Teach For Australia would like to acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of the lands throughout Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Australia’s first peoples.

About the Position

The Senior Advisor, Government Relations, provides expert, strategic advice and support on matters related to the political landscape and authorising environments in which Teach For Australia (TFA) operates. The role develops and implements strategic and tactical government relations and influencing plans that ensure ongoing support and funding for TFA’s work within each jurisdiction.

Alongside preparing briefs, writing correspondence and policy submissions, the Senior Advisor coaches and supports TFA’s State and Territory Managers to effectively manage their government contracts and relationships with Ministers, political staff, MPs, public servants, unions, regulators and other influencers. The Senior Advisor also engages directly with external stakeholders as needed in support of TFA’s Federal, State and Territory Government relations work.

Please note: This is a part time role, FTE 0.8.

About You

Essential

• At least 7 years’ experience working in a government relations or advocacy role for a not-for-profit or education organisation, or as a political advisor, or in a government department.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement strategies to influence government officials, advisers and politicians to support strong public policy outcomes.
• Demonstrated capacity to build strong relationships with people in government, make representations and influence through personal engagement.
• Demonstrated capacity to coach and mentor others.

Desirable

• Undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications in a field related to Government Relations (for example Social Sciences, Policy, Political Science, Law or Community Development)

Primary Accountabilities

Strategic Political Advice

• Actively assess the political landscape within TFA’s operating jurisdictions and provide timely, expert advice on opportunities and risks associated with TFA and its work.
• Develop, implement and manage strategic and tactical government relations/influencing plans that ensure positive authorising and funding environments for TFA’s work.
• Provide strategic advice to colleagues on Federal, State and Territory Government engagements including key stakeholders within the Departments, Ministerial Offices, Central Agencies and across Parliaments.
• Pro-actively manage complex issues and manage risks that may impact on TFA’s reputation.

State and Territory Engagement

• Build strong relationships within the education and related portfolios across Parliaments and Departments and build cross-party support for TFA .
• Foster the capacity of TFA State and Territory Managers to undertake government relations activities in TFA jurisdictions.
• Ensure each State and Territory Manager maximises strategic opportunities to engage with government representatives and elected officials.
• Undertake direct engagement with State and Territory Government stakeholders, in conjunction with State Managers.
• Develop and drive campaigns for new state expansion including developing funding proposal and stakeholder engagement planning.

Government Procurement and Contract Management

• Identify opportunities for TFA to secure new government funding including developing additional offerings, ideas and strategic interventions.
• Design approach, coordinate and draft TFA responses to grant and funding opportunities and competitive processes, including writing contract proposals.
• Lead and/or support others to negotiate government contracts and navigate procurement processes.
• Oversee contract management of all current State and Territory funding agreements, ensuring high quality reporting and risk mitigation.

Secondary Accountabilities

Build and Maintain Third Party Support

• Develop and maintain third party support strategies that ensure supportive individuals and organisations actively leverage their influence on behalf of TFA.
• Build coalitions to assist in influencing government decision-making including participating in cross-sectoral events and forums as a TFA representative.
• Directly engage with and support others to engage with education influencers such as unions, regulators and associations.

Reconciliation and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)

• Demonstrate openness, curiosity, and respect towards TFA’s commitment to Reconciliation, Diversity, Belonging and Inclusion in a way that aligns to your personal learning journey in a professional setting. This may include, but is not limited to; joining internal committees, engaging in professional learning sessions, supporting members of your team in their learnings, leaning into work in this space outside the scope of your role, supporting your Functional area to drive strategic Reconciliation/DEIB initiatives etc.  

Please note that you must have the appropriate right to work in Australia in order to be eligible for this role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake a National Police Clearance, and obtain a valid Working With Children Check. If you have any questions about our recruitment, please email ​[email protected] using the subject line: Senior Advisor, Government Relations - Remote / Work From Home enquiry via EthicalJobs. If you don't hear back from us 2 weeks after closing the role, please note you were unsuccessful for this position. For more information about Teach For Australia and its impact on educational disadvantage, please visit https://teachforaustralia.org/