Who We Are

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is an innovative social impact organisation operating across Australia.

We use our broad outlook, transformational thinking, and trusted voice to lead the charge against inequality in Australia. We were created over 20 years ago to find innovative solutions to entrenched social problems and speed up the rate of positive change.

We think differently, help redesign systems by learning about what works in communities, and work hand-in-hand with passionate partners to take real action and achieve positive social change.

The Young Children Thriving Team

Young Children Thriving (YCT) is one of SVA’s Social Impact Initiatives. The team seeks to transform Australia’s early childhood development landscape for an Australia where all children, regardless of where they live or the challenges their family face, have the opportunities and supports they need to thrive. The team works collaboratively with partners on ambitious high impact initiatives involving redressing system gaps, convening and mobilising stakeholders, building evidence, testing and scaling solutions, and advocating for change.

The Role

The Policy and Research Officer plays an important role within the Young Children Thriving team, contributing to the development of research, policy and strategic initiatives seeking to disrupt and transform the early childhood development system to improve early years outcomes for children in Australia.

They keep up to date with developments across the early childhood landscape, sharing insights across the team and organisation.

The role partners closely with the Policy & Advocacy team and other Social Impact Initiatives to support SVA’s mission to drive systems change and support those in our communities experiencing disadvantage.

Your Benefits

• Work in a business with a track record of driving meaningful social change including being awarded Best CSR Innovation by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) in 2023
• Be part of the SVA team known for living by our values to put people at the centre and be open and ready to learn
• Work in a team that offers flexibility and a hybrid work model that is specific to you and recognises that work is only one of our priorities.
• Join a business which prioritises personal wellbeing and development, including an additional week’s leave after working with SVA for two continuous years.

Who You Are

Our ideal candidate brings proven experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research into complex social issues, with experience in the early childhood space a bonus. You are able to draw out insights from this information to support teams developing policy positions seeking to influence government policy and drive positive social outcomes for people and communities experiencing disadvantage.

Your written and verbal communication skills are second to none and allow you to synthesise complex information to develop resources that are engaging and accessible for diverse technical and non-technical audiences in a variety of formats.

You’re familiar and at ease working in an environment where you navigate multiple and competing priorities and know how to organise your time to ensure that you and your team are delivering projects of a high quality within agreed timeframes.

Last but not least, you are a team player that works well with others to achieve shared goals.

SVA values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.

Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting [email protected] using the subject line: Policy and Research Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs. There is scope to customise the job role to accommodate people with different abilities.

If you have the experience and skills we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 2 pages) and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the person requirements by the closing date.

Please note we will consider and progress applications as they are received and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.