• Community Development (Community Services & Development)
  
• Part time
  
• $83,000 – $93,000 per year pro-rata

VACCHO promotes substantive equality for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act (2010). This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Policy Officer, Campaigns and Advocacy will have the main responsibility of developing and delivering on the advocacy priorities of VACCHO. This Policy officer will need to be aware of the political and policy machinations of the Victorian Government, and ideally the Federal Government, and have the ability to activate allied organisations to influence change for the betterment of health and wellbeing for Aboriginal Victorians. The Policy Officer will contribute to VACCHO being a strong voice for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and influencing policy across the range of health issue areas.

The Officer will also liaise closely with other members of the team to communicate the developments and outcomes of the working groups and action plan implementation process to the Partnership Forum, Member’s forum and through other mechanisms. The role will also support the Policy team in other areas of strategic priority through the development of evidence-based submissions, briefings, policy campaigns and other similar tasks when required.

Benefits

• Working for Community in a culturally safe Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
• Access to generous Not for Profit salary packaging entitlements, bonus leave, cultural leave.
• Entitlement to leave loading.
• Organisational early finish Fridays and flexible working arrangements considered.
• Work in inner-city Collingwood with wellness spaces and end of trip facilities available.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop the production of VACCHO’s policy, advocacy, and campaign documents such as reports and position papers.
• Support advocacy led by VACCHO’s Executive Directors and staff within their business units.
• Support strategic planning, policy development and implementation for VACCHO.
• Develop submissions, briefs, letters and responses to Government processes including Parliamentary or Government enquiries.
• Provide timely, evidence based, strategic advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative solutions to complex and sensitive issues based on research to senior/ management to enable decision-making.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience working in campaigning and advocacy with a record of influencing policy.
• Experience working in policy development
• Good understanding of legislative and policy making processes and structures within Victoria
• Good knowledge of the health sector and policy in Victoria
• An ability to comprehend and analyse laws, policy and research to inform VACCHO’s advocacy and campaigns
• Experience of mobilising stakeholders, such as communities or partners, in advocacy and campaigns
• Excellent written communication skills and demonstrated experience preparing complex briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs while ensuring appropriate style and formats are used.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and research skills with an aptitude for problem solving.
• Ability to understand issues and pressures to which the organisation has to respond and ability to understand the reasons behind the organisational climate and culture.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and always remain impartial.
• Self-motivated and demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and as an effective team member, promoting cooperation and commitment to achieve goals.
• A flexible approach, with strong organisational and planning skills, including the ability to effectively manage time and workload, prioritise tasks, and meet changing circumstances, competing demands, interruptions, and deadlines.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience using Microsoft applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Project Management) combined with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply as your cultural and lived experiences are central to the work we do.

Highly Regarded

• Tertiary qualification in public health, policy or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience in housing or family violence or population health or training & skills sector.
• Good knowledge of Closing the Gap and associated work.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and commitment to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and health.
• Demonstrated understanding of the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Control.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal peoples, Communities, and organisations, in a culturally safe, and appropriate, manner.
• Demonstrated understanding of LGBTQIASB+ issues and experience with LGBTQIASB+ people via professional engagement, employment or lived experience.

Get in touch

For more information regarding this role, please contact [email protected], using the subject line: Policy Officer, Campaigns and Advocacy enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Other employment related information

Employment is subject to satisfactory and ongoing police records check (international where relevant), and Working with Children Check.

About Us

We are a centre of expertise, policy advice, training, innovation and leadership in Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

Visit us here for more info: vaccho.org.au.

A position description is attached.

VACCHO is committed to welcoming and embracing the diversity of cultures,identities, gender, sex, and sexually diverse identities and expressions, experiences, beliefs, and values of all people.

We believe in the right for all people to be treated with the respect and dignity at all times, and that all people who work for, govern or undertake work at or visit us should at all times feel safe and included.

About Salary Packaging

As a Public Benevolent Institute (PBI), we are able to offer generous tax concessions to our staff. For further information, please click here: salarypackagingplus.com.au: Categories & Benefits.