Senior Policy Analyst – WFH (Australia-wide)

Multiple full-time positions available (covering Maternity Leave)

(Secondment opportunity can also be considered)

Are you

• A policy or education professional looking to join a team who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people?
• An independent thinker who can collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and contribute evidence-based policy advice on a range of complex educational issues?
• Currently working in, or recently employed by an education agency or government department, and interested in a secondment or a fresh opportunity to apply your expertise in a new context?

• Flexible location, work from home (Australia-wide)
• Offering a competitive base salary starting at $112,400 (commensurate with skills and experience) plus 11.5% superannuation
• Multiple full-time fixed term positions of varying durations

About The Organisation

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is Australia’s national education evidence body. AERO is working towards excellent and equitable outcomes for all children and young people by generating and making high-quality evidence accessible and enhancing the use of evidence in Australian education. AERO is a not-for-profit company owned by education ministers and operating under the governance of an independent Board.

For more information about AERO, please see https://edresearch.edu.au

Purpose of the role

Serving as the conduit between policymakers, key stakeholders, and researchers, this role ensures high-impact findings are accessible, understandable, and easy to enact in a policy context such as government education departments.

Through rigorous analysis and strategic collaboration, the position drives evidence-informed decision-making and system improvement within the education sector, either through direct partnerships or policy influence mechanisms.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to maximise the influence of AERO’s research on system programs and policies.
• Provide high quality policy advice on a wide variety of issues in education, including schools, child and student outcomes, and evidence use in practice.
• Advise and support other AERO teams, with a particular focus on ensuring effective incorporation of AERO’s strategic policy agenda in their work.
• Prepare, convene and facilitate workshops for stakeholders, and implement effective follow-up to maximise stakeholder engagement and dissemination of AERO’s work.
• Prepare advice and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders that conveys complex concepts and information on education topics in an appropriate format and manner.
• Conduct advanced policy research and analysis, including investigating and critically analysing issues and opportunities relating to education.
• Supervise team members as required, ensuring deliverables are on time and to a high standard.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications and/or relevant experience in public policy, public administration, education, education policy and/or education management and leadership.

Knowledge and experience:

• Excellent understanding of policy landscapes and policy frameworks and governance.
• Experience in collaborating with a team to deliver complex, high-quality products under tight timelines with competing priorities.
• Ability to effectively maintain productive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners and researchers.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to create compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences.

AERO welcomes applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and/or applicants with experience in First Nations education, policy and engagement.

How to apply?

Please submit an online application:

1. CV and a Cover Letter describing your interest in and suitability for the role addressing the skills and experience above.

Applications close

11.59pm Tuesday 10 June 2025 (Sydney, AEDT)

Notes:

• Respectfully, no agencies please.
• Please only apply for this role if you are an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia.
• Appointments are subject to a National Criminal Record Check (NCRC) and having or obtaining a current valid working with children check (WWCC).
• If you require any additional information to above or have technical difficulties applying, please contact: [email protected]
• Please do not send applications to this email address, apply through advert.