Sue is looking for a passionate, dynamic, experienced person to join her in a new Green political venture. You will be the Policy, Parliamentary, Media and Communications Advisor to the office of Greens MP Sue Higginson.

In May, Sue will commence work as a Greens NSW MP for a term of 5 years. She will fill a casual vacancy in the NSW Legislative Council, replacing David Shoebridge. Sue will be one of a team of six Greens MPs and their teams in the NSW Parliament.

Sue is a public interest environmental lawyer and justice advocate, the former Principal Solicitor and CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office, a farmer and an activist. She lives on unceded Gullibul Country in the Bundjalung Nation, in the Northern Rivers.

Sue’s initial portfolio responsibilities are: Climate Change - Environment - Mining, Coal & Gas - Justice - Emergency Services - Agriculture - Renewable Energy - Aboriginal Justice - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage - Employment - Mid North Coast - Riverina - Western NSW

You would be joining Sue in this exciting new venture. Together you will work as part of a small dynamic team to effect as much positive change as possible in the relevant portfolios, inside and outside of Parliament. Sue is looking for someone to start up very soon.

Core responsibilities

• Policy and Reform. Undertake policy analysis and develop law and policy reform initiatives within the Parliamentary process, coordinated with campaigns of the office, aligned with Greens policy.
• Parliamentary Business. Undertake research, writing speeches, briefs and identifying amendments to relevant government and private members legislation and motions. Assist in committee work, budget estimates and parliamentary business.
• Media and Communications. Draft media releases and communications content conveying compelling legal, policy and political messaging to diverse audiences.
• Community and Stakeholder Engagement. Positively interact with a wide range of stakeholders around the State. Build and maintain relationships of trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, communities and professions.
• Sound Work Administration. To be organised, manage diaries, inquiries and competing deadlines. To contribute positively to the functions of a small office. To use technology, including social media and web-based applications.
• Travel. Ability to travel throughout NSW when required.

Selection criteria

• Commitment to Greens’ policies and values. You care about ecological sustainability, social and economic justice, peace, non-violence and disarmament, and grassroots democracy.
• Parliamentary experience. You have experience and knowledge of the functions and processes of the NSW Parliament including legislative procedures and processes and the workings of Government and State politics.
• Excellent policy development and research skills. You have a demonstrated understanding of law and policy in NSW, the ability to comprehend, critically analyse and distill complicated information and an understanding of the legislative process to achieve outcomes for reform. You have experience in, or demonstrated detailed understanding of one or more of the following policy areas with relevance to NSW: Climate Change, Environment, Mining, Coal and Gas, Renewable energy, Justice, Emergency Services, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, First Nations Justice and Employment.
• Strong relationship skills. You have experience in building and maintain relationships of trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, communities and professions.
• Working independently and collaboratively. You have the ability to work positively within a small team, across teams, and autonomously with minimal direction to manage priorities and achieve agreed outcomes. Including demonstrated initiative, collaborative work practice and a proven capacity to work unsupervised and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills. You are a strong communicator and can write simply and powerfully and convey political messaging. You have proven analytical skills and sound experience in undertaking research and presenting concise briefings.
• Technology Proficient. You are experienced in some social media and web-based applications. Experience using Nation Builder, InDesign and the Creative Cloud suite, and web content creation, Photoshop Premiere Pro, photography and filming is desirable.
• Sound work administration. You are organised, can manage diaries, inquiries and competing deadlines. You are skilled and experience in using technology, including social media and web-based applications. You want to work in a small office.
• Travel. Ability to travel throughout NSW when required.

Note: your application may still be considered even if you can’t respond to one or two of the selection criteria. What’s most important is your passion, ability and eagerness to learn and your commitment to building a better future.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to submit an application.

Sue is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested and qualified you are strongly encouraged to apply – you won’t be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

PAY AND CONDITIONS

• Organisation/Entity: Parliament of New South Wales – Legislative Council
• Salary: Maximum total remuneration package $99,432 pa (depending on skills and experience) including salary ($78,736 pa - $90,253 pa), an all incidence allowance ($9,179 pa), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
• Primary Location: Based in Parliament of NSW, Sydney, required to travel from time to time, flexible working arrangements possible.
• Work Type: Full time, permanent.
• Classification: Temporary employment for 6 months with a view to be ongoing employment. All new staff are employed for an initial 6 months and subject to satisfactory performance can convert to ongoing. A 3-month probation period also applies.
• The Selection Process: The Greens NSW is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring that at least 50% of applicants interviewed identify as women.

If you have any questions, please call Sue Higginson on 0428 227 363.

A position description is attached.