• Play a pivotal role in implementing policy agendas to promote the inclusion of people facing mental health challenges
• Permanent part-time (2-3 days a week)
• Base Salary $120,338  - 125,061 (pro-rata) + Super 11% & Benefits
• Opportunity to be based out of a member head office in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne

The Australian Psychosocial Alliance (APA) is a group of specialist community mental health providers seeking to improve services and systems. Members of the APA include Flourish, Mind Australia, Neami, One Door Mental Health, Open Minds, Stride, and Wellways. We are experienced organisations providing specialist community mental health services. Together, we have a long history in the provision of quality, consumer-focused services. Our clients are people experiencing mental ill-health, including disabilities arising from their mental health issues – otherwise known as psychosocial disabilities – that impact on their ability to manage day-to-day life in the community.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated Policy and Engagement Advisor for a permanent part-time opportunity, based in Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne. In this role, you will provide policy analysis, monitor emerging policy issues relevant to the APA, prepare briefings, respond to inquiries, coordinate advocacy efforts, and provide secretariat support to the Australian Psychosocial Alliance (APA).

The Policy and Engagement Advisor will be employed and hosted by one of the APA members, reporting to the CEO/Executive Director of the employing member, and working closely with all APA CEOs, as well as internal policy and advocacy teams across APA businesses.

Key responsibilities

• Advise the Alliance on relevant policy matters by actively monitoring the political and service delivery environment.
• Support the delivery of APA advocacy projects by liaising with members and acting as an intermediary to arrange, co-ordinate, collaborate, organise and support member activities.
• Produce content for advocacy and communications purposes, including drafting messages, managing website content, communication materials, correspondence, reports, briefing papers and presentations.
• Engage with government and sector stakeholders on behalf of the APA.
• Maintain stakeholder database for the purposes of communications, advocacy, and engagement activities.
• Ensure APA members are represented on key Government advisory Committees and Governance structures.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications in health, social science, education, business, law, political science or other related field as determined by the Australian Psychosocial Alliance are preferred. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system, preferably the mental health and psychosocial disability sector.
• Ability to utilise your own consumer and/or family and carer lived experience to support policy activity is highly desirable. This includes expertise gained through lived experience and which is informed by the lived experience movement and knowledge base. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in policy analysis and development in the health and social care sector, as well as the ability to use research output to formulate policy recommendations is desirable.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills, and ability to tailor communication to diverse audiences.

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• Learning, development and career opportunities.

Interested? 

To obtain a position description apply online click 'Apply Now' to visit Mind Careers - reference number 494998. Please contact the person below for more information.

Nicola Ballenden, Executive Director Research, Advocacy & Policy Development
[email protected].

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check and the ability to obtain vaccinations against COVID-19.