Policy Officer / Senior Policy Officer

Policy Officer

Primary objective
Provide policy, engagement, coordination and project management support to the Office of Water Security in leading implementation of the Territory Water Plan and other strategic water policy reform projects and activities.

Context statement
The Office of Water Security is a small strategic policy team that advises the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Waterv Security; coordinates whole of Government water policy and programs; and works collaboratively with other Government agencies to develop, deliver and report on the Territory Water Plan. For more information, visit https://watersecurity.nt.gov.au/.

Key duties and responsibilities

• As part of the Office of Water Security provide policy, engagement, coordination and project management support to facilitate the implementation of the Northern Territory Strategic Water Plan.
• Undertake research, policy analysis and/or technical analysis on options for water security outcomes for the Northern Territory to inform policy development and project delivery.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of cross-agency research and policy projects focusing on Aboriginal  cultural values, Aboriginal engagement and communication, water efficiency, water stewardship, essential service delivery, water resource management and national water reform in partnership with community stakeholders.
• Contribute to the coordination of stakeholder engagement activities and support the development and maintenance of effective collaborative partnerships with other NTG agencies and community stakeholders.
• Provide coordination support to the Strategic Water CEO Steering Committee and Senior Officers Group.
• Contribute to the preparation of a range of policy and project materials including Ministerial briefings, Cabinet submissions, policies, reports, communication materials, project plans and reports, and procurement documents.

Selection criteria
Essential

• Project management, coordination and organisational skills, including the ability to work under pressure in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated research, strategic thinking and analytical skills and experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of government policy, preferably in an environment-related field.
• Stakeholder engagement skills, including a demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive and respectful relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve goals and influence outcomes.
• Written and verbal communication and reporting skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise and high-quality information that translates complex issues into plain English for a range of audiences.
• Interpersonal skills and experience in working and negotiating effectively with government agencies, industry, and a range of technical and non-technical stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and multiple priorities and work effectively under limited supervision as part of a team.'

Desirable

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline, including anthropology, cultural heritage management, cultural studies, community development, engineering, environmental science, natural resource management or similar disciplines.
• Willingness to undertake some regional and remote travel by four-wheel drive vehicle or light aircraft.

Senior Policy Officer

Primary objective
Provide high level policy, engagement, coordination and project management support to the Office of Water Security in leading implementation of the Territory Water Plan and other strategic water policy reform projects and activities.

Context statement
The Office of Water Security is a small strategic policy team that advises the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security; coordinates whole of Government water policy and programs; and works collaboratively with other Government agencies to develop, deliver and report on the Territory Water Plan. For more information, visit https://watersecurity.nt.gov.au/.

Key duties and responsibilities

• As part of the Office of Water Security provide high level policy, engagement, coordination and project management support to facilitate the implementation of the Northern Territory Strategic Water Plan.
• Undertake research, policy analysis and/or technical analysis on options for water security outcomes for the Northern Territory to inform policy development and project delivery.
• Play a lead role in developing and managing cross-agency research and policy projects focusing on Aboriginal cultural values, Aboriginal engagement and communication, water efficiency, water stewardship, essential service delivery, water resource management and national water reform in partnership with community stakeholders.
• Play a lead role in coordinating stakeholder engagement activities and develop and maintain effective collaborative partnerships with other NTG agencies and community stakeholders.
• Provide high-level coordination support to the Strategic Water CEO Steering Committee and Senior Officers Group.
• Lead preparation of a range of policy and project materials including Ministerial briefings, Cabinet submissions, policies, reports, communication materials, project plans and reports, and procurement documents.

Selection criteria
Essential

• Well-developed project management, coordination and organisational skills, including the ability to work under pressure in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated research, strategic thinking and analytical skills and experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of government policy, preferably in an environment-related field.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including a demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive and respectful relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve goals and influence outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication and reporting skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise and high-quality information that translates complex issues into plain English for a range of audiences.
• High level interpersonal skills and experience in working and negotiating effectively with government agencies, industry, and a range of technical and non-technical stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and multiple priorities and work effectively under limited supervision as part of a team.

Desirable

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline, including anthropology, cultural heritage management, cultural studies, community development, engineering, environmental science, natural resource management or similar.
• Willingness to undertake some regional and remote travel by four-wheel drive vehicle or light aircraft.