Senior Policy Adviser: Forced migration and international development policy

UNICEF promotes the rights of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

UNICEF Australia works with the Australian Government to strengthen accountability for child rights as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We work to help ensure laws, policies and practices of Australian institutions respect, protect and promote the rights of children at home and abroad.

We are seeking an experienced Policy Adviser to lead our advocacy work to protect and promote the rights of children in two priority thematic areas: i) refugee and asylum seeking children and families who are seeking Australia’s protection; and ii) Australia’s international development policy and its Official Development Assistance program.

Key responsibilities

Policy and Advocacy

• Initiate and drive the development of policy ideas and proposals in our two core areas of:
  • (I)   Children on the Move, specifically refugee and asylum seeking children, and
  • (II) child rights, international development policy and Australia’s Official Development Assistance program.
• Provide strategic, and evidence based policy advice on issues relating to the portfolio
• Guide UNICEF Australia’s influencing strategy in an ongoing way to ensure it is adjusting appropriately to emerging developments
• Design and manage policy, advocacy and research projects and initiatives
• Produce high quality policy and advocacy products (policy briefs, reports, letters, submissions, and other) targeting the Australian Government

Relationship management and stakeholder engagement

• Cultivate relationships with key advocacy targets (government and non-government)
• Demonstrate insight into influencing targets necessary to tailor messages and policy advice to persuade decision makers to adopt policy and practice • Coordinate sector-wide actions/activities as required
• Represent UA as agreed in advocacy activities such as lobbying, interagency and meetings, inquiries, conferences and other
• Provide strategic input and advice to, and lead where required, relevant peak body working groups in order to enhance the impact and effectiveness of the Australian INGO sector’s child rights policy and advocacy efforts
• Participate in working groups and at appropriate forums • Act as a spokesperson on identified portfolio areas as required

Team

• Contribute to developing the strategic direction of the Policy and Advocacy team, working with the Chief Technical Adviser and Director of Policy and Advocacy.

Selection Criteria

1. Minimum of five years professional experience in a human rights based, or social policy organisation (preferably an International Organisation or International Non-Government Organisation)
2. Applied knowledge in the fields of
i) forced or irregular migration, displacement, or refugee policy and/or
ii) international development and/or humanitarian policy
3. Excellent policy analysis skills, including demonstrated ability to analyse complex policy issues and adapt to provide relevant and feasible policy advice for a variety of audiences
4. Demonstrated experience working with Governments and other stakeholders to influence policy and practice in accordance with human rights standards
5. Demonstrated experience working effectively in partnership with civil society organisations
6. Sound political judgement and the ability to navigate politics and identify key players and make sound judgments about influencing strategies to achieve outcomes
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to adapt writing style for a range of audiences and products including government
8. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team with minimal supervision and high levels of independence
9. Degree in politics, social policy, development studies, (international) law or a related field.

This is a 12 month fixed term contract position, based in Sydney and requires occasional work out of regular hours.

A competitive salary commensurate with the not for profit sector is offered together with the availability of salary packaging to achieve a tax effective total salary package commensurate with experience.