• Full-time, permanent role 
• Level 6 - SCHADS award. Pay Point depending on experience 
• Salary Packaging options available
• Currently located in Prahran

Position overview

This position is responsible for the support and development of VMIAC’s policy and systemic advocacy work. The principle objective of this role is to work as part of a small team and across teams to:

• Write policy and conduct sophisticated policy analysis - producing papers, reports and submissions
• Provide high quality policy advice to Government, and the mental health and human services sector
• Prepare campaign and influencing strategies to support the systemic advocacy of VMIAC
• Embed knowledge of policy positions and advocacy strategies across VMIAC including mentoring and training relevant staff
• Support stakeholder and partner relationships.
• Communicate VMIAC policy positions as a representative at external events and meetings.
• Undertake consultations and focus groups with consumers and other stakeholders on policy issues.
• provide support to projects as required.

This Is a Lived Experience, Consumer Position

Applicants must be people with lived experience of mental health challenges, trauma or emotional distress and/or who have accessed mental health or other related services specifically to support their mental well-being.

Applicants must consider themselves to be work ready; be capable of reflecting on how their own lived experience interacts with that of others; and be able to contribute to the development and implementation of collaborative ways of working.

Specific Responsibilities

• Undertake policy writing and analysis - producing papers, reports, submissions within tight timelines and provide high quality policy advice to Government, and the mental health and human services sector.
• Preparation of campaign and influencing strategies to support the systemic advocacy of VMIAC
• Embedding knowledge of policy positions and advocacy strategies across VMIAC including mentoring and training relevant staff and providing necessary briefing to the CoM and HRSARS sub-committee
• Advise the Director and CEO on issues and opportunities arising in the policy and reform landscape that are relevant to the Strategic Plan.
• Advise the Director and CEO on policy issues and brief them as requested.
• In collaboration with communications teams, devise and deploy systems for media monitoring on issues relevant to VMIAC.
• Respond (via media statements, policy positions and other formats) within tight timelines to rapidly evolving public issues relevant to VMIAC.
• Develop a workplan and implement it.

Key Selection Criteria (to be addressed in application)

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in systemic advocacy and campaigns and knowledge of advocacy theory and practice
• Understanding of mental health sector and reform in Victoria and of NDIS reform
• Knowledge of consumer perspective and human rights approaches to advocacy
• Strong mentoring skills
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to design and run consultations with consumers in respect to policy positions
• Strong communication, professional writing and representational skills - ability to share messages and ideas with diverse audience

Additional professional / personal attributes:

• Demonstrated ability to self-manage work priorities and to deliver quality work to agreed schedules
• Interest in contributing to VMIAC’s organisation learning on contemporary approaches to systemic advocacy

Remuneration and benefits

In return for your passion for mental health reform, lived experience expertise, and significant contribution you will have access to unique professional development opportunities and receive an attractive salary package which includes:

• SCHADS Base Salary Level 6 banding ($53.84 /hour - $56.22 /hour) + Super (11.5%)
• Four weeks annual leave + Gifted leave between Christmas and New Year
• 90mins per month of wellbeing leave
• Generous Annual Professional Development Allowance
• Salary packaging an additional $15,900 per annum + $2,500 Meals and Entertainment per annum
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• From Jan 2025: Newly fitted out office space with access to onsite gym facilities and green space (close to South Melbourne market and public transport)

References and checks, probationary period

• Preferred candidates are required to complete and/or provide Police and Working with Children checks prior to final confirmation and commencement of employment.
• Referees are required and will be contacted for short listed applicants
• This role is subject to a probationary period of six months.

Support and development

VMIAC will provide regular supervision and mentoring to the person in this role. All VMIAC roles include training and development opportunities, which can include the development of leadership and other required skills and attendance at conferences.

For enquiries relating to this position, please contact HR Officer, Melissa Jones [email protected], using the subject line: Policy and Systemic Advocacy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.