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MHAOD AO7 Senior Policy Officer (VSA)

Develop, coordinate and review policy, legislation, project and program initiatives designed to prevent and reduce the harm associated with alcohol, tobacco, volatile substance and other drug use in Northern Territory.

Agency Department of Health Work Unit Mental Health Alchol & Other Drugs
Job Title Senior Policy Officer (VSA) Designation AO7
Job Type Fixed (Temporary) Full Time Duration TBA
Salary TBA Location Darwin
Position Number 23293 Closing  TBA
Contact Sueanne Johns on 08 8999 2798 or email Sueanne.Johns@nt.gov.au
About the agency http://www.health.nt.gov.au/

Key duties and responsibilities

  1. Provide high quality, comprehensive information, policy analysis and program development advice to the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs (MHAOD) Branch with a focus on the volatile substance use portfolio.
  2. Prepare Ministerial briefing, correspondence, reports, discussions papers and Cabinet Submissions.
  3. Facilitate and support legislative review and regulatory amendment processes relating to alcohol, tobacco, volatile substance and other drugs as required.
  4. Develop and maintain effective collaborative partnership and strategic alliances with other policy program development areas, service providers and services development areas at local and national levels.
  5. Work with communities, service provider organisations and government agencies to deliver effective and timely responses to identified AOD issues, particularly volatile substance use.
  6. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures.
  7. Undertake other projects and initiatives as requested by the Director or Executive Director.

Selection criteria
Essential:

  1. Ability to provide high quality, comprehensive information, policy analysis and program development advice to the MHAOD Branch.
  2. High level of oral and written communication skills with the ability to negotiate and liaise effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
  3. Demonstrated knowledge of Government processes, preparation of Ministerial briefings, Cabinet Submissions and the interpretation and review of legislation or transferable skills and experience in preparing high-level documentation.
  4. Experience in planning establishing, managing and evaluating projects.
  5. Proven ability to work effectively within a team or individually and manage a high volume workload.
  6. High level of cultural competency and the ability to interact with people from diverse cultures.
  7. Extensive understanding of harm minimisation theories, principles and practices  with high level knowledge of contemporary tobacco, alcohol, volatile substances and illicit drugs policy and practices, as well as a general understanding of mental health policy in the NT.  If there is limited pre-existing knowledge the candidate must demonstrate ability to develop same quickly.

Desirable:

  1. Bachelor/Post graduate degree in human services or other relevant qualification.

Further Information
Department of Health has a Smoke Free Policy. Staff are not permitted to smoke anywhere on Departmental premises, facilities or vehicles, nor whilst working off-site. Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. More information on pre-employment checks specific to this role can be sourced through the vacancy contact.

Approved:   January 2024                   David Scholz, A/Executive Director, Mental Health Alcohol & Other Drugs Branch