The Policy Officer will have the responsibility for delivering on VACCHO’s policy and advocacy agenda including in relations to Closing the Gap and the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership (AHWP). The Officer will have a lead role in supporting the AHWP Forum, undertaking the responsibilities of the AHWP Forum’s secretariat and will work closely with team members across VACCHO and the Department of Health to deliver poignant, well executed events aligned with the priorities of the AHWP Action Plan. The Policy Officer will contribute to VACCHO being a strong voice for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and influencing policy across the range of health issue areas.

The Officer will support advocacy campaigns and support VACCCHO’s Executive in building relationships with Members of Parliament, Government Departments and similar agencies. The role will also support VACCHO in other areas of strategic priority through the development of evidence-based submissions, briefings, policy campaigns and other similar tasks when required.

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act (2010). This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Benefits

• Working for Community in a culturally safe Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
• Access to generous Not for Profit salary packaging entitlements and leave loading.
• Access to additional leave entitlements including cultural leave, purchased leave and bonus Christmas leave if employed at VACCHO into the following year.
• Organisational early finish Fridays and flexible working arrangements considered.
• Work in inner-city Collingwood with wellness spaces and end of trip facilities available.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support the delivery of the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum, Koori Caucus and Action Plan.
• Deliver the secretariat functions of the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum and Koori Caucus.
• Produce high quality and relevant meeting papers and briefs and review and add value to briefs prepared by other stakeholders, to ensure decision makers are provided with relevant and timely information to enable effective and strategic decision making.
• Develop submissions, briefs, letters and responses to Government processes including Parliamentary or Government enquiries.
• Develop VACCHO’s policy and advocacy documents such as reports and position papers.
• Provide timely, evidence-based, advice to senior/ management to enable decision-making.
• Support advocacy led by VACCHO’s Executive Directors and staff within their business units.
• Support strategic planning, policy development and implementation for VACCHO
• Assist VACCHO leaders to build relations with the Victorian Department of Health, Australian Department of Health and other relevant Government bodies to advance the provision of health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Assist VACCHO leaders to build relations with Members of Victoria’s Elected Representatives in order to gain their support for VACCHO’s policy work.

Knowledge and Experience

• Basic knowledge of the health sector and policy in Victoria
• An ability to comprehend and analyse laws, policy and research to inform VACCHO’s advocacy and campaigns.
• Basic written communication skills and experience preparing briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs while ensuring appropriate style and formats are used.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and as an effective team member
• Basic analytical and research skills with an aptitude for problem solving.
• Ability to understand issues and pressures to which the organisation has to respond and ability to understand the reasons behind the organisational climate and culture.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience using Microsoft applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Project Management) combined with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply as your cultural and lived experiences are central to the work we do.
• Experience working in campaigning and advocacy
• Basic stakeholder-engagement and relationship-building skills
• Tertiary qualification in public health, policy or another relevant field

Highly Regarded

• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and commitment to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and health.
• Demonstrated understanding of the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Control.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal peoples, Communities, and organisations, in a culturally safe, and appropriate, manner.
• Demonstrated understanding of LGBTQIASB+ issues and experience with LGBTQIASB+ people via professional engagement, employment or lived experience.

Personal Attributes

• Basic interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and always remain impartial.
• Self-motivated with some ability to work independently, and as an effective team member, promoting cooperation and commitment to achieve goals.
• A flexible approach, with strong organisational and planning skills, including the ability to effectively manage time and workload, prioritise tasks, and meet changing circumstances, competing demands, interruptions, and deadlines.
• Personal alignment with VACCHO’s Values (see below)

Key selection criteria specific to the role

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience relevant to this role as described above.

Get in touch

For more information regarding this role including requesting the full position description, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Policy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Other employment related information

Employment is subject to satisfactory and ongoing police records check (international where relevant) and Working with Children Check.

About Us

We are a centre of expertise, policy advice, training, innovation and leadership in Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

Visit us here for more info:https://www.vaccho.org.au/

VACCHO is committed to welcoming and embracing the diversity of cultures, identities, gender, sex, and sexually diverse identities and expressions, experiences, beliefs, and values of all people.

We believe in the right for all people to be treated with the respect and dignity at all times, and that all people who work for, govern or undertake work at or visit us should at all times feel safe and included.

About Salary Packaging

As a Public Benevolent Institute (PBI), we are able to offer generous tax concessions to our staff. For further information, please click here.

A position description is attached.