The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions. For more information, see the DJSIR Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices.
The Department welcomes and encourages applications from diverse applicants, including First Peoples, refugees or asylum seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. All roles at DJSIR can be worked flexibly and we offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
Senior Project Officer
- Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (Plus superannuation)
- Ongoing position
- Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
- Usual work location: 289 Wellington Parade South, East Melbourne VIC 3002 (flexibility may be available)
The Role
We are seeking a Senior Project Officer to deliver projects, manages contracts and undertakes program and policy development relating to the functions of the industry engagement unit.
The Senior Project Officer will require a strong understanding of engagement practice and be able to build and maintain positive relationships with a wide array of stakeholders. They will have strong project management skills coupled with good written and verbal communication skills. They will have sound policy and writing skills to research and prepare reports and other documents that can be used to provide advice to senior leaders and inform stakeholders.
Main accountabilities:
- Undertake stakeholder engagement and stakeholder management for the Industry Advisory Group (IAG) program and related industry engagement projects and activities.
- Provide policy advice on program issues or stakeholder concerns by undertaking research, analysing data and coordinating input from others to form advice.
- Prepare and present briefings, policy options, project plans, cabinet submissions, reports, correspondence and options papers for a range of audiences.
- Undertake procurement and contract management of suppliers and contractors including timely monitoring of grant milestones and expenditure, making recommendations for action to senior officers where required and keeping good records.
- Identify emerging issues, risks and trends impacting on the successful achievement of objectives and priorities and develop solutions and options.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with peers, other parts of the VSA and department, other government departments and key stakeholders, and convey information clearly and accurately, in a professional, sensitive and respectful manner.
The Team
The position of Senior Project Officer forms a part of the the Engagement and Skills Reform Branch, which sits within Victorian Skills Authority.
The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) provides evidence-based planning and solutions to meet current and future skills needs in Victoria. We are an administrative office led by a chief executive officer and supported by an advisory board of key stakeholders.
We report directly to the Minister for Skills and TAFE and work closely with the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery and the Skills and TAFE Group within DJSIR.
Our role is to gather and analyse industry data, identify where there are current and emerging skills shortages in Victoria's workforce, work with stakeholders to develop strategies to fill these gaps and drive engagement, collaboration and innovation across Victoria's skills system.
The VSA has 4 branches – Engagement and Skills Reform Branch, Services Branch, Analysis and Insights Branch and Executive and Corporate Services Branch.
Find out more about the VSA at skills.authority.vic.gov.au
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience:
- Stakeholder management: Identifies issues in common for one or more clients or stakeholders and uses them to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved.
- Project management: produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and action steps for
achieving them are clearly specified; monitors performance against objectives; keeps accurate records; manages project risks and issues; ensures project objectives are met.
- Policy skills: Interprets and applies policies relevant to own work; drafts policies and papers using research skills and in consultation with relevant stakeholders; determines relevant data and evidence gathering approach; conducts critical analysis on data and evidence collected.
- Written and verbal communication skills: prepares briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used.
- Future focus: Develops objectives that link to broader team and organisational objectives; takes into account future aims and goals of the team and organisation in prioritising own and others' work; integrates relevant technologies into own ways of working and supports others in this; proactively stays up to date with best practice and leading developments relating to expertise and area of work.
- Working collaboratively: Cooperates and works well with others in pursuit of team goals; shares information and acknowledges others' efforts; steps in to help others where required.
Further Information
For a confidential discussion, please contact Clare Verberne, Manager - Industry Engagement Unit on 0408 409 796 or [email protected]
The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.
For Finance Roles:
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner.
Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at [email protected] with the position number in the subject line.
How to Apply
Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and respond to the key selection criteria as outlined in this advertisement.
Applications close at 23:59pm on 3 February 2026.