National Policy & Government Relations Advisor

An experienced communicator, you are skilled in policy formulation, with a firm grasp of public
sector drivers and processes. You are pragmatic, outcomes focused, able to convey messages
simply and succinctly to diverse audiences and have delivered results in federated or sector
organisations.

Your superior abilities in relationship building have been developed in an environment of client
and stakeholder engagement.

• National (based at Guide Dogs NSW / ACT (Chatswood), Guide Dogs VIC (Kew) or Guide Dogs Brisbane (Bald Hills)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The purpose of this role is to: 

•  Help shape policy across Guide Dogs member organisations, the sector and government, which drives better outcomes for people who are blind or vision impaired, and 
• Educate communities on areas of need and successes, in ways that showcase the Guide Dogs brand. 

Key areas of focus are: 

• Facilitating aligned social policy and service provision across Guide Dogs organisations 
• Shaping GDA’s policy input and co-ordinating engagement with/to Federal Government and related entities N.B. NDIA 
•  Influencing and working closely with the sector – co-ordinating GDA’s engagement, relationships and advice with peak bodies
• Helping Guide Dog member organisations, their people, partners and communities better understand areas for change and improved accessibility, nationally– in agreed areas (e.g. inaccessible systems, processes and infrastructure) – and showcasing Guide Dogs leadership and successes 

Knowledge and experience required to be successful in the role: 

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience and skills in policy analysis and development.
•  Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills – able to act as an advocate for the organisation
•  A good understanding of government decision and policy making processes
•  Demonstrated ability to develop and implement relationship account management with industry bodies, government, bureaucracies and agencies – on behalf of self and the organisation. 

• Demonstrated experience in developing and briefing in communications for multiple channels (e.g. media)

• Superior collaboration, influencing, negotiating and interpersonal skills

•  Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Superior organisation skills to manage projects and workload effectively.

• Good Microsoft Office skills.