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Manager, Social Policy & Advocacy

Australian Association of Social Workers
  • Melbourne based; nationally networked service delivery
  • Full-time (part time would be considered)
  • Salary $120K + super (full time equivalent)

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the professional representative body of social workers in Australia, with more than 13,000 members. The AASW sets the benchmarks for professional education and practice in social work and have a strong voice on matters of social justice, human rights and issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians.

We are now seeking a motivated and results-focussed leader with senior manager experience to drive the social policy and advocacy agenda according to organisation strategy and membership support. Reporting to the CEO, you will manage a professional team and be accountable for the execution of strategy and the ultimate delivery of social policy and advocacy unit goals including member advocacy.

With your extensive professional experience, you will have a well-developed capacity to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to influence social work service design and embed solutions in government policy. High level communication and relationship-building skills and experience are vital to this role. Excellent negotiation and influencing skills are also a must.

You will need to display a ‘can-do’ attitude and actively contribute to developing a culture of excellence through empathy, humility, responsiveness and flexibility.

Key areas of accountability include but not limited to:

Social policy & advocacy

  • Ensure the provision of timely and informed advice and information to the CEO and AASW Board on social policy/advocacy matters
  • Lead the Social Policy and Advocacy Team in the development and implementation of informed and cogent policies and strategies that help promote AASW as a leading advocate in these areas
  • Oversee the preparation and lodgement of formal submissions to government inquiries in consultation with the CEO and the Social Policy and Advocacy Team, ensuring the content accurately reflects the AASW’s position and the social work profession

Campaign management

  • Planning, coordinating and deploying AASW's efforts to achieve registration, taking due account of the prevailing political climate and social/community opinion on matters that would potentially support and/or hinder AASW objectives in this regard
  • Leading advocacy campaigns that cause the advancement of the AASW credentials and improve outcomes for AASW members in relation to achieving increased government funding and to otherwise raise the profile of the credentials with key government/NGO stakeholders and the community in general.

Stakeholder engagement

  • Develop and maintain a national network of stakeholders who can provide expertise and insight across a range of emerging issues relating to key areas of accountability and/or who can operate as "expert advisors" on key areas of professional practice – the National Advisory Panels
  • In consultation with the Member Engagement Team, utilise and build upon AASW data/information sources/access points to harvest member feedback/contributions across a range of social policy/advocacy issues
  • Ensure AASW social policy/advocacy interests are properly represented and communicated to a range of stakeholder groups, including government departments/agencies, universities and professional groups to ensure AASW operates at the forefront of social policy/advocacy issues
  • Represent AASW and the profession at a range of external and internal forums, including Senate hearings, government enquiries and at events involving other professional membership bodies, peak bodies

Please refer to the position description for a full list of position responsibilities.

Selection Criteria:

  • Tertiary qualified with relevant post-graduate degree
  • Significant professional experience developing policy and advocating positions to government and stakeholders
  • Demonstrated experience developing high level campaigns and submissions related to policy and advocacy strategies
  • Highly developed written, research and analytical skills
  • Depth of understanding of social disadvantage particularly within the Aboriginal community and practical experience of developing and implementing initiatives which support community engagement, reconciliation and empowerment
  • Demonstrated capability of managing competing work demands in a complex environment and achieving accurate and excellent outcomes within tight delivery timelines
  • Experienced people manager with demonstrated capabilities of managing for effective performance outcomes including team capability and capacity building and managing employee engagement
  • Highly articulate and inspiring communicator with a significant level of experience of working with a range of high profile, influential stakeholders, building productive, collaborative and value-add relationships
  • Significant understanding and practical experience of working within Australia's state and federal government arrangements within the social policy context
  • Experience in the development of social policy related media/communications/media strategy and implementation plan

The AASW is committed to equal opportunities in employment and embraces diversity and inclusion in its workforce. We encourage applications from culturally and ethnically diverse communities, particularly those underrepresented in the social work profession including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people with a disability.

Further information on AASW can be found by visiting our website at www.aasw.asn.au

If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact Cindy Smith, CEO on 03 9320 1022.

How to apply

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