About us

The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA NSW) is the peak body for community housing providers in NSW. We represent over 100 members across the State, that collectively own and/or manage around 50,000 properties - the largest community housing sector in Australia.

CHIA NSW works with its members to build a sustainable and growing community housing sector that is focused on delivering great outcomes for our tenants and the communities in which they live.

CHIA NSW's members provide social and affordable housing to individuals and families experiencing housing stress in NSW.

About the opportunity

The Senior Policy Officer will be responsible to the Head of Policy for leading and managing a range of research, policy, and service delivery projects and for helping to co-ordinate the sector’s involvement in policy and debate.

This includes the provision of a wide range of research and policy reports, good practice advice, information, and resources to support the Boards, management, and staff of individual member organisations, with the aim of building members’ capacity to improve and expand their businesses.

Other roles will include stakeholder and member engagement, supporting our media and communication work, and supporting our advocacy work. The Senior Policy Officer will also contribute to the development of CHIA NSW’s major events such as the Community Housing Conference and stakeholder engagement events.

As a senior member of the Policy team, the Senior Policy Officer is expected to make an effective contribution to the achievement of the organisation’s broader objectives as an industry peak body.

About You

You are an experienced Senior Policy Officer, ideally with previous experience working in policy or advocacy in government, the not-for-profit sector, or a peak body.

You have a clear desire to work with an organisation that seeks to improve the lives of some of individuals and families in the community. Like us, you believe that safe, secure, and affordable housing is a fundamental right.

You love to influence positive change in the community, and you value diversity and the power of ideas.

The successful applicant will have:

• Degree in social sciences or related discipline and/or equivalent experience
• At least 5 years’ experience in policy analysis or advocacy preferably in the social or community housing sector
• Excellent research and report writing skills, including the ability to prepare reports to publication standard
• Excellent oral communication skills, including strong presentation skills
• Ability to communicate, negotiate effectively, and consult with a diverse range of stakeholders at all levels, including community housing, government, not-for-profit, and corporate stakeholders
• Excellent understanding of State, Federal and Local Government and the process of policy development
• Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to manage contractors to ensure effective project delivery

You will have a strong alignment with the purpose and values of CHIA NSW and its members and be a natural networker and collaborator.

This is a full-time, permanent appointment, based in Sydney. Flexible and/or part-time work arrangements (4 days per week) will be considered on request.

A competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience will be negotiated with the successful applicant. Salary packaging is available.

A position description is available below.

Please contact Caitlin McDowell, Head of Policy, with any queries about the role by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note that as a condition of employment, CHIA NSW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including booster shots, when eligible).