Strategic Policy Advisor

Accountabilities: The Strategic Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) is accountable to the Manager Government Priorities and Futures and delivers the Public Skills Australia’s Industry Stewardship function through a focus on government priorities. The Strategic Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) may undertake supervisory duties for staff and will work alongside the Workforce Planning team in particular.

Purpose: This role will gather and analyse information and intelligence to distil insights for use across the company. They work in a small team, deliver projects, work with subcontractors, manage their budget and ensure robust consultation, good governance and adherence to federal government requirements. This role will develop the policy position in support of delivering regular submissions to Parliamentary and other inquiries, provide collated industry feedback on request from government or other agencies and deliver other work that may be required.

Responsibilities. In partnership with internal stakeholders and external service providers, with the intent of ensuring compliance with relevant legislative, grant and company compliance obligations, the Strategic Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) will:

1.       Consult on government and other reports to collate industry responses to Parliamentary and other inquiries.

2.       Scope and monitor government and other relevant publications and environments to inform their Executive and the Public Skills Australia Board and industry stakeholders.

3.       Deliver policy advice on government and other priorities and publications, reports and media releases.

4.       Prepare high level advice, briefings and presentations for Executive.  

5.       Work independently to prepare high quality governance and Board papers, briefings and presentations.

6.       Contribute to the management of relevant stakeholder networks and/or governance groups (as determined by business need) by supporting the Chair, engaging with members of the group and managing all aspects of their meetings and meeting preparation.

7.       Present to a variety of audiences (including executives) using excellent written and verbal communication skills.

8.       Track and monitor on government submissions and consultations and provide reports to the Board and Executive Team on the responses provided by Public Skills Australia.

9.       Maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in particular industry stakeholders, Jobs and Skills Australia and DEWR.

10.   Work collaboratively with other areas of the business, relevant Managers and other members of staff.

Key Selection Criteria

1.A Higher Education qualification such as a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

2.Experience of policy and advisory work at a national level.

3.Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

4.Demonstrated capability to negotiate and build consensus with stakeholders and build trusted relationships.

5.Proven ability to facilitate workshops to gather information and insights to support briefings and government submissions.

6.Operate with a high level of political acumen and corporate maturity to build relationship with senior and executive level stakeholders.

7.Motivated to drive a positive can-do culture across the company.

8.Proven capability work on multiple products in a fast-paced environment.

9.Ability to provide advice in complex policy settings.

10.Strong interpersonal skills, with a motivation and preparedness to support the Executive of the organisation.