Policy Officer – Closing The Gap

• Full time, 12-month fixed-term position with the possibility of extension
• Brisbane based
• Salary range starting at $95,000 + superannuation + salary sacrifice options
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply.

About us

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) is the peak body representing, advocating, and supporting Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child protection and family support sector.

By sharing our collective knowledge and experience, we can all make a positive impact on policies and practices to stop the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland’s child protection and youth justice systems.

About the role

The Policy Officer, Closing the Gap provides high level, strategic policy advice, coordination and secretariat support to support QATSICPP’s approach to ensuring Queensland is on track to achieve the Close the Gap targets and implementation of Close the Gap priority reforms.

An integral function of this role is to support the QATSICPP senior leadership and CEO’s participation in partnership approaches with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peaks and government partners, legislation, policy and program initiatives that will improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

This work will include:

• Developing and implementing systems to ensure senior QATSICPP leadership’s participation in Close the Gap processes is coordinated and well informed.
• Supporting senior QATSICPP leadership to contribute views to the ongoing National Close the Gap Agreement processes at a state and national level through the development of advice, including briefs and reports.
• Exploring links and opportunities for broader and intersecting policy and advocacy initiatives with Commonwealth and State Governments.

Typical Duties and responsibilities:

• Support senior QATSICPP leadership in the development of integrated policy analysis, policy, submissions, and communications such as publications and presentations.
• Provide coordination and secretariat support to assist QATSICPP senior leadership participate in the implementation and monitoring of the National Close the Gap agreement.
• Actively engage and build strong and trusting relationships internally and externally with a broad range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, government, academic, and other stakeholders to support meaningful action and reform that supports positive progress towards the Close the Gap targets the Close the Gap Priority reforms.
• Identify fiscal, legislative and policy levers to shape up and pursue opportunities for broad system change.
• Other duties as requested by QATSICPP Director and/or Executive.

Desired skills, experience, and capabilities:

• Highly developed analytical skills and a proven ability to draw out public policy implications from evidence-based research in child protection, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and related sectors.
• Ability to develop and implement effective information sharing approaches in a policy development or advocacy context.
• Demonstrated experience working with complex material to identify key issues and develop innovative and creative solutions in a culturally respectful and responsive manner.
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled services in child protection, early childhood, and/or youth justice sectors.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication and presentation skills as well as the ability to confidently communicate with people at all levels in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple organisational and stakeholder contexts.

Mandatory requirements:

• To perform this role, it is essential that the person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Antidiscrimination Act 1991 (QLD).
• A current valid Queensland Working with Children’s Card (Blue Card) or eligibility to apply.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and/or significant experience in complex policy environments.

Why join us?

Our vision is a future where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are physically, emotionally, and spiritually strong, live in a safe, caring and nurturing environment within their own families and communities, and are afforded the same life opportunities available to other children and young people to fully realise their potential.

This is what our team members say about working at QATSICPP:

• “The QATSICPP team are an amazing group of diverse, talented, and passionate individuals. Our work in the community-controlled sector of family-led decision-making has given me a sense of pride and achievement in my role. I have truly gained a sense of belonging in this team, and I am excited to see where my journey at QATSICPP will take me.” Olivia, Project Officer
• “I enjoy working in such a caring, respectful workplace, where our diversity is our strength, and you can learn from some truly amazing people doing some vital work.” Lucas, Manager Policy and Advocacy
• “Joining the QATSICPP team has been one of the best career moves I have made. I love the opportunities to reinvest creative skills I acquired in years of volunteer work into our projects.” Paula, Communication and Events Co-ordinator

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,900 for general expenses plus additional salary packaging of $2,650 for entertainment expenses
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements and work-from-home options
• Paid continuous professional development
• Gifted leave days for the end of year office shut-down period
• Gym membership contribution

Further Information and Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this role or would like further information, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Policy Officer – Closing The Gap enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note that we reserve the right to appoint to the position before the published closing date. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies, please.

Your application will include:

A cover letter (1 page) demonstrating your key capabilities and experience supported by your current resume. Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide two professional referees.

QATSICPP is an equal opportunity employer that fosters a positive culture and offers a safe and supportive work environment. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.