Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organization, proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and a global movement dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. The organization focuses on providing quality services to children and their caregivers across every state and territory, including remote areas and capital cities. With a workforce of approximately 600 employees, 54 reasons emphasizes a diverse and inclusive culture, reflecting the communities they serve and aiming to make a significant impact on child rights.

Job Overview:
The Policy and advisor" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Advocacy Advisor position is a full-time, max term role for two years, situated within the Strategy and Partnerships team in Melbourne. The role is hybrid or remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The primary focus of this position is to drive systemic change for children and young people by analyzing and shaping policy positions, advising leadership, and developing compelling advocacy submissions and campaigns. The advisor will be responsible for analyzing policy and budget developments, providing strategic advice to senior leaders, drafting high-quality briefings and submissions, and representing 54 reasons in sector collaborations. The role requires an outstanding communicator with expertise in driving social change through impactful policy and advocacy strategies, and a strong ability to tackle complex policy challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Policy and Advocacy Advisor include:

• Analyzing policy and budget developments and data to shape policy and advocacy positions.
• Providing strategic advice to senior leaders on government opportunities and risks.
• Drafting high-quality briefings, submissions, research summaries, and correspondence.
• Representing 54 reasons in sector collaborations and working with partners on joint advocacy efforts.
• Collaborating closely with Save the Children’s strategic communications branch to support Group-wide brand, government engagement, and media objectives.
• Engaging with government and sector stakeholders to develop informed positions and drive high-quality outputs.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires demonstrated experience in social policy, ideally focused on children and young people in Australia. Candidates should possess strong research and policy analysis skills, with the ability to quickly analyze and synthesize complex information from various sources. Excellent written communication skills are essential, including the ability to tailor messages across different audiences and products. A demonstrated understanding of government relations, including legislative, policy, and budget development processes, is also required. Additionally, experience in partnership development and/or relationship management is necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Policy and Advocacy Advisor position should have a relevant educational background, typically including a degree in social policy, public policy, international relations, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in child rights or advocacy may be advantageous, but not mandatory.

Experience:
The role requires a significant level of experience in social policy, particularly in areas related to children and young people. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in policy analysis, advocacy, or related fields, ideally within the non-profit or public sectors. Experience in developing and implementing advocacy strategies, as well as engaging with government stakeholders, is highly valued.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly in relation to engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a maximum term of two years. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates. The application process is designed to be straightforward and accessible for all. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check, and must adhere to the Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. The organization offers flexible working arrangements, individual learning plans for career development, and a range of employee benefits, including full salary packaging benefits and support for workplace wellness.