Policy Manager

Who we are

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with partners to alleviate disadvantage and towards an Australia where all people and communities thrive. We influence systems to deliver better social outcomes for people by learning about what works in communities, helping organisations be more effective, sharing our perspectives and advocating for change.

The Policy and Advocacy team

The Policy & Advocacy (P&A) team supports SVA to achieve its mission by improving SVA’s practical knowledge about reducing disadvantage. P&A plays a pivotal role in understanding the external evidence of what works and codifying the learning from SVA’s work with partners in the areas of Education, Employment, Housing and First Nations. Our Policy and Advocacy team drives SVA’s systems change agenda by taking SVA’s perspectives and using them to influence government policy and sector practice to become more effective and reduce disadvantage.

The position

A newly created role in the Policy & Advocacy team, the Policy Manager is responsible for designing and implementing strategies to support SVA’s policy and advocacy agenda in the Early Childhood space. The position works closely with the Associate Director, Policy and Advocacy to develop and represent SVA positions in the broader national debate, which are  intrinsically linked to SVA’s overarching campaign and advocacy agenda. This could include government relations, managing relationships with sector stakeholders and partners, public communication strategies as well as analysing policy in areas such as early learning and maternal and child health.
  
Your benefits

• Work in a business awarded Best Workplace 2021 from Voice Project with 81% employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Join an organisation awarded Change Champion 2021 for recognising and actioning our employees’ insights to improve experience and business performance
• Be part of the SVA team known for living by our values to put people at the centre and be open and ready to learn
• We don’t believe that “one size fits all” so we offer flexibility and a hybrid work model that is specific to your team and recognises that work is only one of our priorities.
• Join a business with a focus on your wellbeing and development with an additional week’s annual leave after working with SVA for two continuous years.

Who you are

Our ideal candidate brings an understanding of the levers employed by Government in developing and implementing social policy and knowledge of Australia’s early years policy settings.

They will have demonstrated experience conducting policy analysis and contributing to research and evidence which allows them to develop and implement policy, advocacy and research strategies that support SVA’s early childhood advocacy agenda.

They will be skilled and familiar with working with diverse actors across the social sector and in Government to develop and refine SVA’s understanding of current policy issues in the Early Years space, understand Government priorities, and grow SVA’s reputation as a key player in contributing to and influencing policy decisions that strengthen outcomes for Australians experiencing disadvantage.

SVA values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.
   
SVA has a COVID-safe plan in place to protect the health and safety of our people, visitors and the wider community. We work with various sectors of the community, including vulnerable individuals and others in our workplaces.
We believe that being vaccinated to protect against infectious diseases such as COVID19 is an important part of supporting our community. Hence, consistent with our current Vaccination Policy, all successful candidates must be up to date with their COVID19 vaccination or have a valid medical exemption and provide evidence of this.

The position description is available on the SVA website.
https://www.socialventures.com.au/careers/position-descriptions/
We recommend that you review the position description before applying for the role.

If you have the experience and knowledge we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 2 pages) and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the person requirements by midnight AEST 28 July 2023.
  
Please note we may consider applications on an ongoing basis and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.