Job description
Who We Are
Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is an innovative social impact organisation operating across Australia.
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 think differently, help redesign systems by learning about what works in communities, and work hand-in-hand with passionate partners to take real action and achieve positive social change.
The Policy & Advocacy Team
The Policy & Advocacy (P&A) team is part of SVA’s Social Impact Initiatives group, supporting the organisation to achieve its mission by using evidence and insights to advocate for system-level policy change to reduce disadvantage. Specifically, the team 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 issues affecting children experiencing vulnerabilities, people with disability and First Nations peoples.
The team also helps drives SVA’s systems change agenda by taking our perspectives and using them to influence government policy and sector practice to work towards a future free of disadvantage.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Director, Policy & Advocacy, the Associate Director, Government Relations leads the development and implementation of SVA’s government relations strategy, helping to build SVA’s profile and reputation as a leading social impact organisation and trusted partner to Government.
They play a key role in developing SVA’s advocacy positions in the national debate, including by fostering relationships with decision makers and stakeholders across multiple social policy areas as relevant to SVA’s projects and organisational priorities.
They also work towards strengthening the government relations literacy of their team and the wider organisation.
Your Benefits
- Work in a business with a track record of driving meaningful social change including being awarded Best CSR Innovation by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) in 2023
- 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
- Work in a team that offers flexibility and a hybrid work model that is specific to you and recognises that work is only one of our priorities.
- Join a business which prioritises personal wellbeing and development, including an additional week’s leave after working with SVA for two continuous years.
Who You Are
You bring proven experience in policy, advocacy or campaign development, with experience working with or in support of people experiencing disadvantage an advantage.
Your deep knowledge of Australia’s policy settings, including the levers employed by Government to develop and implement economic and social policy, means you understand how to work most effectively to drive policy and practice change.
Your ability to build and enhance a range of sustainable relationships with stakeholders and operate in diverse cultural settings is also key to your success.
Last but not least, you are a creative problem solver that loves to work with others to think through and come up with solutions to complex problems.
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.
Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting [email protected] using the subject line: Associate Director, Government Relations enquiry via EthicalJobs. There is scope to customise the job role to accommodate people with different abilities.
If you have the experience and skills 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.
Please note we will consider and progress applications as they are received and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.