ABOUT THE ROLE

The Principal Policy Advisor - Child and Youth Health is responsible for developing policy options and recommendations for the department on health and wellbeing focused initiatives and services that contribute to improved health and wellbeing of children and young people.
You will use your public health or clinical qualifications (required) to provide expert policy advice on child and youth health to program and policy areas across the department. You will work with key stakeholders across government and the health sector to develop and provide health policy advice, including advising on emergency management responses as required.
The incumbent will use their strong analytical and conceptual skills to lead and manage multifaceted health and wellbeing focused policy projects and conduct complex policy analysis.

Key responsibilities for the role will include:

• Leading system wide review of best practice and compliance requirements for anaphylaxis management in Victorian schools and other health policy reviews as required
• Providing high quality, authoritative and comprehensive advice on child and youth health policy issues
• Negotiating and influence stakeholders on a range of complex strategic and operational matters and secure cooperation for planned outcomes
• Developing complex written materials including briefs and project documentation that provide options and recommendations for consideration by senior decision makers.
• Building connections across government to enhance the systems, mechanisms and professional practice of health and wellbeing programs delivered through the Department of Education
• Working flexibly across the Child and Youth Health branch performing additional ad-hoc tasks as required

Required Qualifications and Experience
Required: A tertiary qualification in public health or related clinical field.

The Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division (WHED) leads policy and programs to improve student wellbeing, safety, health, engagement, and inclusion. The division has a particular focus on improving outcomes for cohorts that may be disadvantaged or at risk when it comes to their education. Specifically, the purpose of the division is to:

• build safe and respectful school environments
• strengthen the response to family violence
• support student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion, and build mental health capability
• increase support for vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from education
• expand student health support in schools