• Salary: up to $98,500 gross per annum (including salary packaging), plus an employer superannuation contribution of 11%, plus a negotiated allowance for working remotely.
  

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.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer.

Direct reports: None.

Position purpose

Deafness Forum Australia – the peak non-government organisation representing citizens who live with hearing loss, have ear or balance disorders, and their families and supporters - is seeking an experienced professional to lead its disability advocacy work.

Deafness Forum Australia is a national not for profit peak endorsed by both the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health & Ageing. Read about our vision, mission and goals at https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/deafness-forum/our-mission-and-the-state-of-hearing-in-australia/

Job Summary

The National Policy and Advocacy Lead will provide strategic guidance, develop evidence-based policy recommendations, and contribute to public discourse on key issues.

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 role plans, delivers, and reports on activities to achieve the grant programs' goals.

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.

Key Responsibilities

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

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.
• Research skills: Ability to critically analyse and synthesise complex information from multiple sources.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Collaboration and leadership: Ability to work collaboratively and to also manage projects independently.

Desirable

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