Senior Policy Officer

Want to make a real difference to the world of women’s health?

We’re Marie Stopes Australia, the leading national not-for-profit provider of sexual and reproductive health, and we’re looking for a Senior Policy Officer to join our Melbourne team.

You’re someone who is passionate about policy and really cares about making a difference in the world. Sexual and reproductive health is still highly stigmatised yet it is an area in which your work can have a big, positive impact.

Maybe you have a background in politics, but you’re looking to move into the not-for-profit sector, or perhaps you’ve been working as a social worker but want to see change on a community-wide level? Regardless, we’d love to hear from you!

What we want you to do:

• Research and analyse existing policy in the sexual and reproductive health and associated psycho-social fields
• Develop policy recommendations that are clear, targeted and evidence-based
• Work alongside the Director of Public Affairs, CEO and other members of the Executive team to develop and implement advocacy campaigns to provide access and equity of sexual and reproductive health services
• Develop policy documents and associated materials including White Papers and political, stakeholder and media briefings
• Manage a broad range of stakeholders including consumer advocates, healthcare professionals, academics, media, political offices and government departments

What we need:

• Minimum five years working effectively in the area of political advocacy
• Experience in researching and developing policy in a complex (preferably health) environment
• Highly developed political judgement and a strong grasp of the Australian policy environment (preferably health environment)
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A strong commitment to sexual and reproductive health including being pro-choice

What we’d like to see (but aren’t essential):

• Experience with health policy reform, particularly sexual and reproductive health/and or women’s health
• Experience in policy response development for the family violence, sexual violence and intimate partner violence
• Trained in trauma-informed techniques
• Experience working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• An understanding of the Australian media environment

What we’re offering:

• Fixed Term, Full Time 12 months
• This is an opportunity to work in an environment where you will be directly involved in creating and lobbying for policy reforms that will make a difference to the lives of many Australians, particularly women.
• Salary will be based on experience
• Negotiable for the right candidate
• Generous salary packaging (considerably reducing your tax)
• Central location