The Senior Policy Officer will support Yagilaith Djerring to actively participate in advocacy and negotiations in relation to the Skills First Agreement negotiations in Victoria to attract and retain funding through this agreement. In addition, the Senior Policy Officer will support Yagilaith Djerring’s broader advocacy priorities regarding system reform, VACCHO’s engagement with Marrung along with similar activities.

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:

• Develop/expand relationships at a jurisdictional level with relevant sector stakeholders, departments and mainstream services including but not limited to the Victorian Skills Commission and Victorian and Federal Department’s responsible for training and skills portfolios
• Assist VACCHO leaders to build relations with other organisations in the education and training sector in order to gain support for VACCHO’s objectives.
• Assist VACCHO leaders to build relations with the Members of Parliament to advance the provision of training services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Support advocacy led by VACCHO’s Executive Directors and staff within their business units.
• Support strategic planning, policy development and policy campaign implementation for VACCHO.
• Assist in the production of VACCHO’s policy documents such as reports and position papers.
• Develop submissions, briefs and responses to Government processes including Parliamentary or Government enquiries.
• 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.
• Provide timely, evidence based, strategic advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative solutions to complex and sensitive issues based on comprehensive research to senior management and other key stakeholders to enable decision-making.

Knowledge and Experience

• Deep and wide understanding of the policy environment leading to the National Skills Agreement and the Victorian processes for consultation and negotiation.
• Knowledge of training and skills sector and policy in Victoria
• Good stakeholder-engagement and relationship-building skills
• Excellent written communication skills and demonstrated experience preparing complex 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.
• 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.
• At least two years’ experience in a relevant/ similar role

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.

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

• Demonstrated capacity to manage sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and always remain impartial.
• Personal alignment with VACCHO’s Values (see below)

Key selection criteria specific to the role

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels.
• Self-motivated and demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, 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.
  • Develop/expand relationships at a jurisdictional level with relevant sector stakeholders, departments and mainstream services including but not limited to the Victorian skills commission and training Department
  • Develop position papers, submissions, agenda’s and action items for meetings with key stakeholders.

Get in touch

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

A position description is attached.

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.