Senior Government Relations Officer

The Organisation

Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) is the member based national peak body for the suicide prevention sector.

Over 3,000 people tragically die by suicide and an estimated 65,000 people attempt suicide each year. Over 7.5 million Australians have been close to someone who has died by or attempted suicide.

With over 350 members, SPA provides a collective voice for service providers, practitioners, researchers, local collaboratives and people with lived experience, representing more than 140,000 employees, workers, and volunteers across Australia.
SPA works to inform through data and evidence, to influence systemic changes that drive down suicide rates, and to build capability and capacity for suicide prevention.

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working | 35-hour working week
• Additional paid leave over Christmas
• NFP salary packaging | Employee Assistance Program
• Collaborative, positive and supportive working environment

The Role

As part of the Policy and Government Relations team, you will support a robust policy and government relations agenda and assist in building a strong network of political contacts. As only half of people who die by suicide have a mental health diagnosis, you will work to address the social determinants that can lead to suicide (e.g. homelessness, unemployment, financial distress, relationship breakdown) by working with a range of different government portfolios.

Working collaboratively with all teams across the organisation, you’ll identify opportunities and develop political engagement plans for state, territory, and federal governments, together with:

• Preparing briefings for ministerial meetings
• Delivering high quality written policy work including drafting submissions
• Communication of policy agenda to government audiences and member organisations
• Analysis and evaluation to track impact

Skills Required

This role will suit a candidate with experience working either within government, such as in a Minister’s Office, or from a government relations background. You are passionate about social impact, thrive working in a collaborate fast paced environment and can demonstrate:

• Experience in and knowledge of strategic policy planning and government processes
• Facilitation and networking skills and ability to communicate with a range of audiences
• Success developing and maintaining relationships and partnerships
• Strong skills in researching and writing submissions, reports and correspondence
• Excellent time management and ability to work independently to tight deadlines

Lived and/or living experience of suicide would be desirable but is not essential.

If you want to be part of a high profile sector making a difference to the lives of Australians impacted by suicide, please phone Hayley Martin on 02 8243 0570 or submit your cover letter, responding to the skills required above and CV quoting #1083657

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment values equitable recruitment practices and is committed to representing candidates reflective of the diverse organisations and communities we work with. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs. If you are interested in this position and have most of the skills or experience we are looking for, please go ahead and apply.