The Advocacy Lead is a newly created position at ASC and will apply in-depth policy expertise and advocacy strategy across ASC priority areas.

You will working closely with the CEO and the Head of Communications to monitor, evaluate, and respond to key policy initiatives from state and federal government, develop and nurture relationships with government and sector stakeholders. Play a leading role in the design and implementation of a strategy for public facing advocacy on ASC’s key priorities and provide in depth advice to the ASC Executive team on the latest policy developments and their implications for ASC clients.

This is a fixed term position for up to 2 years and is full-time (38 hours per week) based in Newtown.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with colleagues, with colleagues, lead on developing of in-depth policy strategy across ASC priority areas
• Prepare policy papers, backgrounders for decision makers, and political submissions
• Work to develop networks across external stakeholders to position ASC as a leader in the sector
• Work with the CEO and Head of Communications to map political decision makers and track political outreach
• Coordinate advocacy activity across ASC, including frontline advocacy, direct engagement with stakeholder groups and cross industry initiatives
• Work with Service teams to track direct advocacy and emerging trends in order to create systemic advocacy approaches
• Support the design and implementation of strategy for public facing advocacy
• Lead the rapid response to key policy announcements across channels
• Design and implement a measurement framework for advocacy activity

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential selection criteria:

• Degree in public policy, political science, law, or equivalent
• A minimum of four years’ experience in a policy or advocacy context
• Proven research and analytical skills
• Strong written and communication skills
• Well developed stakeholder engagement expertise
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Demonstrate an evidence-based approach to policy and advocacy and ability to transform evidence into policy, advocacy and practice
• Experience in monitoring policy changes and identifying trends and opportunities to influence policy
• Collaborative focus, with an ability to engage with multiple stakeholders to progress issues

Desirable selection criteria:

• Experience and understanding of policy and public debate around people seeking asylum and refugees
• Understanding of trauma-informed principles
• Lived experience as a refugee or person seeking asylum

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

ASC is an inclusive organisation. We embrace all that makes us different and recognise the benefits that these differences make. We are committed to supporting and ensuring a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of seeking asylum, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to our people

ASC is committed to developing and supporting our employees through a range of opportunities and benefits, including:

• Based on Level 6 of the SCHCDSI Award, an hourly rate of between $54 - $57 per hour, + salary packaging to boost take home pay
• Flexible work arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program
• Leave Loading of 17.5%
• Paid Parental Leave program
• Bonus Paid Leave over the December-January Holiday Season
• Salary packaging option (up to $15,900/year tax-free)
• Meal and Entertainment packaging option (up to $2,650/year tax-free)

APPLY NOW

Please contact Ian McGillivray, Head of People & Culture, via [email protected] using the subject line: Advocacy Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs for a copy of the position description.

To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter which directly addresses the key selection criteria listed above.

Please direct all enquiries to [email protected].