Senior Policy Officer

About the role

Consumer Action is one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit consumer advocacy organisations, that makes life easier for people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.

The Senior Policy Officer, as a member of the Policy and Campaigns team will provide policy analysis, research and strategic advice to further Consumer Action’s vision of a just marketplace, where people have power and business plays fair. The Senior Policy Officer will lead 2-4 campaigns per annum, with the support of the Policy and Campaigns team, Director of Policy and Campaigns and the CEO.  This position also works closely with other team members, financial counsellors and lawyers within the organisation. Externally, this position represents Consumer Action in collaboration with other consumer advocacy organizations, community legal centres and financial counselling services with an interest in consumer advocacy matters.

This role is offered on a fixed-term 12 month contract and is a full-time role. Read the full position description.

Specifically, the senior policy officer role will:

• Lead 2-4 campaigns per annum, with the support of the Policy and Campaigns team, Director of Policy and Campaigns and the CEO.
• Develop policy positions, undertake policy research and prepare briefs, reports, articles, fact sheets and other materials on the policy and campaign priorities in the Annual Plan.
• Support the Director of Policy & Campaigns and the CEO in advocating to governments, regulators, businesses and others for the implementation of legislative, regulatory and business practice reform.
• Prepare submissions as part of relevant government and regulatory processes.
• Establish and maintain relationships with experts, thought leaders, policy makers and other influential stakeholders relevant to the position’s policy areas.
• Represent Consumer Action at relevant forums and work co-operatively with stakeholders so that Consumer Action contributes to policy development and reform initiatives.
• Work with the legal practice and financial counselling service to identify and analyse issues arising from casework and contribute to the development of policy and campaign projects to translate this analysis into advocacy action.
• Mentor, guide, and where delegated manage the work of Policy Officer(s) to support their learning and development in their role.

Rewards and Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangements available by agreement
• Join a highly engaged, collaborative  and motivated team
• Option of compressed hours with one RDO per fortnight
• Comprehensive training and professional development opportunities
• Superannuation paid on paid and unpaid periods of Parental Leave
• Salary range $96,000 to $102,000

The successful applicant will:

• Have highly developed conceptual thinking and analytical skills evidenced by the ability to analyse and articulate underlying causes of vulnerability and disadvantage, to understand and critique relevant legislation and legislative reform options, and to ground both in a consumer policy context.
• Be able to design, develop, and implement complex projects, and monitor and evaluate performance of projects against objectives while managing issues arising to ensure campaign objectives are met.
• Communicate in a clear and interesting way understands the target audience and the objectives of the communication, uses feedback to refine communication, proven capacity to confidently undertake public speaking and represent the organisation through public consultation and media avenues, and effectively use online and other forms of public engagement appropriate to the target audience.
• Demonstrate they are able to collaborate and work well with others, show consideration, concern and respect for others’ feelings and ideas, accommodate and work well with the different working styles of others, enable integration and collaboration enhancement, uphold the values of our centre, value diversity and inclusion and treat all people with dignity and respect.
• Work effectively with high degree of autonomy and accountability, demonstrates initiative, sound time management and ability to deal with competing priorities under pressure.
• Confident in mentoring, coaching and as delegated, managing junior team members and volunteers with a high level of awareness of personal impact.
• Motivated to continually update knowledge and engage in self-reflection.

About Consumer Action

Consumer Action Law Centre is an award winning campaign-focused organisation with a vision for a just marketplace where people have power and business play fair. As a high impact advocacy organisation they influence change in policy, law and industry practice across a range of consumer issues. The centre’s advocacy is based upon its direct services, provided by dedicated and highly qualified teams of lawyers and financial counsellors who advise, assist and represent vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers across Victoria. The Centre is particularly focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Consumer Action Law Centre is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people of all ages, and LGBTIQA+ people. If we can make any adjustments or modifications to standard recruitment processes that will support and enable your application, please contact us at recruitment@consumeraction.org.au

How to Apply

Please send a Covering Letter and Resume to Recruitment@consumeraction.org.au

Applications Close 5pm, 3 October 2023