The Organisation

Just when life should be full of possibilities, cancer crashes into a young person’s world and shatters everything. Cancer pushes them back in to the nest, makes them grow up too fast and weighs them down with worries they are not supposed to have yet. Canteen is a game changer. We help young people and their families cope with cancer Through Canteen, they learn to explore and deal with their feelings about cancer, connect with other young people in the same boat and if they’ve been diagnosed themselves, we also provide specialist, youth-specific treatment teams.

Benefits & Culture

Canteen’s unique culture offers an inspiring, rewarding and purposeful experience enabling you to be at your best, together with a range of benefits including tax-effective salary packaging, generous leave entitlements and professional development opportunities.

The Role

Canteen’s 2026 strategy has identified advocacy as a key strategic goal. Canteen strives to become a leader in national and international arenas to ensure governments and other stakeholders prioritise the needs of young people and their families dealing with issues which heavily impact on their wellbeing.

Over the next five years Canteen will have a well-established policy and advocacy function which will provide opportunities for young people to engage and speak into Canteen’s work; will deliver data-driven advocacy and drive change in the way young people and their families impacted by cancer are cared for in Australia.

As the Policy and Advocacy Officer you will have the opportunity to work with purpose and contribute to the development of policy that will improve the lives of young people and their families impacted by cancer. You will drive policy development and advocacy activity including the provision of high-level policy advice, stakeholder engagement and advocacy across Canteen’s priority areas.

You will support the Policy and Advocacy Manager in the development of Canteen’s policy and advocacy strategy, and drive policy development and advocacy activity including the provision of high-level policy advice, stakeholder engagement and advocacy across Canteen’s priority areas.

Skills Required

Along with postgraduate qualification in social policy, public health, or a relevant field, you're able to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience working in policy advocacy either within the community sector, a peak body, government department or statutory authority, with a track record of providing authoritative policy advice—preferably in the cancer, health, or mental health sector.
• Knowledge of the Australian political system, Australian health and social policy landscape, and factors that influence policy direction and reform.
• Working knowledge of public policy cycles, including public policy institutions and instruments.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring policy changes and identifying trends and opportunities to influence policy including providing high level advice, interpretation, and insights on policy directions.
• Evidence-based approached to policy and advocacy with the ability to transform evidence into policy, advocacy, and practice.
• A collaborative and open communication style reflected in all forms of communication—including written communication which is easily understood, succinct and formatted for a range of audiences, and verbal communication which is clear and confident.
• High level writing and editing skills that can be applied to a range of documentation, including briefing documents, academic papers, submissions, and policy statements, with a low error rate.
• Experience working with other organisations in policy and advocacy initiatives, including developing joint policy positions and engaging in collaborative advocacy campaigns that bring together multiple partners in pursuit of common goals

Employment Details

Location: Sydney, NSW

Job type: Permanent; Part-time

Hours of work: 3 days / 22.5 hours per week

For more information on the role please clink on the link;

As Canteen’s work involves employees being in direct contact with children and young people, employees are required to complete police and working with children checks, relevant to the State in which they will be employed.