Carers Australia is a not for profit organisation focused on providing a consistent and vital voice for unpaid carers in Australia.

Carers Australia represents the interests of family and friend carers of people with disability, chronic illness, mental disorders, the terminally ill and the aged across a diverse and complex range of issues. These include providing support and services to carers and those they care for, social security, employment-related matters, and the broader welfare reform and sector restructuring agendas.

This multifaceted role will challenge a keen mind and offer an opportunity to participate in policy-related initiatives across the community sector and with national government.

This is a great opportunity to work for a respected organisation, where you will be given the opportunity to showcase your skills.

Duties and responsibilities

• Keep up to date with the diverse range of policy, legislative, and regulatory developments that impact on carers
• Research and write submissions, reports, briefs and carer-friendly explanatory documents interpreting policy developments in the carer space
• Develop policy proposals to Government
• Assist other areas of Carers Australia by alerting and explaining to them policy development and sector research outcomes that impact on their work
• Liaise and work with state and territory carers associations, government and non-government organisations on carer issues
• Represent Carers Australia in a range of policy forums

Selection Criteria

• Strong policy skills, demonstrating problem-solving, research, analytical skills and the ability to identify the best approaches to achieve desired outcomes
• An understanding of the way political engagement influences Government decisions
• An understanding of the broad policy drivers in the human services sector
• A general understanding of Parliamentary processes and the capacity to analyse legislation and regulations
• Strong writing and oral communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences (for example submission to Government, briefs on policy issues, conveying information to carers)
• The ability to represent Carers Australia in stakeholder forums
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new information and skills
• Well-developed interpersonal skills to assist with stakeholder engagement both across the Carers Australia network of carers associations, with other peaks in the sector and with the public service
• A strong capacity for self-motivation and demonstrated ability to organise work, set priorities and complete tasks, often within tight timeframes
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team as required.

• Behaviour and work style which is collaborative, professional and consistent with the culture and objectives of Carers Australia
• A commitment to and adherence to the Code of Expected Behaviours and policies and procedures of Carers Australia