ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

The Senior Policy Advisor role sits within the Provision - Policy and Design team in the Policy, Design and Coordination Branch of the Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce. The Provision team expands access to the VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate for all students and supports those at risk to remain engaged in learning, complete Year 12 and transition into their chosen pathway.
The Senior Policy Advisor will lead key parts of the Victorian Early Leaver Connection Initiative (VELCI). VELCI is a $91 million Victorian Government investment comprising a suite of changes to help early school leavers stay connected to education and training and complete a Year 12 or equivalent qualification. Commencing in 2025, VELCI enhances support services and pathway options for early school leavers. It will also deliver a new digital platform to help schools manage school exemption applications and stay connected with early leavers.
Leading key parts of VELCI implementation, the Senior Policy Advisor will work specifically on implementation of a new funding and service model for early school leavers completing Year 12 at TAFE.

Responsibilities of the role include:

• Contract and performance management of funded providers delivering Year 12 at TAFE
• Oversight and management of an equitable funding model, including financial and data analysis
• Stakeholder engagement, including written communication and leading meetings with funded providers and other stakeholders
• Preparing briefings and other collateral on VELCI, including for key decision-makers and governance bodies
• Leading further policy analysis and development to inform the future of VELCI.

The Senior Policy Advisor will also be required to flexibly support other projects and priorities of the team’s work portfolio, as they emerge.
The position is fixed term until 30 June 2028.