Futures and Innovation Analyst

Public Skills Australia has been appointed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) as one of 10 Jobs and Skills Councils. We work with employer and employee representatives from the Public Safety and Government industry-sectors Police Fire and Emergency Services Correctional Services Defence and all levels of Government to ensure Australias vocational education and training (VET) system delivers better outcomes for learners and employers. A primary function of our work is to provide workforce planning industry intelligence and training product development in support of industry needs and government priorities.

The Futures and Innovation Analyst is accountable to the Manager Government Priorities and Futures and is responsible for development of futures focussed deliverables to enhance the utility of Public Skills Australias products. This role will bring a proficiency in designing and facilitating futures and foresight activities to generate unique insights add further depth to deliverables and provide advice on how to drive innovation within Public Skills Australia. Deliverables should be easily understood usable and connected to the broader narratives in the jobs and skills landscape whilst also having utility to the Public Safety and Government industry sectors. The role will analyse government priorities to determine potential shifts in the environment and leverage futures and strategic foresight methods to develop products that anticipate the future impacts on the public safety and government workforces skills and capabilities.

The Futures and Innovation Analyst must foster cross-sectoral collaboration builds advocacy for strategic initiatives and ensure strategic futures methodologies are robust inclusive and responsive to industry sector requirements. The role works closely with stakeholders and with other teams at Public Skills Australia to identify the connections between over-the-horizon workforce challenges government priorities key advice from network subject matter experts and the potential implications for Public Skills Australias work program. Operating with high political acumen and corporate maturity the position builds trusted relationships with senior stakeholders negotiates consensus across diverse interests and ensures outputs meet rigorous quality standards.

Responsibilities

In partnership with internal stakeholders and external service providers with the intent of ensuring compliance with relevant legislative grant and company compliance obligations the Workforce Futures Lead will:

comprehensive analysis of emerging and over-the-horizon workforce challenges including future skills needs and shortages across Public Safety and Government industry sectors.

complex futures insights and strategies into concise accessible summaries papers and reports for governance executive and Board reporting.

a range of strategic foresight and engagement methods to produce the evidence and futures insights to inform deliverables and outputs and drive innovation in Public Skills Australias work program.

key advice across the organisation to leaders managers and executives on innovative solutions and delivery of key Public Skills Australia work items.

closely with the Senior Networks and Partnerships Adviser to make connections between over-the-horizon workforce challenges government priorities key advice from network subject matter experts and the potential implications for Public Skills Australias work program.

evidence based advice on future workforce challenges and opportunities ensuring priority cohorts and industry perspectives are represented in policy and system reform discussions.

drafting of key products meets quality standards and expectations and are of value to industry.

and oversee executive-level reporting translating complex futures information and data into actionable insights.

workshops with key stakeholders (internal and external) to inform the development and delivery of Public Skills Australias work program.

teams in strategic foresight and innovation practices fostering a culture of acceptance of feedback and guidance and delivering robust innovative and evidence-based work.

with a high level of political acumen and corporate maturity to build relationship with senior and executive level stakeholders

consensus through negotiation with different stakeholders in the development of workforce planning research and policy products.

originality of thought and promote new and innovative approaches when developing workforce planning research and policy products.

Key selection criteria

Essential

1.A Higher Education qualification such as a relevant Bachelors or Masters degree.

futures/strategic foresight skills and experience.

written and verbal communications skills with applied knowledge of impactful and informative report writing.

capability to engage negotiate and build consensus with stakeholders while maintaining trusted relationships.

ability to facilitate workshops using strategic foresight methods and other engaging innovation activity with application to future jobs skills and training analysis.

understanding of complex research methodologies.

in a project-based delivery environment.

to promote a curious and innovative culture across the company.

capability work on multiple products in a fast-paced environment.

independent problem-solving skills and initiative.

in a supervisory or team leader role.

Desirable

working within a government and/or corrections environment.

in workforce planning policy development AND/OR strategic foresight AND/OR environmental scanning.

How to apply

Your application should include a CV/Resume of no more than 4 pages and a Cover Letter of no more than 2 pages. The Cover Letter should not repeat information contained in the CV but specifically address the essential Key Selection Criteria. Any queries should be directed to the HR and Recruitment Officer at Applications close at midnight Monday 5 January 2026.