Manager – Policy, Advocacy and Projects

Job description

• Hours of work: The position is offered as a full-time (38 hours per week) 12-month parental leave position.
• Location: This position is based at the Fitzroy and Reservoir offices, with work from home flexibility. The role may involve travel to other offices and offsite as required.
• This position is classified at Level 7 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Fitzroy Legal Service is dedicated to assisting the most marginalised members of the community with legal information, advice and representation, as well as championing law reform and conducting public interest litigation.

Fitzroy Legal Service provides legal services for communities who are disproportionately impacted by law and policy, and those who face systemic barriers to accessing justice. We provide services for incarcerated peoples, and various multidisciplinary outreach programs reaching communities of colour, homeless people, LGBTIQ+ communities, and people who use drugs.   

Our Vision: A fairer Victorian community, where the legal and social systems support equality and justice for all.

Further information about FLS can be found on our website: www.fls.org.au

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Manager Policy, Advocacy and Project is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing Fitzroy Legal Service’s systemic advocacy, law reform, community legal education and project activities.

The position provides leadership and management to the Social Action and Public Interest Law team (SAPIL team), in close collaboration with the Managing Lawyer, Strategic Litigation. The Manager Policy, Advocacy and Project holds individual responsibility for the day-to-day management, supervision and support of staff as outlined in the attached position description.

The Manager Policy, Advocacy and Projects provides leadership to the whole organisation as a part of the FLS Management Team, and contributes to the successful achievement of the FLS Strategic Plan, and fulfilment of our key reporting obligations, including to Victoria Legal Aid, and project funders.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications and Experience:

• Completion of a law degree.
• At least three years’ experience in a relevant role e.g. social policy, community driven advocacy, management, project management.

Essential:

• Strong commitment to social justice, and to the values of FLS.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage people and foster a positive, productive and engaged team.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and develop responses to policy and law reform issues, including through campaigns, submissions, lobbying, networking and participation in consultation processes.
• High level written and verbal and communication skills with a variety of stakeholders, including the ability to inspire and engage others, in addition to negotiation and influencing skills.
• Commitment and capacity to working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and evaluate projects on time and within budget.

Desirable:

• Eligibility to become an Australian Legal Practitioner.
• Demonstrated experience in leading or supporting codesign activities and or working with people with lived experience of discrimination and stigma.
• Previous experience of effective engagement with media, and in organisational communications including social media.

Fitzroy Legal Service is an inclusive employer and complies with the laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, family responsibilities, irrelevant criminal record and other protected attributes. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from members of diverse communities and people with relevant lived experience.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit or visa.

The successful candidate must undergo a National Police Check.

NOTE: Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude employment with FLS, but if needed, we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate, FLS will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.

For further information, contact Gayathri Paramasivam, Legal Director, via [email protected] using the subject line: Manager – Policy, Advocacy and Projects enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.