Policy & Advocacy Manager

The Role
  
Canteen’s 2026 strategy has identified advocacy as a key strategic goal. Canteen strives to become a leader in national and international arenas to ensure governments and other stakeholders prioritise the needs of young people and their families dealing with issues which heavily impact on their wellbeing.

Over the next five years Canteen will have a well-established policy and advocacy function which will provide opportunities for young people to engage and speak into Canteen’s work; will deliver data-driven advocacy and drive change in the way young people and their families impacted by cancer are cared for in Australia.

As the Policy and Advocacy Manager you will drive the development and implementation of Canteen’s policy and advocacy agenda in relation to achieving optimal health and wellbeing outcomes for young people impacted by cancer and their families. You will ensure Canteen is the leading voice advocating in national and international arenas which will see governments and other stakeholders prioritising the needs of these young people and their families. 

This role will develop key relationships with relevant partners and stakeholders including hospitals, health professionals, youth health services, pharmaceutical companies, government, not for profit organisations and cancer organisations, eg; COSA, Cancer Australia.

Skills Required

Along with a tertiary qualification in fields related to police development and/or health, you’re able to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience and knowledge in policy and advocacy development and delivery, preferably in the cancer and/or health space
• A collaborative and open communication style with strong interpersonal and influencing capabilities and able to promote highly effective and functional internal and external partnerships
• Demonstrate a balance of strategic and operational strengths
• Experience working with other organisations in advocacy initiatives and developing joint policy positions
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders, including consumers, clinicians, government representatives, researchers, pharmaceutical company representatives
• Demonstrate an evidence-based approach to policy and advocacy and ability to transform evidence into policy, advocacy and practice
• Sound knowledge of the Australian political system, Australian health and social policy, and factors influencing policy direction and reform
• Experience in monitoring policy changes and identifying trends and opportunities to influence policy
• Innate ability to advise on policy interpretation and insights into policy direction
• An ability to produce high quality and persuasive written material such as briefing documents, academic papers, submissions, policy statements.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, preferably including demonstrated experience in acting as a media spokesperson