The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) partners with other federal bodies to advance human rights and support inclusive and safe workplace cultures. The Commission’s Security Group includes partnerships with the Australian Defence Force/Department of Defence (Defence), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF). The Security Group forms part of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s portfolio.

The Defence Collaboration team is looking for APS6 Policy Officers on an ongoing basis. The roles will contribute to the Commission’s work promoting a human-rights-based approach to workplace cultural reform.

The Role

As a Policy Officer in the Defence Collaboration team, you will leverage your research experience and understanding of human rights or workplace cultural reform issues to contribute to a variety of projects and activities to build safe, diverse and inclusive workplaces within the partner security agency. You may be involved in projects that examine diversity and inclusion in recruitment and retention, bolstering inclusive leadership capabilities, and advocating for gender equality and respectful workplace behaviours.

To be successful in this role, you will have experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, research and a good understanding of human rights issues such as gender equality, workplace discrimination, accessibility, diversity and inclusion. Working within a collaborative and supportive team, you will contribute to the production of high-quality research reports, briefings and policy reviews addressing identified needs within the partner organisation and promoting human rights.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to projects in accordance with decided goals, timelines and budget, as directed.
• Undertake research and analysis, including collecting, interpreting and evaluating evidence relating to a broad range of issues on human rights and workplace cultural reform within security agencies.
• Undertake field research including focus groups, consultations and interviews (some domestic travel may be required).
• Prepare high quality written materials for a range of audiences, such as speeches, reports, briefing papers and other material.
• Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, particularly within the partner agency.
• Work collegiately with internal and external stakeholders across the Commission in the planning, administration and conduct of the team’s work and in the development and delivery of the Commission’s identified goals and priorities.
• Provide organisational and logistical support for activities conducted by the Partnership Team and work collaboratively with other team members in the Security Group.
• Other duties consistent with the above as directed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Demonstrated ability to conduct research and policy analysis including:
  • conducting desktop research into topics of relevance to human rights or workplace cultural reform, undertaking field work including consultations and interviews in a trauma-informed and person-centred manner, analysing and synthesising complex data (experience with statistical packages and tests and qualitative analysis software such as NVivo is desirable)

• A good understanding of Australia’s international human rights obligations and contemporary human rights and cultural reform issues in Australian workplaces.
• Well-developed written communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality research outputs such as reports, papers and briefs.
• Well-developed relationship management skills, with a capacity to ensure that various stakeholder interests are recognised and managed positively and professionally.
• Demonstrated experience in project delivery from scoping to delivery, including development of project documentation and reports.
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to work with minimal supervision, to set priorities, to meet deadlines, to work effectively in a small team and to respond and easily adjust to changing work demands.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office, SharePoint and use of databases.