Principal Policy Officer (525583)

The Team:

The Funding and Commissioning team oversee commissioning and funding activities related to national and state strategic priorities and reform initiatives in the areas of mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention. The team works closely with a range of stakeholders (government agencies, consumer and family/carer organisations, the community sector, and organisations representing diverse communities) to support the delivery of services that are strongly consumer and carer focused, high quality, sustainable, accessible, inclusive, and safe.

The Role:

System Management and Reform (SMR) is the central policy, strategy, and planning group for the Department of Health (DoH). Strategic Purchasing and Funding (SPF) is a unit within SMR that manages and undertakes a lead role in the purchasing of services within the public and private sectors that drive high quality, value for money outcomes for Tasmanians, and monitoring the delivery of those services by providers to ensure key outcomes are achieved.

Provide high-level analysis, strategic advice, leadership and direction, in the planning, development, implementation, management and delivery of key strategic policy, programs and funding and commissioning initiatives related to Statewide Mental Health Services (SMHS), alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and the mental health community sector.

Work collaboratively with other team members in SMR, and with key stakeholders within SMHS, AOD and the mental health community sector including peak bodies, the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Council (ATDC), the Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT), and other key stakeholders to support the implementation of SMHS reform agendas.

You will need to:

• Develop and undertake detailed policy analysis and provide high level strategic advice to senior management of SPF, the Department of Health (DoH), other Agencies and community sector organisations, as appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with the Manager, Funding and Commissioning, and senior management of SPF to coordinate, develop, implement and monitor SMHS and AOD strategic policy and frameworks, undertaking relevant in-depth and complex research as needed.
• Coordinate and maintain knowledge of key international, national and local research, evidence and other factors affecting the strategic policy environment, including identifying strategic policy issues relevant to SMHS and AOD and recommending options and solutions for the implementation of new procedures, policies, and strategic plans.

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Details of appointment:

Permanent full time, day worker position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible.

*notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary: $128,102 to $134,832per annum. Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2022.

Benefits available to eligible candidates: (Delete if not applicable)

• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $13.95 per week per person, or $25.95 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties: 

• 525583 Principal Policy Officer Band 7 (September 2025) (1).docx

Application Guide:  

• Department of Health - Applicant Guide Sep 2024.docx