Advocacy Officer

Playing an important role in the provision of high quality advice, the Advocacy Officer will work collaboratively with the General Manager and team members to improve the lives of persons with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy in Australia and help secure a cure through policy and advocacy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Monitoring, Research and analysis

• Identify and prioritise key policy issues and advocacy opportunities for Save Our Sons to proactively influence health planning, policy, systems and delivery of care
• Advise and work with the General Manager and team to develop policy and advocacy strategies and initiatives to achieve objectives
• Produce written and oral policy briefs, including recommendations, for the General Manager and Board, based on review and analysis of complex information, community and stakeholder consultation and other information sources
• Summarise and present complex information, achieve consensus of views and draft influential responses to consultations, inquiries, and other correspondence of note to government and other key stakeholders
• Prepare pre-budget and pre-election submissions, fact sheets, reports and other policy documents
• Monitor, review and evaluate implementation of policy and advocacy and the impact of Save Our Sons influence and activity
• Ensure that Save Our Sons policy and advocacy initiatives are integrated, strategic, sustainable, and achievable
• Contribute to the development and strengthening of policy and advocacy approaches across the field, including regular forums with policy staff from other like-minded organisations

Information sharing and Communications

• Proactively identify opportunities and provide content for media and digital communication platforms, in liaison with the Save Our Sons Marketing team
• Prepare regular updates on activities for the community, stakeholders, the Board of Directors and other groups as required

Advocacy and Networking

• Work with and assist the General Manager to develop and strengthen relationships with Ministers of the Crown, key Federal and State Government bureaucrats and other key stakeholders, including scheduling of meetings, development of agendas and briefing papers, and undertaking agreed actions and follow up
• Work with the General Manager and relevant stakeholders and agencies to develop and deliver joint policy and project activities where opportunities exist
• Attend external meetings and forums with the General Manager or other office holders and represent Save Our Sons as required
• Develop and maintain networks of relevant policy advisors and policy makers relevant to health and the field

Administration and Other Duties

• Work collaboratively and proactively with the General Manager and team to support the broader activities of Save Our Sons
• Other duties as may be required by the General Manager and the Board
• File and Database Management

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary and post-graduate qualifications in an appropriate health, social science, political science, business/legal or other relevant discipline

Experience       

Essential

• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in policy development, design and implementation of advocacy strategies, with specific expertise in health and/or social arenas
• At least 3 years experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Boards, stakeholder groups, and community members to support the strategic prioritisation, planning, delivery, and evaluation of policy and advocacy objectives
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to grasp new concepts, absorb and analyse complex information, gain consensus, formulate recommendations and produce timely and succinct correspondence, statements, submissions, briefing papers and reports.
• Able to work flexibly, including working outside standard business hours if required and able to undertake travel where needed at times

Desirable

• Experience in health setting highly regarded, ideally in the neuromuscular field, is desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of the health and disability sector
• Experience in the not for profit/non-government sector.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to use initiative, with capacity to work proactively and independently as well as part of a small team, and as part of a wider geographically dispersed team
• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills, and the ability to establish priorities, manage specific projects and meet deadlines
• A high level typing skills and computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience in database usage.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to establish and build relationships and work collaboratively with, and influence, a range of external stakeholders