About us

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

Our Policy Section supports our President and seven statutory Commissioners (Race, Age, Sex, Disability Discrimination; Children; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice and Human Rights) to promote awareness and understanding of human rights, conduct research and advocacy, and make recommendations to government to fully implement Australia’s human rights obligations.

The Policy Section also supports the Commission’s work on community and NGO engagement, human rights education, prevention of gendered violence, international engagement (through technical cooperation programs, engagement with other national human rights institutions and United Nations engagement) and partnerships with key government, industry and civil society organisations.

We’re seeking Project Directors who are driven by purpose and committed to advancing human rights across Australia to join our dynamic policy division and lead key strategic initiatives that promote and protect human rights across the nation. You will lead project teams across Sex Discrimination, Race Discrimination, Disability Discrimination or Children’s rights team.

In these upcoming roles, you’ll lead high impact projects that influence policy, empower communities, and ensure human rights are embedded in every aspect of public life. If you're ready to make a real difference and bring your expertise to a purpose driven team, we want to hear from you.

These full-time / part time, non-ongoing positions offers a competitive salary range of $139,336 - $163,754 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide strategic project management to ensure that all project objectives, milestones and deliverables are met and delivered within the resource allocation available and agreed timeframe
• Monitor project progress and outputs to ensure compliance with the Commission’s obligations in this work with external partners.
• Prepare project progress and closure reports as required.
• Oversee relevant procurement processes and contract management.
• Provide strategic and high-level advice, to the Commissioner.
• Manage and contribute to research and the preparation of materials to support this work, including trauma-informed consultations and research which may include surveys and focus groups.
• Lead the development and maintenance of effective relationships with government, business and civil society and other key stakeholders, including through formal and informal trauma-informed consultations.
• Ensure diverse experiences and intersectional perspectives, including from First Nations, LGBTIQA+, culturally and racially marginalised people, older people, young people and other groups, are specifically consulted and considered in the project.
• Maintain regular communication with project partners.

What We’re Looking For:

• A Bachelor’s degree in law, social sciences or relevant field.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of human rights with an intersectional approach.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting research, providing complex policy advice with an intersectional lens.
• Budget and financial management experience, in a complex external funding context and the ability to develop new partnership opportunities.
• Demonstrated capacity for setting strategic direction and achieving outcomes in a human rights, policy or similar context.
• Demonstrated exceptional relationship management skills which ensure stakeholder interests (domestic and international) are recognised and managed successfully
• Exceptional communication skills including a demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, and in a culturally appropriate way with diverse stakeholders and team members.
• Project/Program Management skills with a demonstrated ability to deliver effective outcomes.

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Notes

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note this position is advertised as Non-Ongoing. The successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to twelve months, if extended the maximum period will be two years in total. The merit pool / list established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement outlining your answers to the below questions.

1. Describe a complex project you have led or contributed to. What was your role, and what outcomes were achieved?
2. What motivates you to work in a project role, and how do you see your contribution aligning with our purpose?
3. Which policy area interest you most and why?

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfil the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

Please note: A Working With Children Check may be required for these roles. If applicable, this must be obtained prior to commencing employment.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Talia Kuluka via email [email protected] using the subject line: Project Directors enquiry via EthicalJobs.