Program Officer

Title: Program Officer

Employer: Australian Futures Project

Location: Sydney

Role: The non-profit Australian Futures Project (AFP) is seeking a Program Officer to join our growing team. You will assist in the planning and administration of our two social enterprises, which are educational innovation and leadership programs for parliamentarians (Parliamentary Leaders Program) and public servants (21st Century Service). The Parliamentary Leaders Program is in its third year and has been delivered to three cohorts of federal and state parliamentarians. In 2017-18, we are expanding to all states and territories and developing a strong alumni program. The 21st Century Service program is in its second year and has been delivered to over 1000 public servants across more than 15 federal government departments as of July 2017. In 2017-18, we are developing new versions of the course and expanding to all states and territories.

The Program Officer will work closely with the Program Manager to administer and operationalise the running of both programs and, in some cases, will be involved in the delivery of the programs and their accompanying events.

These social enterprises are in a period of growth and this role is an invaluable opportunity for a highly-organised individual with an interest in the development of programs designed to build the capacity of leaders to address complex opportunities and challenges facing Australian society.

This is a 12-month full-time contract with possibility of extension. A three-month probation period applies.

WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN FUTURES PROJECT?

At Australian Futures Project, we stimulate and support leaders, experts, and the community to identify, test and build initiatives to create the Australia we want tomorrow, today. Our unique approach has a proven track record in addressing complex challenges. By working with government, businesses, media, experts, and the public, we’re delivering on our mission to improve how Australia creates its future.

We focus on:
Improving understanding of key challenges and opportunities facing Australia
Increasing quality of discussion towards Australians’ desired future
Increasing quality of action towards Australians’ desired future.

Examples of our impact include: the 21st Century Service course, the Parliamentary Leaders Program, My Big Idea – a national conversation engaging 15 million Australians on the future of the country, a national program on early childhood development, and two state-wide programs on the future of agriculture.

The Australian Futures Project is a tax-exempt, non-profit company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity with the ACNC. For more information, please visit australianfutures.org.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility
Provide administrative and operational support for the delivery of the 21st Century Service course and the Parliamentary Leaders Program

Detail/Measures
• Support the Programs Manager in the planning, preparation, operations and delivery of the programs
• Coordinate the administration around the programs
• Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders as required
• Assist in the evaluation of the programs

Responsibility
Support Program Manager team and contribute to communications

Detail/Measures
• Provide administrative and operational support to the Program Manager and other team members on a variety of projects
• Contribute to communication material and correspondence as required

Responsibility
Contribute to other organisational activities

Detail/Measures
• As required, support other organisational projects and activities to ensure high impact including: community engagement, community building, capability building, research and analysis

REPORTING

Reports to: Program Manager
Direct reports: None

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

We’re a nimble, hard-working team that loves big-picture thinkers. We punch above our weight, celebrate success, and know how to have fun. We run a flat hierarchy and encourage all team members to take initiative and contribute to the direction of the organisation. We work collaboratively with many organisations around Australia in government, business, academia, the community, and the media. We share a modern co-working space with other dynamic non-profits in the heart of Sydney. We offer flexible working arrangements with options to work part time and / or from home for a portion of the week. Interstate travel will be required on average once every two months. We encourage and will support your professional development.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Interest in the field of leadership development, capacity building for innovation, and improving Australia’s decision-making capability
• Initiative, self-direction, and high levels of motivation with excellent time management and prioritisation skills
• Experience in administration and/or customer service roles
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Good stakeholder management skills
• Ability to collaborate and works well in teams
• Well-developed communication skills, both written and verbal – including public speaking
• Experience in communicating with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Willingness to acquire additional technical knowledge and skills
• Ability to adhere to appropriate values and ethical standards in all the AFP business
• Relevant tertiary qualification
• Willing to travel domestically
• Minimum two years’ work experience
• Legal right to work in Australia

Desirable

• Experience in event management for events attended by senior executives and/or politicians
• Experience working for government or parliamentarian’s offices
• Experience working on education or training programs
• Experience working on innovation, social enterprise, and/or start-up space
• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector

REMUNERATION
Salary package $60,000-$70,000 pa including superannuation commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience of the successful candidate. Full-time, 12-month contract with possible extension. Three-month probation period.