Department of State Development
Job reference: 847255
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
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 Workforce, Population and Migration Group helps to build South Australia’s labour force through population and migration strategy and initiatives, and support industry to attract and retain the workforce it requires, including through workforce planning and development.

The Principal Policy Officer leads the development of high-quality policy development, analysis and advice to deliver strategic approaches to building industry, regional and the broader state workforce, and responses to targeted issues or events that affect South Australia’s workforce, in line with State Government priorities.

As a Principal Policy Officer, you will:

1. Provide high level, timely and evidenced-based strategic policy advice, including briefings, reports, workforce plans and proposals to guide and inform workforce outcomes for industry, regions and target cohorts.
2. Lead, coordinate and undertake work to support the development of workforce plans and strategies in priority sectors, regions and cohorts.
3. Coordinate cross-agency, cross-government and external stakeholder engagement and input into workforce strategy, plans and projects, including developing collaborative solutions across the Department, State Government and with industry.
4. Research and formulate workforce strategies and solutions to address workforce needs for priority sectors, regions and cohorts, drawing on drawing on industry intelligence, data and best-practice examples.
5. Contribute to the development of workforce interventions, initiatives and projects, including providing research and policy advice to inform program design and monitoring and evaluation.

About You:

• Experience in leading, planning and delivering activities to support strategy and policy development and implementation, particularly in relation to workforce and skills development.
• Strong political acumen and experience in and understanding of government policy development, decision making, management and accountability systems and processes.
• High level of interpersonal skills to negotiate, liaise and provide advice effectively at senior levels across government and industry sectors, recognising the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders and handling sensitive issues.
• Ability to use initiative to work successfully under broad directions, manage changing and competing priorities, and critical deadlines – including working effectively under time pressure, and being responsive and flexible to changing work priorities.

Remuneration: Competitive salary of ASO8 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:Tertiary qualifications in statistics, economics, business or finance related disciplines.

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) for up to 2 years.
• 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 Lauren Aikins, Senior Manager, Workforce Strategy and Policy via lauren.aikins@sa.gov.au

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: 21/06/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- DSD role description - AS08 Principal Policy Officer - Workforce Capability.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.