• Term: 12-month contract, with the potential of extending to a permanent position
• Work Type: Full time, 38 hours per week, ordinary hours worked Monday to Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm
• Salary range: $90k to $105k + 10% superannuation
• Location: Deakin Office, Canberra. This role can be worked remotely. If continued after the first 12 months, the successful applicant would ideally be located in Canberra

Exciting opportunity to use your policy, research, and advocacy skills to improve the lives of millions of animals

The RSPCA is Australia’s leading animal welfare organisation and one of Australia’s most trusted charities. We work to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection.

RSPCA Australia is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our national science and policy team.

The successful applicant will contribute to the strategic work of RSPCA Australia in providing evidence-based advice and advocacy to help improve the lives of millions of animals across Australia, now and into the future.

Key activities include:

• Developing and delivering a political engagement strategy that identifies key areas of influence and links to RSPCA Australia’s advocacy priorities
• Researching and preparing high-quality, evidence-based analysis on animal welfare policy and law to support reform objectives
• Contributing to the development and delivery of advocacy strategies to promote and secure key animal welfare reform objectives
• Liaising with politicians, public servants, think tanks and other key stakeholders to ensure that the RSPCA’s strategic priorities and activities inform decision makers in the most effective way
• Representing RSPCA Australia on relevant national committees and working groups involved in the setting of legislation, strategies and related plans and documents

This is a rare opportunity to join the RSPCA’s national science and policy team: to build your profile in the sector, strengthen your knowledge and understanding of animal welfare, and influence the work of one of Australia’s best known and most trusted organisations.

To be successful in this role you will need a proven interest in animal welfare and commitment to the objectives and policies of the RSPCA. You’ll have the ability to critically evaluate evidence-based information and research findings and incorporate this in the development of high-quality written materials.

The ideal applicant will have tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (law, political science, public policy, government relations, or related field) and at least three years of professional experience.

You’ll also have a demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking, political awareness, sound judgement and creative problem-solving and a thorough understanding of legislative and government policy development processes.

In this role you’ll be required to foster and develop relationships with politicians, government officers and other external stakeholders, so the ability to communicate confidently, articulately and persuasively to a range of audiences is also an essential attribute.

About RSPCA Australia

RSPCA Australia is the federal body of the eight state and territory RSPCAs in Australia. Our mission is to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. The RSPCA Australia national office in Canberra provides the administrative base for RSPCA Australia activities. The office is staffed by a dynamic and enthusiastic team of dedicated professionals working across the areas of science, policy, advocacy, communication, marketing and the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme.

RSPCA Australia is committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and friendly work environment in which everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

Please visit www.rspca.org.au to find out more about RSPCA Australia.

Selection Criteria

• A proven interest in animal welfare and commitment to the objectives and policies of the RSPCA
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (law, political science, public policy, government relations, or related field) and at least three years of professional experience
• Ability to critically evaluate evidence-based information and research findings relating to animal welfare and to incorporate this in the development of high-quality reports, submissions and briefing papers
• Highly developed communication skills including a demonstrated ability to communicate confidently, persuasively, sensitively and articulately to a range of audiences both in person and in writing
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking, political awareness, sound judgement and creative problem-solving
• A thorough understanding of legislative and government policy development processes
• Good organisational skills, including capacity to manage changing priorities, deliver work to agreed deadlines and work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
• Demonstrated experience in building positive and trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated experience in campaigning and advocacy for policy and legislative change in a relevant field

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Dr Bidda Jones on 02 6282 8300 or [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.