Systemic Advocacy and Projects Officer

• Part time 0.6 FTE
• Salary: $99,334 + superannuation (pro rata)
• Fitzroy, Melbourne

ABOUT FLS

Fitzroy Legal Service (FLS) 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 various multidisciplinary outreach programs reaching communities of colour, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, LGBTIQA+ 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: fls.org.au.

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will make a difference by:

• Developing policy positions, undertaking research and preparing briefs, reports and other materials to support policy and advocacy activities.
• Working with FLS lawyers and their clients to document and share client stories through the preparation of case studies and other materials.
• Engaging with affected communities to ensure FLS’s advocacy work is informed by the voices of those who are impacted.
• Supporting lobbying efforts involving government, decision-makers and legal services to implement legislative and policy reform.
• Identifying, establishing and developing relationships and partners to support and inform FLS advocacy work.
• Assisting in drafting public communications including media releases, social media and website content.
• Participating in strategic projects that further FLS’s advocacy goals or engage affected communities in our work

See attached position description for more information.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in the role you will ideally have:

• Strong commitment to social justice, decarceration, and the leadership of affected communities.
• Experience, training or qualifications in advocacy, campaigning, law reform, policy, community organising, or research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex policy or social issues in plain language to many audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including members of the community who experience intersectional disadvantage.
• Well-developed, proactive and creative problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop appropriate solutions and recommendations for action.
• Knowledge of the needs and experiences of the LGBQTIA+ community, either through lived experience or experience working with the community.
• Ability to work independently but also in a team.

If you meet some, but not all, of the above, we encourage your application. We appreciate that people obtain skills and experience in a range of ways, and value people’s curiosity and openness to learning.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• 5 weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading plus paid leave over the Christmas shutdown period.
• Above-award salary and the ability to increase your take-home pay by accessing salary packaging benefits (use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you).
• A range of leave options, including 16 weeks parental leave for primary carers, gender affirmation leave, cultural and ceremonial leave, the ability to swap public holidays as well as purchase additional leave.

For more information about this position, please contact Amity Mara (Manager, Policy, Advocacy, and Projects) at [email protected].

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.