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Senior Policy Officer
Department of State Development
Job reference: 840418
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About us:                                                                

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government’s lead economic development agency. 

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace. 

For more information about our agency, please visit: 

Department of State Development | statedevelopment.sa.gov.au 

About the role:

The Senior Policy Officer, Skills SA, provides specialist advice, knowledge, and high-quality analysis to inform and influence planning and policy development. The role prepares briefs, policy papers, reports and submissions, and manages the delivery of key project deliverables that help learners, businesses and industry to thrive through skills development and vocational education and training (VET).

As a Senior Policy Officer, you will:

  1. Under general direction, provide high-level, evidence-based, and timely information, analysis and advice to ensure departmental objectives and timeframes are met.
  2. Undertake research on complex and significant issues, including state, national and international models to inform policy development and support implementation and delivery of policies, programs and funding models aligned with state and national VET directions.
  3. Prepare reports, briefings and other written materials, including Cabinet documents and Parliamentary Briefings as required, for a range of stakeholders, including senior executive and the Minister, on a broad range of complex, sensitive and critical issues.
  4. Contribute to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs, including identifying and managing risks or improvements.
  5. Develop and maintain key relationships with a broad range of government and non-government stakeholders and liaise and consult with the stakeholders to support agreed outcomes.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

  • Demonstrated ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and evidence-based advice and analysis within agreed timeframes, including to senior officers and Executive.
  • Experience in planning and delivering stakeholder engagement strategies to build or maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs, including risk identification and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and within a team, meet deadlines and expected outcomes, manage competing work tasks, and contribute effectively as a team member.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary of ASO6 p.a. plus superannuation

Benefits:

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

  • A variety of leave arrangements
  • Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
  • Access to great customised training and career development opportunities

Qualifications:

  • Essential: Nil
  • Desirable: A qualification in a relevant discipline in public policy, data analytics or legislation.

Special Conditions:

  • The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) ongoing basis
  • Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) and Working with Children Check is required prior to employment

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Jenny Tan, Manager, State Policy via jenny.tan2@sa.gov.au or 08 70851511.

How to Apply:

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website. 

Applicants are required to submit the following:

  • Cover letter demonstrating the suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
  • Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
  • Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
  • Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.

Applications close: 19/04/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- ASO6 Senior Policy Officer - DSD Skills Policy and Quality 2026.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf


Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.