Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Children and Families Programs
Job title Principal Policy Officer Designation Senior Administrative Officer 1
Job type Full Time Duration Ongoing
Salary $136,380 - $152,357 Location Darwin
Position number 30645 RTF 360852 Closing 22/11/2026
Contact officer Amy Fogarty on 08 8999 2589 or [email protected]
About the agency Homepage | Department of Children and Families
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=360852

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF
YOUR TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment
process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the
merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective
The Principal Policy Officer is responsible for the planning, development, maintenance and implementation of contemporary
evidence-based policy to support best practice across the Department of Children and Families.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Lead and manage the development, evaluation and review of Department’s policies, programs and services, involving

extensive stakeholder consultation, to support strategic objectives and identify opportunities for continuous
improvement.

2. Provide detailed advice to the Executive, Senior Management and Government in relation to complex policy initiatives
to support the Department’s reform program.

3. Utilise professional skills and experience in the application of research and analysis to produce documentation,
discussion papers and briefings of the highest standard, and within tight timeframes.

4. Provide timely professional policy advice and support to the Department’s operational staff to enable the delivery of
core services, best practice and improved outcomes for children, young people and families.

5. Represent the Department and division as required within internal, cross-agency, stakeholder and intergovernmental
meetings and on national working groups.

Selection criteria
Essential
1. Significant experience working within a legislative framework, the demonstrated ability to apply research and analysis in

the development of policy, and the ability to provide professional support to ensure best practice.
2. Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills with the ability to manage priorities, work independently,

and perform effectively as part of a team.
3.



Demonstrated ability to liaise, consult, and negotiate in a cross-cultural environment with diverse client groups and the

proven capacity to develop robust partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Ability to lead and manage multiple projects, competing demands, meet deadlines, appropriately delegate tasks, with the

demonstrated capacity to mentor and develop staff.
5. Experience in providing high level advice requiring a rapid response, sensitivity and confidentiality.
Desirable
1. A sound understanding of the current issues and best practice principles in child protection, domestic, family and sexual

violence and/or homelessness specialist services at a local and national level, or the ability to develop this knowledge.
Further information
The recommended applicant will be required to hold a current Working with Children Clearance notice and undergo a
criminal history check (a criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history).

Approved: 20 October 2026 Matthew Lyons, Executive Director Children and Families Programs

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Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Children and Families Programs
Job title Principal Policy Officer Designation Senior Professional 1
Job type Full Time Duration Ongoing
Salary $136,380 - $152,357 Location Darwin
Position number 30645 RTF 360852 Closing 22/11/2026
Contact officer Amy Fogarty on 08 8999 2589 or [email protected]
About the agency Homepage | Department of Children and Families
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=360852

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF
YOUR TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment
process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the
merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective
The Principal Policy Officer is responsible for the planning, development, maintenance and implementation of contemporary




evidence-based policy to support best practice across the Department of Children and Families.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Lead and manage the development, evaluation and review of Department’s policies, programs and services, involving

extensive stakeholder consultation, to support strategic objectives and identify opportunities for continuous
improvement.

2. Provide detailed advice to the Executive, Senior Management and Government in relation to complex policy initiatives
to support the Department’s reform program.

3. Utilise professional skills and experience in the application of research and analysis to produce documentation,
discussion papers and briefings of the highest standard, and within tight timeframes.

4. Provide timely professional policy advice and support to the Department’s operational staff to enable the delivery of
core services, best practice and improved outcomes for children, young people and families.

5. Represent Department and division as required within internal, cross-agency, stakeholder and intergovernmental
meetings and on national working groups.

Selection criteria
Essential
1. A degree of an Australian tertiary institution, which gives eligibility for membership of the Australian Community

Workers Association, the Australian Association of Social Workers, or the Australian Psychological Society, or similar.
2. Significant experience working within a legislative framework, the demonstrated ability to apply research and analysis

in the development of policy, and the ability to provide professional support to ensure best practice.
3. Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills with the ability to manage priorities, work independently,

and perform effectively as part of a team.
4. Demonstrated ability to liaise, consult, and negotiate in a cross-cultural environment with diverse client groups and the

proven capacity to develop strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
5. Ability to lead and manage multiple projects, competing demands, meet deadlines, appropriately delegate tasks, with the

demonstrated capacity to mentor and develop staff.
6. Experience in providing high level advice requiring a rapid response, sensitivity and confidentiality.
Desirable
1. A sound understanding of the current issues and best practice principles in child protection, domestic, family and sexual

violence and/or homelessness specialist services at a local and national level, or the ability to develop this knowledge.
Further information
The recommended applicant will be required to undergo a criminal history check (a criminal history will not exclude an
applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history).

📌 Principal Policy Officer (Darwin)
🏢 Department of Children & Families
📍 Darwin