National Policy and Advocacy Lead

National Policy and Advocacy Lead

This new role will be a full-time position with a term(s) of 3 years – we are open to discussing customised work hours that suit your lifestyle needs. The position will be located in Australia in Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra. The role will be performed remotely and a fair, additional allowance will be negotiated to cover your relevant home office expenses. Some interstate travel will be involved but a majority of meetings will be conducted by MS Teams, Zoom, etc.

Salary: up to $84,500 gross per annum plus an employer superannuation contribution of 11%.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer.

Direct reports: None.

Date: July 2023.

Job Summary

This new role will be a full-time position (hours may be negotiated) located in Australia in Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra. This role will be performed remotely and a fair, additional allowance will be negotiated to cover your relevant costs. Some interstate travel will be involved but a majority of meetings will be conducted by MS Teams, Zoom, etc.

The National Policy and Advocacy Lead will provide strategic guidance, develop evidence-based policy recommendations, and contribute to public discourse on key issues. The role involves conducting research, analysing policy issues, writing submissions to government agencies, communicating our value to the community and other stakeholders, managing grant contracts, and participating in meetings with stakeholders.

The National Policy and Advocacy Lead will be responsible for developing and managing Commonwealth grants received from the National Disability Insurance Agency and Department of Social Services and other government-related bodies. Working closely with the CEO, subject matter experts, and relevant government departments, the National Policy and Advocacy Lead will plan, deliver, and report on activities to achieve the grant programs’ goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Support the development of a policy and advocacy agenda aligned with Deafness Forum Australia’s strategic priorities and sector goals.
2. Support the CEO in strategic planning and budgeting.
3. Collaborate with members, external partners, and stakeholders to gather insights and provide policy expertise. Maintain relationships with relevant government contacts.
4. Analyse data and trends to support policy development and prepare written advice on emerging issues.
5. Conduct comprehensive research on complex policy issues and develop a deep understanding of the subject matter.
6. Contribute to thought leadership efforts by producing research papers, policy briefs, and reports.
7. Provide evidence-based advice to support the policy and advocacy agenda.
8. Engage members, partners, and stakeholders to identify important policy areas and recommendations, and in the development of policy and its implementation.
9. Maintain an up-to-date portfolio of policies and positions.
10. Develop a government relations and advocacy plan for state and territory governments.
11. Monitor and create an evolving score card on policy implementation, evaluate effectiveness, and provide recommendations for improvement.
12. Manage all aspects of the grant program, including grant applications, contracts, and reporting requirements.
13. Build strong brand recognition of Deafness Forum Australia.

Outputs

• Member and stakeholder satisfaction with policy positions and advocacy.
• External references to Deafness Forum Australia’s policies and positions.
• Frequent communications to inform the Australian community and various stakeholders.
• Satisfactory acquittal of grant and project activities.
• Quality grant applications.
• Timely reporting to the CEO.

Qualifications

1. Education and experience:
   • Qualification in public policy, or political science, economics, or a related field.
   • Experience working in public policy research, policy analysis, or a similar role.
   • Demonstrated expertise in health or disability policy area(s), supported by practical experience.
2. Research skills: Ability to critically analyse and synthesise complex information from multiple sources.
3. Policy expertise: An understanding of public policy issues, regulatory frameworks, and political landscapes. Experience working on a range of policy areas, such as healthcare, disability, education, environment, or social justice.

4. Analytical mindset: Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and propose innovative solutions. Comfortable working with datasets, identifying trends, and drawing actionable insights.
5. Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex concepts into clear and concise language. Experience presenting research findings to diverse audiences and engaging with stakeholders effectively.

1. Collaboration and leadership: Ability to work collaboratively and to also manage projects independently.

Desirable

1. Experience in planning and implementing strategies and campaigns to bring about change.
2. Experience working in environments requiring a high degree of judgement, confidentiality and sensitivity.
3. Knowledge of the disability sector in Australia.
4. Involvement with member associations or peak bodies.