About us:

The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA NSW) is the peak body for not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW. We represent nearly 100 members across NSW that collectively own and/or manage around 54,000 rental homes - the largest community housing industry in Australia.

Our vision is “Communities where everyone can access safe, sustainable and affordable housing."

CHIA NSW works closely with its member organisations to build a sustainable and growing community housing industry that delivers great outcomes for tenants and the communities in which they live. Our members provide social and affordable housing to individuals and families across NSW.

CHIA NSW has four key strategic priorities in our recently finalised Strategic Plan (2023 – 2027):

• Effective advocacy: Shape the policy agenda on housing need
• Strong industry stewardship: Guide the community housing industry in a dynamic environment
• Exceptional services: Support high-quality outcomes across the housing and homelessness sector through value-for-money services
• Thriving organisation: Make CHIA NSW an even better place to work.

Benefits

This is a full-time, permanent appointment, based in Sydney. Part-time work arrangements (minimum 4 days per week) will be considered on request.

A competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Additional paid leave over Christmas, plus an additional leave day for your birthday
• NFP salary packaging
• Employee Assistance Program
• Collaborative, positive, and supportive working environment with the opportunity to make a difference.

About the opportunity:

The Senior Policy Officer is a newly created role at CHIA NSW, working in our growing Public Affairs team.

The Senior Policy Officer will be responsible to the Manager - Policy for leading and managing policy and advocacy projects and for helping to co-ordinate the industry’s involvement in policy, advocacy, and debate. The successful candidate will also work closely with an experienced Senior Policy Officer in the same team.

This role will have a specialist focus on homelessness issues, community housing operations, and service innovation.

Key responsibilities include identifying and undertaking advocacy on existing and emerging issues, conducting research, and preparing reports, submissions, briefings and position statements for CHIA NSW’s members and external audiences.

Other key responsibilities including building and maintaining strong relationships with member organisations and external stakeholders, contributing expert advice to inform our media and communications strategy, and supporting our government relations work.

The Senior Policy Officer will also contribute to the development of CHIA NSW’s major events such as the Community Housing Conference and stakeholder engagement events.

As a senior member of the Public Affairs team, the Senior Policy Officer is expected to make an effective contribution to the achievement of the organisation’s broader objectives as an industry peak body.

About You:

You are an experienced Senior Policy Officer, ideally with previous experience working in a relevant policy area in the NSW or Federal Government, the not-for-profit sector, or a peak body.

You have a clear desire to work with an organisation that seeks to improve the lives of some of individuals and families in the community. Like us, you believe that safe, secure, and affordable housing is a fundamental right.

You love to influence positive change in the community, and you value diversity and the power of ideas.

You enjoy working in a dynamic and evolving policy environment, characterised by significant reform opportunities, with the potential to drive meaningful change.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential

• Degree in social sciences, law, economics or related discipline and/or equivalent experience
• At least 5 years’ experience in policy analysis and development, including the ability to prepare reports, briefing papers and policy submissions to publication standard
• Previous experience working in a relevant senior policy role in State or Federal Government, the not-for-profit sector or a peak body
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Excellent understanding of State, Federal and Local Government and the process of policy development
• Demonstrated knowledge of housing and homelessness issues, preferably in social or community housing
• Demonstrated knowledge of community housing operations and service innovation practices
• Demonstrated skills and experience in project management, including the ability to manage contractors to ensure effective project delivery
• Ability to represent CHIA NSW on external committees and steering groups as delegated by the Head of Public Affairs or Manager - Policy
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and as part of a cross-functional team, and a willingness to take initiative where appropriate
• Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a fluid environment
• Strong alignment with values-based organisations and the aims of the community housing industry

A position description is available below.

To apply for this role, please submit a short cover letter responding to the selection criteria and an up-to-date CV.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview before the closing date, so please apply as soon as possible.

Please note that as a condition of employment, CHIA NSW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including booster shots, when eligible).

Please contact Michael Carnuccio, Manager - Policy, with any queries about the role by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA NSW) is honoured to work on the ancestral lands of the Gadigal People. CHIA NSW acknowledges that the land is, was, and always will be Aboriginal land. We recognise the Gadigal people as the custodians of the lands, seas and waterways and celebrate their strength, history, and enduring culture.

A position description is attached.