Description:
About us
The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.
Economic Division
The Economic Division leads the development of advice to the Government, and implementation of priority projects, for key economic and policy priorities including economic strategy, regulatory reform, housing, social policy, government tax policy and intergovernmental financial relations to drive improvements in Victoria's productive and efficient resource allocation, competitiveness and equity across the economy.
Economic Policy Group
The Economic group supports the Government in growing employment, material living standards and economic activity.
The Group advises on employment policy, productivity growth, macroeconomic conditions, energy, climate change and decarbonisation, industry development, business innovation, transport and infrastructure policy, and land use planning. Key tasks include providing advice on inclusively growing jobs and living standards while responding to the challenge of inflation, and reducing the emissions-intensity of the Victorian economy.
Transport Infrastructure and Planning Team
The Transport, Infrastructure and Planning team supports the government's agenda and aims to improve the lives of all Victorians by providing authoritative, influential and timely policy advice. This includes conducting analysis of economic trends and the distributional and sectoral impacts of economic policies.
Areas of focus include infrastructure planning, management and regulation; transport planning, reform and market design; and land-use planning and housing policy.
About the role
Joining the Transport, Infrastructure, and Planning team as a Senior Economist, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Victoria's transport, infrastructure and planning landscape. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a team that is addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our state, including cutting emissions, easing congestion, and improving land use planning to bolster housing supply.
As part of our dynamic and forward-thinking team, you will use your expertise in economics and/or public policy to deliver timely, accurate, and influential advice on a wide range of complex economic, financial, and public policy issues. Key responsibilities include engaging in rigorous economic analysis, leading and contributing to analysis that informs policy decisions, and communicating effectively with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated economist or policy analyst with a strong foundation in economics or public policy, keen analytical skills, and a passion for making a difference. Your ability to work collaboratively, both within the team and across government departments, will be critical in fostering a positive team culture and achieving our collective goals. If you are looking to influence policy decisions and have a tangible impact on the future of Victoria's transport, infrastructure and planning space, this is the role for you.
Key accountabilities
This position has the following responsibilities:
- Work independently and collaboratively in the team to deliver:
- practical advice on economic and policy issues for senior management and government;
- analysis of qualitative and quantitative data sets; and
- research on complex economic, financial and/or public policy issues.
- Deliver briefings and policy advice that are timely, accurate, accessible and fit-for-purpose.
- Communicate with and influence internal and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to fostering a positive team culture and mentoring and supporting the development of team members.
Key Selection Criteria
- Influence: Demonstrated experience in influencing decision-making processes within a complex organisational environment, leveraging economic expertise to shape policy, strategy, or operational decisions at senior levels.
- Conceptual and Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated capacity to solve complex and ambiguous problems, including experience using economic frameworks and principles, and/or experience in policy development and advice.
- Communication Skills: Demonstrated expertise in preparing high quality verbal and written briefings and advice, including the ability to convey complex issues persuasively and effectively in plain language, and experience in building relationships to persuade and achieve results.
- Teamwork: Demonstrated expertise working within a team and supporting others to collaborate and pursue common goals, and working constructively with a wide range of stakeholders. A commitment to contributing positively to team dynamics and supporting the collective achievement of the team's objectives is key.
- Responsiveness: Demonstrated expertise in providing timely and fit‑for‑purpose advice and products for key stakeholders.
Experience and qualifications
Tertiary qualifications in economics, public policy, commerce, law or a related field are an advantage.
About our culture
We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.
The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.
Further Information
If you are a VPS employee and identified as the preferred candidate during the recruitment process, you will need to obtain approval from your manager and Executive Director to take up this role as a secondment .
For more information about the position and key selection criteria, please refer to the position description. If you have specific questions regarding the role, please contact Eamon Zelencich, Director eamon.zelencich@dtf.vic.gov.au
How to apply
To apply, select the ‘Apply Now' button and provide a copy of your resume and cover letter summarising your skills and relevant experience.
Applications close at midnight, 2 June, 2025. If you require a copy of this advertisement in an accessible format, please contact the Recruitment team.
Covid-19 Vaccination
DTF is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act). To support this DTF has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DTF employees be fully vaccinated.