About LCSA

The Local Community Services Association (LCSA) is the NSW peak body for Neighbourhood and Community Centres (NCCs). Our members are locally based, community-embedded organisations that provide essential services, inclusive programs, and safe spaces for connection in communities across the state.

We advocate for NCCs to be recognised, respected, and resourced as vital social infrastructure.

This is a pivotal moment for our organisation and our members, as we build toward a major advocacy campaign ahead of the 2027 NSW State Election.

About the Role

The Policy & Advocacy Lead is a senior role responsible for driving LCSA's public policy and advocacy work. You will analyse systemic issues affecting the NCC sector, develop LCSA's policy positions, and design and deliver advocacy strategies that influence government decision-making at all levels.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will act as a bridge between the experiences of LCSA members and government stakeholders - producing policy submissions, running campaigns, and helping grow the sector's funding base.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate, analyse and report on public policy issues relevant to NCCs in NSW
• Lead development of LCSA's policy positions, submissions, issues papers, fact sheets and formal policy statements
• Commission primary and secondary research to inform LCSA's expertise in community development
• Monitor developments in Australian and international research relevant to NCCs and community development
• Provide strategic policy and legislative advice to the CEO and Board
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies aligned with LCSA's strategic plan
• Design campaigns to raise awareness of NCCs' role and impact
• Develop advocacy messaging frameworks to support the CEO's engagement with government and sector peaks
• Identify and cultivate champions for advocacy campaigns within relevant sections of government at all levels
• Facilitate member working groups to inform policy development and advocacy
• Represent LCSA on committees and external forums as agreed
• Contribute to Board reporting and external communications on policy and advocacy work
• Support the CEO with grant writing and other revenue-generating activities

About You

You have a strong background in public policy, advocacy or the community services sector, and an understanding of the issues facing Neighbourhood and Community Centres or similar place-based organisations. You can produce high-quality policy analysis and written materials, and you're comfortable engaging with government, sector peaks, and grassroots members alike.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (public policy, social sciences, law, or similar)
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, development, and the production of policy materials (submissions, issues papers, fact sheets, formal statements)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and action advocacy strategies and campaigns
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills - with the ability to build and sustain relationships across government, peak bodies, member organisations, educational institutions and a small staff team
• Knowledge of the NSW Neighbourhood and Community Centre network and/or broader community services sector,
• Demonstrated capability to engage networks and stakeholders and credibility within a new sector
• Ability to develop clear advocacy messaging frameworks for a range of audiences
• Experience facilitating member or stakeholder working groups and conveying findings to inform organisational positions
• High level written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy into accessible materials
• Demonstrated experience in providing strategic policy analysis and advice to senior leadership
• Collaborative approach to teamwork and information sharing across the team
• Demonstrated IT proficiency

Desirable:

• Experience in policy advocacy
• Experience in community or membership campaign organising
• Experience commissioning or synthesising research to inform policy positions
• Experience in grant writing or revenue-generating activities

Role Requirements

• National Police Check
• Working With Children Check

Why Join LCSA?

• Work directly with the CEO on high-profile policy and advocacy at a critical moment in LCSA's history
• Play a central role in a major advocacy campaign ahead of the 2027 NSW State Election
• Join a small, committed team with a genuine focus on sector impact
• Hybrid working arrangements negotiable

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should include a current resume and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria in the position description. Submit your application online through Ethicaljobs.

For a confidential discussion, contact Can Yasmut, CEO, at [email protected] using the subject line: Policy & Advocacy Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs or call 0458 250 171.

The position description can be downloaded below.

LCSA is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the communities we serve, including First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people from the LGBTQI+ community and people living with a disability.