Director Policy and Advocacy

Who we are

SVA is Australia’s most innovative social impact organisation.

We use our broad outlook, transformational thinking, and trusted voice to lead the charge against inequality in Australia. We were created over 20 years ago to find innovative solutions to entrenched social problems and speed up the rate of positive change.

We help institutions think differently, we help redesign systems by learning about what works in communities, and work hand-in-hand with our passionate partners to take real action and drive positive social change.
  
The Policy and Advocacy team

The Policy & Advocacy (P&A) team supports SVA to achieve its mission by improving SVA’s practical knowledge about reducing disadvantage.

P&A plays a pivotal role in understanding the external evidence of what works and codifying the learning from SVA’s work with partners across all areas of social policy including people excluded from education, employment, and housing, as well addressing issues affecting children experiencing vulnerabilities, people with disability and First Nations peoples.

Our Policy and Advocacy work drives SVA’s systems change agenda by taking SVA’s perspectives and using them to influence government policy and sector practice to become more effective and reduce disadvantage. The Director, Policy and Advocacy sits within the Social Impact Initiatives team and reports to the Executive Director, Social Impact Initiatives.
  
The Position

The Director, Policy & Advocacy provides leadership within SVA for the development and delivery of SVA’s policy positions, and advocacy campaigns, working hand in hand with other senior leaders on opportunities for SVA to create greater social impact through changes in policy and the use of advocacy strategies. This includes developing SVA positions in public debates both locally and at a national level and ensuring that these are linked to SVA’s overarching strategy and goals.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy is responsible for ensuring that SVA’s public policy agenda, tactics and related public communication are based on sound evidence and analysis, that they strike at the structural impediments to inclusion not just the symptoms, that they take account the views of stakeholders including those with lived experience and enrich SVA’s reputation and networks. 

As a public facing position, the Director of Policy and Advocacy is also an advocate for SVA by fostering and maintaining high level relationships in Government, philanthropists, and decision makers in business.  Finally, the role is responsible for the overall management of the Policy and Advocacy team including the professional development and wellbeing of all staff as well accountability for respective project deliverables and budgets. 
  
Special requirements

• Some interstate travel may be required as part of this role

Your benefits

• Work in an organisation awarded Best CSR Innovation 2023 by the Australia Financial Review (AFR) Boss
• Be part of the SVA team known for living by our values to put people at the centre and be open and ready to learn
• We don’t believe that “one size fits all” so we offer flexibility and a hybrid work model that is specific to your team and recognises that work is only one of our priorities.
• Join an organisation with a focus on your wellbeing and development with an additional week of leave after working with SVA for two continuous years.

 Who you are

You will bring knowledge, passion, and commitment to working in the social sector and on society’s most important challenges; as well as a sophisticated understanding of the levers employed by Government in developing and implementing social and economic policy.

You will have consolidated experience in leading policy and research development processes as well as delivering significant projects and campaigns to influence government. 

Furthermore, you will have management experience working in a leadership role including providing strategic advice to a Chief Executive Officer or equivalent leaders on the organisation’s positions on key issues, messaging, and strategies for wielding its influence.   

You will be skilled and familiar with working with diverse actors across the social sector and in Government; helping develop and refine SVA’s understanding of current social and economic policy issues and of Government priorities. You will grow SVA’s reputation as a key player influencing policy decisions that strengthen outcomes for Australians experiencing disadvantage.

Last but certainly not least, you will bring proven record of working with Government and the social purpose sector on policy and advocacy nationally; and have demonstrated passion and commitment to working in the social sector and on society’s most important challenges.
  
SVA values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.
   
The position description is available on the SVA website.
https://www.socialventures.com.au/careers/position-descriptions/

We recommend that you review the position description before applying for the role.
  
If you have the experience and knowledge we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 2 pages) and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the person requirements by midnight AEST Sunday 2 June 2024.
  
Please note that we will consider and bring candidates to interview as applications are received and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.