• Advocate on behalf of professional firefighters and support staff
• Utilise your industrial policy, advocacy or legal background to drive change
• Canberra based. Attractive salary package and conditions

The Organisation

The United Firefighters’ Union of Australia UFUA represents more than 13,000 members to advance their industrial, political and social standing through continued campaigns and advocacy. The UFUA’s work is aimed at achieving improved working conditions for career firefighters, administration, communications and support staff facing dangerous and often life-threatening situations.

The UFUA represents professional firefighter union branches in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, ACT, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the Aviation sector branch. Most public policy somehow relates to fire prevention, firefighting and rescue.

Benefits & Culture

• Generous salary package including 17.5% Super + MV Allowance
• Newly established national office
• Interstate and potentially overseas travel required

The Role

Reporting to the national secretary you will play a pivotal role in supporting fire and rescue related industrial issues through case creation and policy development, research and implementation. You will advocate for the union ensuring all programs are supported by accurate data and driving successful outcomes for all members.
You will do this by:

• Providing advice and assistance to senior union management nationally
• Researching and reporting on national and international fire and rescue related industrial issues
• Lobbying, liaison and negotiation with government, political parties, government bureaucracies, unions and other stakeholders
• Prepare media releases for media representatives and act as media spokesperson
• Proposing policies to the national executive and committee
• Supporting national and international WHS activity and membership policy training
• Develop policy and position papers contributing to government submissions
• Managing research projects ensuring they are impactful through effective evaluation of outcomes

Skills Required

You have a successful track record in industrial policy research, analysis, development and evaluation, including case and submission preparation and presentation to tribunals ideally within a health, social or legal policy setting.
Specific skills and experience required include:

• Ability to represent your employer in public forums applying policy and campaign direction
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship building; ability to influence, negotiate & collaborate
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Communication skills to frame and translate research & policy into compelling narratives
• A commitment to trade unionism and understanding of an organising approach
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in a union and political context

If you are passionate about representing and advocating for comrades facing dangerous and often life-threatening situations please click apply to submit your resume and cover letter responding to the skills required above. Alternatively, please call Gemma Schade on 03 8080 8978 to discuss.

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.