• Do you want to do work that really matters? Help us end avoidable blindness
• Full time, Permanent Role based in Sydney or Melbourne (Flexible work arrangements available)

ABOUT THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION

Come and join our international development organisation, working to eliminate avoidable blindness. Currently operating in over 25 countries throughout Australia, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, The Foundation has restored sight to over two million people worldwide. We have an ambitious five-year strategic plan that aims to take The Foundation even closer to realising our vision of a world in which no person is needlessly blind and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people exercise their right to good health.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Policy Advisor is accountable for leading the development of public policy, providing strategic advice and the execution of related systemic advocacy in multilateral affairs aligned to The Foundations Strategy. The role works closely with the Director, Global Policy & Advocacy and will help drive a world leading policy agenda at the inter-governmental level and with UN agencies to elevate eye health as a social, economic and development issue and an integral part of achieving universal health coverage.

ABOUT YOU

You will be, above all a strategic and systems thinker, with a well tuned intuition for deciphering complex policy environments and fostering strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders in the process. You will be able to create content that resonates both internally and externally and communicates effectively across cultures and a diverse spectrum of audiences. You will have a proven ability to drive towards achieving policy and advocacy objectives, even when the journey is unclear and the landscape is constantly evolving. With great project management and analytical skills, you will be able to turn issues into solvable problems, turning creative ideas into practical solutions. You will be flexible and able to pivot ideas and tasks to meet the changing needs of the business and work well in a culturally diverse environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop robust organisational level public policy positions on priority issues through policy analysis and internal and external research and consultation
• Foster and strengthen relationships with key external stakeholders and alliances related to priority policy matters and maintain primacy of knowledge, opportunities for engagement and undertake systemic advocacy to influence multilateral and inter-governmental institutions and platforms in collaboration with the Global Policy & Advocacy Team
• Provide sound advice on public policy matters related to portfolios of work to senior management and staff at the head office and country level
• Support policy translation, knowledge sharing and capacity building from the global organisational level to individual country context and vice versa in collaboration with country teams and staff across divisions
• Support and manage the pursuit of opportunities to influence Australian aid and development policy aligned to government relations priorities
• Manage and develop expert written materials, such as briefings, discussion papers, public submissions and public commentary pieces, to inform and advance The Foundation's advocacy and government engagement agenda and profile as a thought leader in global eye health advocacy
• Contribute to the development of a sophisticated and effective advocacy and government engagement capability and culture across The Foundation from the global to local level, through management and coordination support for the functions of the Advocacy and Government Engagement Leadership Group

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and a minimum 5 years’ experience or a minimum 10 years’ experience in a relevant discipline, political office or government agency; social science; public health; public policy or other related field.
• Strong understanding and demonstrated working knowledge of multilateral and inter-governmental institutions, particularly UN institutions
• Strong understanding of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Strong experience in areas of research, policy analysis and policy development.
• Strong experience writing in various formats for internal and external audiences.

Highly Desirable

• Experience working in a policy and advocacy role in the international NGO sector or within a UN institution

How we recognise your contribution

Through our internal programs and employee benefits we aim to create an environment where you will feel supported and empowered. Whether your focus is on continuous learning, professional development or simply finding an environment which enables you to thrive while balancing family or personal commitments, then we have a number of programs in place to support you.

These include:

• Doing meaningful work that will help shape the lives of those living in communities
• Flexible work environment – we focus on output not hours
• Generous Leave allowances, including time of for cultural significant/ceremonial leave
• Ongoing commitment to your continuous learning and career development

To find out more about our benefits click here

APPLICATIONS

If this opportunity appeals to you and suits your skills, we would love to have a confidential conversation with you. Please reach out to our Talent Acquisition Specialist Hanna Hadaya at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Advisor - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs, kind note that CV’s will not be considered through this email address.

A position description is attached.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to protecting the rights of children and community partners in all areas where we work. Applicants are advised that The Foundation reserves the right to conduct police checks and other screening procedures to ensure we maintain and promote a child safe environment.