• Play a crucial role in developing and delivering Mind’s policy agendas and organisation plans for the inclusion of people with mental health illness, through building coalitions and designing and managing campaigns and agendas.
• Permanent | Full Time (4 days per week considered)
• Hybrid – Mind corporate office in Burnley & WFH

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived or living experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.

Mind Australia is one of the country’s leading community-managed specialist mental health service providers with a range of residential, mobile outreach, centre based and online services. We have been supporting people living with the day-to-day impacts of mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers for over 45 years. 

We provide practical and motivational support that helps people to develop the skills they need to move on, thrive and improve the quality of their lives. It’s an approach to mental health and wellbeing that looks at the whole person in the context of their daily life. Mind is committed to diversity and social inclusion. 

About the role

The Research, Advocacy & Policy Development division has a national focus providing strategic and operational leadership for investment in research and evaluation, business development, clinical governance, policy development and advocacy. In line with a growth strategy, Research, Advocacy & Policy Development is responsible for developing and delivering on Mind’s strategic goals for advocacy, social change and contributing to a better, stronger Australian mental health system. The Practice, Quality and Service Design business unit aims to understand the impact of mental ill health on people’s lives to ensure that organisational systems, processes, policies, practice and service design embed approaches and attitudes that support the cultural safety, access and engagement of people who are employed, use or benefit from services.

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced Manager Policy and Strategy for a permanent, full-time opportunity (part time options may be considered). In this position, you will play a key role in developing and delivering on Mind’s policy agenda and developing the whole of organisation strategic and operational plans. Working closely with the Executive Director Research, Advocacy and Policy Development, the position provides expert analysis and advice to inform Mind’s advocacy function, and contributes to the development of positions, submissions and briefings. 

Key responsibilities

• Provide timely and reliable advice on the implications of new and existing government policy frameworks relevant to Mind’s priorities for mental health and psychosocial disability
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, prepare and present high level documentations and represent Mind as an industry leader.  
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and partners – including government and funding partners - to ensure high levels of engagement in, and achievement of objectives for, campaigns and other influencing activities.
• Lead and supervise staff, providing support and setting clear direction and expectations.
• Work within approved budget, and prepare and submit all reporting in relation to the program including advice, updates, insights and analysis to relevant groups including Executive and Board. 

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Political Science, Social Policy, Public Health, Human Services or other related field. Post-graduate tertiary qualifications in a relevant field is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development and leading the implementation of campaigns.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in influencing for policy or system change on health, social justice or other public benefit issue.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and management skills and the ability to exercise diplomacy and confidentiality whilst influencing others.
• A lived experience of mental ill health and recovery or experience caring for a person with mental ill health is desirable. 

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• 6 Manager Days Off per annum (pro-rata if part time).
• Generous leave entitlements including 17.5% annual leave loading.
• Learning, development and career opportunities.
• Hybrid work options. 

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 494805. Please contact the person below for more information.

Nicola Ballenden, Executive Director Research, Advocacy & Policy Development

[email protected]

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check and the ability to obtain vaccinations against COVID-19.