Principal Policy Officer

The role 

As a Principal Policy Officer in Queensland Health's Legislative Policy Unit, you will lead and support legislative reforms on primary and subordinate laws across a wide variety of health-related areas. For example, the team has recently worked on projects relating to tobacco and vaping reform, mental health, assisted reproductive technology, medicines and poisons regulation, cosmetic surgery, radiation safety and pharmacy business ownership. These projects focussed on improving health outcomes, access to health care and public safety.

In this role, you will be responsible for: preparing Cabinet submissions, briefings, drafting instructions and explanatory materials; instructing Parliamentary Counsel; consulting internal and external stakeholders in relation to legislative reforms; and developing written materials to support introduction, Parliamentary Committee and debate processes (for primary legislation) and Governor-in-Council processes (for subordinate legislation).

You will also be responsible for:

• Preparing high quality and timely briefing notes, ministerial communications, reports, submissions and correspondence as required.
• Undertaking legislative policy reviews, analysing and reporting on submissions, and developing issues papers requiring a high degree of research and technical expertise.
• Consulting with policy and subject-matter experts through Queensland Health, and with external stakeholders where appropriate, to analyse legislative issues, develop and refine legislative proposals, and present proposals and options to senior decision-makers.
• Providing support and advice to policy areas within Queensland Health on processes and procedures for developing and amending legislation.

In return:

• You will work on interesting, diverse and complex projects and further develop your existing skills, knowing that you are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.
• You will be given the autonomy to lead projects or parts of projects and the ability to develop your management skills by supporting, mentoring and leading junior legislative policy officers in the team.
• You will work with a high-performing and collaborative team of about 20 legislative officers, with a genuine commitment to work-life balance. We work hard but have a thriving (completely optional) social agenda. We're a very welcoming team and place high importance on maintaining our supportive culture.

The successful person

To be successful in this role you will:

• demonstrate experience developing legislative reforms on behalf of government, or legal or policy experience and an understanding of the legislative development process;
• have proven skills in researching and analysing complex legislative policy issues and providing high quality and timely advice to management in relation to such issues;
• demonstrate high level written skills, including the ability to research and prepare significant policy documents, discussion papers, submissions and explanatory material for the legislative process;
• demonstrate strong project management ability working on complex time-critical projects;
• have high-level verbal communication skills, including experience confidently and clearly negotiating and presenting complex concepts and advice to internal and external stakeholders; and
• have knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge, of:
• legislation under the health portfolio, and other State and Commonwealth legislation impacting on Health legislation and operations; and
• the organisation, functions and policies of Queensland Health.

About us

Queensland Health is responsible for the overall management of the public health system in Queensland. We are an organisation that strongly believes in the need to work with people who value the goals of our organisation and who will thrive in our workplace.  Working at Queensland Health is about making a difference.

Benefits

• A fast-paced, challenging and supportive environment
• Competitive salary + generous superannuation and leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements
• Diverse work culture
• Career training and development

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity:

• Please submit your resume (including the details of two referees), and
• A cover letter (maximum 3 pages) outlining your skills and experience relevant for this role.