Senior Policy Advisor

We are seeking an experienced Senior Policy Adviser to develop and deliver sound technical advice on domestic social policy issues, and lead the coordination of CRC treaty reporting and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships.

To be successful in this role, you will have a solid understanding of child rights issues in order to develop quality policy outputs and to create and maintain effective relationships with partners, external policy experts and Government. Our Senior Policy Adviser will participate in our organisation’s direct lobbying to negotiate with and influence key stakeholders in the Australian community to achieve policy and practice change.

Key Responsibilities

Policy & Advocacy
• Overall management of the social policy portfolio with lead responsibility for coordinating Convention on the Rights of the Child treaty reporting and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships
• Coordinate the National Child Rights Taskforce in partnership with the National Children and Youth Law Centre
• Initiate and drive the development of policy ideas and proposals for the organisation in consultation with, the Director of Policy and Advocacy
• Produce high quality technical advice and policy outputs (policy briefs, reports, letters, submissions, and other) targeting the Australian Government or other stakeholders as necessary to contribute to achieving positive change for children

Representation and stakeholder engagement
• Engage effectively with children and young people as key stakeholders for UNICEF Australia
• Participate in working groups and at appropriate forums to advance the organisation’s policy and advocacy work
• Participate in and contribute to relevant UNICEF advocacy forums as required and report back as necessary to UA staff
• Cultivate relationships with key advocacy targets (government and non-government)

Team
• Contribute to developing the strategic direction of the Policy and Advocacy team
• Supervising policy officers, interns and volunteers when necessary
• Contribute to a positive and committed atmosphere in the team, encouraging constructive behaviour and collaboration between team members
 

Selection Criteria

Please submit a short response, no more than half a page against each of the below selection criteria:

1. Minimum of five years professional experience in a human rights or social policy (preferably with a focus on children’s or youth policy or human rights)
2. Degree in politics, social policy, development studies, (international) law or a related field and preferably a relevant Masters level qualification
3. Demonstrated experience in developing quality policy advice and engaging within the Australian political system, including departmental and political levels.
4. Applied knowledge of relevant human rights instruments
5. Demonstrated experience of developing effectively using advocacy strategies to influence Duty bearers at various stages of the policy cycle
6. Demonstrated experience working effectively in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
7. Excellent policy analysis skills, including demonstrated ability to analyse complex policy issues and adapt to provide policy advice for a variety of audiences
8. Sound political judgement and the ability to navigate politics and identify key players and make sound judgments about influencing strategies to achieve outcomes
9. Demonstrated understanding of advocacy and how to identify and capitalise upon key influencing opportunities
10. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in intercultural environments

This is a full time 12 month maximum term contract position. The role requires occasional work outside 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.

To be eligible for employment with UNICEF Australia you must be legally entitled to work in Australia and have satisfactory background checks prior to employment, such as mandatory police check and working with children check where appropriate.