Principal Policy Advisor

Office for Early Childhood Development

Job reference: 846919

Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmental vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school by 2032.

About this role

The Principal Policy Advisor will lead the development of strategic policy analysis, expert advice, and high-level papers and briefings on whole of government policy impacting on early childhood.

The role leads high level strategic engagement with key government and non-government stakeholders to provide advice to the Minister and Chief Executive on whole of government policy, Cabinet and Parliament, governance, legislative policy and intergovernmental relations issues.

Your Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of strategic policy advice for the Chief Executive and Minister on early childhood issues.
Build and maintain a network of professional relationships to support the delivery of high quality and timely advice to executives.
Use strategic thinking and research skills to analyse and evaluate complex and sensitive policy issues and develop policy under broad direction.

About you

You will bring extensive experience in working independently and under pressure to analyse complex information and develop high quality strategic advice.

Your exceptional communication skills to enable you to successfully engage and influence stakeholders to foster collaboration and develop whole of government positions on complex policy issues.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Extensive experience in analysing and evaluating complex and sensitive policy issues and developing policy advice as well as successfully consulting, negotiating and influencing stakeholders in a manner that fosters collaboration and achieves high quality outcomes.
Proven skills in developing written briefings of a high standard that convey complex information in a clear, succinct manner for a range of audiences, including senior levels of government and for public release.
Ability to work collaboratively, under broad direction and deliver high-quality work within tight timeframes.

Role Benefits

A role with real influence and impact in early childhood policy.
Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector.
Opportunity to work directly with senior executives across government.
Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia’s children and families.
Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.
Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.

Application Instructions and Information

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description.

Closing Date: Sunday 14 June 2026 at 11:45pm

Remuneration

ASO8 - $125,649 - $130,392 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus 12% superannuation.

Additional Note

This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to [email protected]

Special Conditions

For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close: 14/06/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments

Position Description - ASO8 Principal Policy Advisor.pdf
Pre-employment Declaration.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.