure situations.

Leadership - Builds team commitment by demonstrating personal conviction; translates organisational strategy into meaningful long-term plans and objectives for own area of responsibility; motivates others to deliver against goals.

Planning and Organising - Sets clearly defined objectives and priorities and operates accordingly, reviewing and adjusting as required; identifies processes, tasks and resources required to achieve a goal; establishes systems and procedures to guide work and track progress; recognises actual and potential barriers and finds effective ways to deal with them.

Stakeholder Management - Identifies issues in common for one or more stakeholders and uses to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved; find innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues.

Qualifications & Specialist Expertise

Qualification - A tertiary qualification in fields related to finance, health, business and/or management would be desirable.

Specialist Expertise - A high degree of understanding and knowledge of the residential aged care system, including an understanding of service operating models, funding and associated cost/economic drivers.

Demonstrated knowledge of funding models and experience of complex data modelling and/or costing methodology, would be expected.

Knowledge of contemporary approaches to health system demand and capacity management and response, and its role in the wider context of government policy and reform priorities.

To learn more please click 'Apply' to view the Position Description on the 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.

How to apply:

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the 'Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians.

All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at Please view our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion here.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks including proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence, in line with our Privacy Policy.

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) Recruitment Policy allows for priority consideration for Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform. As such, these employees are strongly encouraged to submit their application through JSE rather than via external advertisement.