Senior Policy and Public Financing Specialist

Purpose:  

This role exists to ensure that the evidence, insights and implementation learnings SmartStart has accumulated over more than a decade contribute meaningfully to broader ecosystem efforts — bridging policy, financing and practice, and working collaboratively with government and sector partners to translate that knowledge into actionable policy and financing reform. The role works closely with the Head of Policy & Advocacy.

Key Responsibilities: 

Public financing strategy and analysis 

·        Lead SmartStart's analysis of how public financing, policy and government systems enable — or constrain — the scaling of quality home- and community-based early learning. 

·        Work with government and ecosystem partners to develop and test viable financing pathways that enable public funding to reach underserved programmes at scale, translating implementation evidence and insight into feasible policy and delivery solutions. 

·        Identify, assess and sequence government funding opportunities — tracking the policy and financing environment and translating emerging openings into strategic recommendations for SmartStart's engagement. 

·        Develop and advance SmartStart's public financing propositions with government and sector partners — building the evidence base and narrative needed to shift policy and funding decisions at the highest levels. 

·        Identify and draw lessons from promising financing and delivery approaches — including provincial innovation — and support their adaptation and wider application. 

Policy development and reform 

·        Shape implementation-informed policy and financing proposals — translating evidence and technical analysis into viable options that support government and ecosystem partners to scale equitable access through home- and community-based provision. 

·        Prepare high-quality briefing papers, discussion documents, submissions and strategic presentations that influence policy, financing and implementation decisions. 

·        Lead SmartStart's engagement in policy and regulatory reform processes where these intersect with equitable access, delivery systems and government financing for early learning. 

·        Work with ecosystem partners to develop shared policy positions, reform proposals and financing approaches, identifying opportunities for coordinated advocacy and collective influence. 

Stakeholder, government engagement and solution-building 

·        Build and sustain trusted relationships with government and ecosystem partners — coordinating engagements internally and creating conditions for shared analysis, aligned action and joint problem-solving on financing and delivery challenges. 

·        Work closely with the Head of Policy & Advocacy to prepare for strategic engagements, provide implementation-informed technical input and ensure agreed actions are carried through. 

·        Work with government and partners to develop viable responses to the regulatory, administrative and financing barriers that prevent public funding from reaching home- and community-based programmes — balancing provider realities with the requirements of a scalable, accountable public financing system 

Evidence and organizational learning 

·        Work across SmartStart teams to identify, synthesise and communicate implementation evidence — ensuring that the realities of delivering quality early learning in underserved communities inform policy, financing and systems reform. 

·        Translate implementation learning into credible insights, products and recommendations that strengthen organisational strategy and contribute to broader ecosystem learning. 

·        Track and interpret developments in the policy and financing environment, translating their implications into accessible analysis for internal teams and leadership. 

·        Support organisational strategy and investment planning, contributing to funder reporting on public financing progress and opportunities. 

Coalitions and broader policy work 

·        Represent SmartStart in relevant coalition and partner forums across the early learning ecosystem — contributing to shared policy positions, regulatory reform efforts and emerging sector priorities beyond the immediate public financing portfolio. 

Qualifications and Experience 

·        An Honours degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Public Policy, Public Finance, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Political Science or a related field, together with the requisite relevant professional experience. 

·        Advantageous: A master’s degree in a relevant field and/or specialist training in public finance, fiscal policy, intergovernmental relations, political economy, economics or social policy 

·        8–10 years' relevant professional experience, including substantive experience in public financing, public policy, government systems, public budget analysis or systems reform 

·        Experience in roles focused on public policy, public finance, systems reform, research or policy advisory, including: 

o   Analysing public budgets, financing instruments, policy and regulatory frameworks, and the flow of public funds; 

o   Translating technical analysis and implementation evidence into viable policy, financing or reform proposals; 

o   Navigating government decision-making processes and engaging credibly with senior government and sector stakeholders; and 

o   Working collaboratively across complex multi-stakeholder environments to develop practical solutions and influence systems change. 

·        Advantageous: ​Experience in early childhood development (ECD), education, employment and livelihoods, social protection, or related social and economic policy fields. Experience working in collaborative policy development, coalition-based initiatives or multi-stakeholder reform processes.  ​ 

Key Behaviours, Skills & Competencies 

·        Analytical and systems thinking – able to make sense of complex information, identify patterns and constraints, and develop practical options. 

·        Strategic judgement – able to assess what is desirable, feasible and likely to move work forward. 

·        Solution-oriented approach – moves beyond identifying problems to developing practical responses with colleagues and partners. 

·        Clear communication and translation – able to communicate complex policy and financing issues clearly across technical and non-technical audiences. 

·        Relationship-building and collaboration – builds trust and works effectively across government, civil society, partners and internal teams. 

·        Initiative and constructive challenge – takes ownership of work, exercises sound judgement, and is willing to test ideas, raise concerns and challenge respectfully. 

·        Social justice and equity orientation – brings a clear commitment to equity and public purpose, with an awareness of how policy and financing decisions affect people and communities differently.