About the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) 

The AVA is the peak professional body representing veterinary professionals and students across Australia. For more than 100 years we have been the united voice of the veterinary profession. 

Veterinarians are among Australia's most trusted and respected professionals, dedicated to safeguarding animal health and welfare and supporting the communities they live in.  

Our vision is a thriving veterinary profession, and our purpose is to build a vibrant future for veterinary professionals. 

At the AVA we champion the veterinary community, advance professional excellence, foster connectivity, and deliver exceptional member experiences to achieve our vision of a thriving profession.  

With a national office in Sydney, we also support remote work for the right candidate. 

About the opportunity

The National Manager Policy and Veterinary Science position is offered as a part time, job share on a contract for up to 2 years.  This role is 3 days per week and is responsible for the overseeing the AVA’s policy development and providing veterinary and technical advice.  

The role helps to manage and create AVA’s policy artefacts and developing policy, scientific and technical positions, and includes reactive and proactive policy work. It delivers a high standard of veterinary scientific, technical, ethical and philosophical policies and positions of the AVA, in support of the association’s key strategic priorities and member-driven mandate.

Occasional travel and additional reasonable hours may be required.

Key responsibilities: 

• Support the AVA’s Policy Advisory Council (PAC) by contributing scientific and policy expertise, coordinating working groups, managing online forums, and maintaining records.
• Consult with AVA Divisions, SIGs, and other committees to align competing priorities and contribute to the AVA’s policy agenda.
• Communicate policy decisions and their practical implications to AVA members and stakeholders, ensuring clear translation of information.
• Advise the AVA’s Advocacy Team on technical, veterinary, and policy issues, and monitor developments in animal health, welfare, and relevant legislation.
• Provide high-level scientific and technical advice to AVA management, Board, Divisions, members, and external stakeholders, ensuring a strong evidence base for policy and advocacy.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in veterinary science. 
• High level of practical veterinary, scientific and technical experience. 
• A deep understanding of the issues, political and professional environment, impacting the veterinary profession. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Previous political, policy and advocacy experience.
• Demonstrated experience and exposure to policy creation, writing and implementation.
• Previous experience working with sensitive and political issues.
• Previous experience with government affairs and processes.
• Previous experience managing volunteer committees.

If you need additional information, or for a confidential chat, please email [email protected]

Why you should work with AVA

• Leading professional and scientific organisation. 
• Collaborative, fun and supportive team 
• Flexible hybrid working conditions including work from home.

Visit our website www.ava.com.au for more information on the AVA.

If you are confident that your skills and experience satisfy the above criteria and you are interested in working for a highly respected organisation, please apply by submitting your resume, a covering letter addressing your suitability and the criteria outlined in the advertisement. Please note that only candidates successful in gaining an interview will be contacted. No agencies please.

Applications will be reviewed continuously, and candidates may be advanced before the closing date.