• Drive the vision to make a difference to the lives of millions of children
• Lead strategic development at a time of need, growth and ambition
• Enjoy a family-friendly, dynamic culture with a globally respected organisation
  

The Organisation

Save the Children is a global child-focused, independent and secular development organisation, working in more than 122 countries. Save the Children Australia (SCA) is one of 30 member organisations sharing a global vision of helping children in need, protecting them from harm, addressing climate change and helping them access quality education and health services.

Operating for over 90 years, Save the Children Australia, with its head office in Melbourne, is Australia’s largest aid and development agency and leading child rights organisation, supported by more than 120,000 Australians each year.

SCA is a dynamic and diverse portfolio of entities using a variety of business models united in a common purpose to achieve systemic change by creating innovative solutions to the critical problems that children face both domestically and overseas.

Benefits & Culture

To achieve its mission Save the Children is raising its voice – increasing ambition and impact. SCA is growing its dynamic committed executive who value each other’s contributions and enjoy a supportive work-life balance culture. Working closely with the new CEO Mat Tinkler, this role will benefit from the committed independent high calibre board who are guided by SCA’s mission to make a difference to the lives of millions of children every year.

The Role

In this role you will lead the development and implementation of SCA’s public affairs strategy, positioning the agency as the leading voice for vulnerable children in Australia and overseas. As a key member of the executive team, you will-

• Set the policy and advocacy agenda for children, by directing the development of high quality evidence based research and reports that influence government policy
• Have overall responsibility for the agency’s public engagement strategy
• Raise the profile of SCA through thoughtful integrated public facing campaigns
• Manage government relations, media, internal communications with both a domestic and international focus.

Skills Required

You have substantial experience in a public facing role for a major international or domestic NGO or institution with a track record of effecting change on social issues through campaigns, advocacy, government relations and media.

You are entrepreneurial with extensive management experience, appropriate for a large, multi-site services organisation with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and guide investment in programs, people and systems.

You are also able to bring the following skills to the role:

• Strategy development and implementation skills including embedding change
• A persuasive negotiator and able to achieve consensus amongst differing opinions
• Creative, innovative and pragmatic approach to achieving policy change
• A track record of motivating and developing high-performing teams
• An understanding of the importance of influential behind-the-scenes policy engagement.

If you’re passionate about human rights and can envisage using your skills to work collectively to change the lives of children and families, in Australia and overseas, please apply by sending your resume and a cover letter responding to the skills required above, quoting #941324 or call Anna Skeels on 03 8080 8976.

Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and client groups, consistent with our obligations under OH&S legislation. Successful applicants are required to provide evidence of vaccination against COVID-19, or proof of medical exemption.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. You can read about the Scheme and our commitment to Safeguarding here.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.