Join our team at the Australian Physiotherapy Association as a full time Policy Advisor, You'll play a key role in enhancing the division's advocacy efforts and establishing policy legitimacy across various areas.

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid position where some of your days are spent amongst a small friendly team in our Camberwell office and some days you can work from home. On the days you are at the office, you will enjoy modern amenities and FREE secure undercover parking with easy access to public transport. When you work from home you will have quality equipment and services to support you.

About us

As a leading voice in the healthcare sector, and with a membership of over 32,000 members, we are driven to support the success of our members and ensure that physiotherapy is the consumer’s first choice for health and wellbeing.

APA is proud to be an Employer of Choice, Winner of the 2022 Association of the year award and have a great working culture that is under pinned by our core values:

Accountability | Excellence | Collaboration | Courage | Respect

As part of our team, you will be offered a competitive remuneration salary and access to some amazing benefits including a flexible hybrid work model, additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year, a doona day, paid parental leave, free annual flu vaccinations, professional development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Program, special staff discounts and more!

About the role

As a Policy Advisor in the Policy and Government Relations (PGR) team, you will report to the General Manager, PGR. The role is key in enhancing the division's advocacy efforts and establishing policy legitimacy across various areas. The policy Advisor will also collaborate closely with the Strategy and Policy Specialist, PGR, to support major campaign activities.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include providing expert advice on healthcare system challenges, leading assigned APA Policy and Advocacy Blueprint deliverables, fostering relationships with key health sector bodies, analysis of complex information, and crafting positioning and strategic communications for campaigns.

The following accountabilities broadly define the role expectations of this position:

• with the Strategy and Policy Specialist, support the planning and conceptualisation of strategies to support national campaign work
• prepare high-quality written reports, briefs and other documents for a range of audiences on complex healthcare issues and issues across equitable access
• engage in proactive consultation with internal and external stakeholders, actively participating in policy forums, fostering collaborative relationships
• drive planning and inform on project delivery, including anticipating challenges and proactively engaging with senior leadership to manage risk, ensure high quality delivery and impact
• support State Branches to advocate for policy and align with APA national policy, including in strengthening our campaigns to Primary Healthcare Networks
• support members as they participate in consultations on public policy issues, including the (co)design and re-design of funding programs that support the provision of physiotherapy
• collaborate with staff in teams across the APA to ensure the organisational strategy and tactics being used to pursue policy goals align with those occurring in professional education, communications and marketing.

About you and key selection criteria

A foundation in public policy, communications, journalism, law or related discipline, either through academic qualifications or relevant experience, will be highly regarded.

The successful candidate will have:

• a professional, positive, strategic and solutions-focused approach to work
• the ability to work with professionals on structural and systemic issues that affect their ability to deliver high quality services
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, and experienced in preparing briefs and background analyses
• sound skills and experience in rapidly appraising large volumes of information and deriving critical issues from it
• strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated confidence in presenting indicative solutions to panels of peers
• the ability to effectively prioritise and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• experience in working independently on substantive problems and collaborating in a team-oriented environment
• experience in a policy or strategic communication-related position
• a high level of knowledge of the Australian healthcare system, government policy including a comprehensive understanding of issues impacting on the delivery of physiotherapy services
• knowledge of the Australian political landscape would also be highly regarded
• ability to travel interstate from to time to time.

A position description is attached.

Are you ready to join our team?

If you are interested in the role please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria by clicking Apply Now.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Policy Advisor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

The APA is a safe and inclusive workplace which values diversity of background, experience and perspective amongst our team members. We welcome all applicants and commit to a fair and equitable recruitment process for all.

The APA honours the richness and importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures around Australia. We respect the thousands of years of custodianship of the lands on which we work, and we recognise the unique and valuable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members make to our workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

All candidates must have full Australian Working Rights.

Only those successful in the selection process will be contacted.

Please note there is no closing date for this role and shortlisting will occur on a rolling basis. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.