CREATE Foundation is the peak consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with experience of out-of-home care to advocate for change to improve the systems impacting their lives. At CREATE, we are mission driven, adaptive and creative in responding to the emergent needs and aspirations of children and young people with lived experience. We aim to influence system, policy and practice changes by listening to the voices of the children and young people who have experienced them first-hand.

We are looking for a Project and Advocacy Lead, QLD who is passionate about championing the voices of children and young people. This role is pivotal in driving our strategic goals by leading impactful advocacy efforts that shape public policy and enhance outcomes for children and young people in care. If you're excited about creating change and making a real difference through strategic influence and advocacy, we want you on our team!

A typical day in this role could include preparing a detailed response to a government inquiry, attending a strategic stakeholder networking event, or collaborating with the QLD team to design a workshop session for young people. Projects might include coordinating a lived experience governance group, writing a report or practice guide, developing an election strategy for the next upcoming election, presenting at a local conference, or participating in a community event focused on young people in care. The role offers diverse responsibilities and the flexibility to focus on areas that align with your professional interests and expertise.

This role is a fixed term role until 30/06/2026, 38 hours per week, based in the CREATE Albion office in Brisbane with work from home options.

We offer great entitlements including flexible working hours and hybrid arrangements, salary sacrificing, and an additional 3 days complimentary leave between Christmas and New Year!

Position context and specific job requirements

• Work effectively in a small team in a fast-paced environment, with many competing deadlines. This includes working in a multi-disciplinary state team context, as well as being part of a remote national advocacy team.
• Assist in collecting insights from children and young people in a trauma informed way. This includes conducting interviews and co-facilitating design workshops, policy roundtables, meetings and other small group sessions with children and young people to hear and document their voices.
• Review literature, service and research data, policy documents and practice frameworks relevant to out-of-home care and related sectors.
• Use these multiple sources of information to develop CREATE’s consultations, policy submissions, briefing papers, media statements and other advocacy products.
• Prepare quality/accurate reports utilising CREATE’s established templates and Style Guide.
• Contribute to the organisation’s policy and consultation agenda and assist the process as outlined in the specific project plan and /or individual work plans.
• Progress designated projects, ensuring delivery of milestones, reports, toolkits, practice guides and other deliverables, and ensure information and updates are captured to inform reporting requirements for funders and the CREATE Board.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of issues and trends in the out-of-home care sector.
• Conduct monitoring of media coverage and sector developments in state.
• Assist in the promotion of CREATE’s advocacy position to key stakeholders. This includes developing and maintain relationships with sector and government stakeholders, attending meetings on behalf of CREATE and supporting CREATE’s executive to engage in stakeholder meetings e.g. preparing meeting briefs and talking points.
• Assist in the implementation of policy, research and advocacy initiatives.
• Engage in the National Experience to Action Board (Youth) as directed.
• Facilitate, manage and coordinate governance groups (where required) of young people and or stakeholders in line with advocacy initiatives.
• Conduct analysis of themes arising from Youth Advisory Groups and other programs, and draft summaries of these to share with young people, teams across CREATE, and government and sector stakeholders.
• Engage with CREATE’s Marketing and Communications team to supply relevant content for media engagement, social media posts, magazine development, blog posts, newsletters and Advocacy wrap-ups.
• Contribute to national advocacy and priorities as needed. Support other state advocacy as needed, in line with CREATE’s priorities.
• Contribute to All Staff advocacy forums and presentations as needed. Support maintenance of CREATE’s Advocacy and Research Hub.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Work effectively in a small team, in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities to communicate CREATE’s advocacy and policy position internally and externally.
• Actively contribute to CREATE’s research and policy initiatives.
• Appropriately collect information from children and young people, and/or the OOHC sector to inform CREATE’s consultations and policy platform. This includes conducting interviews and participating in meetings or small groups with children and young people to hear and document their voices.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to CREATE’s core principles, and adherence to the National Child Safe Standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work in culturally appropriate ways with young people and stakeholders.
• Prepare quality/accurate reports utilising CREATE’s established templates and Style Guide.
• Prepare or assist in developing submissions, briefing papers and correspondence and meet stated deadlines.
• Facilitate, manage and coordinate projects and governance groups (where required) of young people and or stakeholders in line with advocacy initiatives.

Selection Criteria

• Possess a minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Human Services / Psychology / Sociology / Social Science or a related discipline coupled with at least 3 years’ experience in a policy or research environment. Demonstrated knowledge of the out-of-home care sector (child protection) in Australia and ability to be an effective systemic advocate and adhere to the National Child Safe Standards.
• Demonstrated understanding of the nexus between policy and research and well developed understanding of research processes. Experience in interviewing and engaging children and young people in activities such as forums, consultations, and research in a culturally safe manner. Demonstrated ability to work in a cross-cultural context.
• Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate in an age appropriate and culturally sensitive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality written materials including reports, briefing papers, and submissions and ability to meet deadlines and prioritise busy workload.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong networks with key stakeholders. High level of skill in working in a multi-disciplinary team and contributing meaningfully to discussions/debates. High level of skill in problem solving with a solution focus.
• Highly organised and highly effective time management skills. Ability to prioritise a busy workload and meet stipulated timeframes. Ability to follow instructions and complete work to a high standard. Ability to work autonomously and be proactive, show initiative, coupled with an ability to work as a productive member of a small team. Highly skilled at proactively ensuring that reports and deadlines for projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a cross-cultural context, and ability to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Ability to work within the National Child Safe Standards.
• Successful Security Check per state requirements (for example Police Check and Working with children card / Blue Card).
• All applicants must be eligible to work in Australia. A copy of Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Residency status will be required.

CREATE is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities and we encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background to apply for the position. People with out-of-home care experience are also strongly encouraged to apply.

A position description is attached.