Law Reform and Advocacy Officer

Reporting directly to the Executive Officer, the Law Reform and Advocacy Officer is a national role contributing at a high level to knowmore’s strategic objectives of facilitating access to justice for victims and survivors of child abuse and working with survivors and their supporters to stop child abuse.

Through its work with survivors and knowledge of and experience within the legal system, knowmore identifies opportunities to improve laws, policies and processes, and institutional and community cultures. knowmore is an authoritative and independent voice. We make the case for change based on what survivors say they need.

Working in an integrated way to leverage expertise and information across knowmore’s multidisciplinary service teams, the Law Reform and Advocacy Officer will identify relevant advocacy and law reform issues and opportunities across Australia, assisting knowmore to formulate submissions, proposals and recommendations for reform that benefit survivors of child abuse, including around the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse; the implementation and operation of the National Redress Scheme; and other pathways for justice for survivors.

The Law Reform and Advocacy Officer will engage and partner with the broader CLC sector and other partners, such as services supporting survivors, to progress common objectives and drive change. The role will also pro-actively work with knowmore’s Communications Manager and other senior internal staff to develop effective plans to advance knowmore’s aims in addressing and preventing child abuse and raising public awareness of issues impacting our clients.

Location

This position can be based in either Sydney or Brisbane. The role will involve intrastate travel to knowmore offices and to meet with stakeholders and attend events.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated ability at a high level in policy analysis, development and implementation, including the capacity to identify strategic opportunities and develop ideas, plans and responses.
• A sound understanding of how legal and policy frameworks impact on knowmore’s client group and their legal and support needs.
• The capacity to quickly develop a sound understanding of specific legal issues and relevant legislation across different areas of the law and multiple jurisdictions.
• Proven research and analysis skills and the ability to apply the outcomes in the development of practical solutions and recommendations.
• High level written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and authoritative written submissions and reports.
• High level oral communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to build and maintain effective and collaborative working internal and external relationships to deliver project outcomes, and the capacity to represent knowmore in a range of forums.
• Highly organised and able to work independently and balance competing priorities.
• Understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and how those issues impact these peoples in engaging with legal processes and receiving services.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice.

Benefits

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.  In addition to being a flexible workplace, knowmore offers 10% superannuation (0.5%above the SGC), a 37.5 -hour working week and 4 weeks annual leave, including annual leave loading.