Policy Officer

Key Position Information

**Business Unit**: Governance

**Location**: Marrickville, NSW

**Reports To**: Director, Governance

**Status**: Fixed Term, Full Time (35 hours / week)

Salary SCHADS Level 4, Pay point 1

$90-95K commensurate with experience, not-for-profit salary packaging

available, plus superannuation

Financial Delegation TBC

About AbSec

AbSec - NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation is the peak Aboriginal organisation in the

NSW child and family welfare sector. We provide an Aboriginal perspective on child protection and out-of-home

care policy to the NSW Government, and support the Aboriginal community-controlled sector to deliver effective

services for Aboriginal children and families. We are a not-for-profit, incorporated community organisation,

governed by an all-Aboriginal board.

AbSec Learning and Development Centre (AbSec LDC), is a subsidiary organisation and registered training

organisation. AbSec LDC is the only registered training organisation in NSW owned and managed by Aboriginal

people in the child and family support sector, offering recognised qualifications in disability support, family

welfare and child protection, as well as governance, leadership and management.

Our Vision

Aboriginal children and young people are looked after in safe, thriving Aboriginal families and communities. They

are raised strong in spirit and identity, with every opportunity for lifelong wellbeing and connection to culture.

Our Principles

Acknowledgement and respect - acknowledging the diversity of all Aboriginal nations and respecting traditional

owners of the land, constantly reminded by Elders, and cultural knowledge of communities to inform our action

Professionalism and integrity - acting with the highest level of professionalism for our communities, ensuring

our integrity will not be compromised in striving for the provision of quality, culturally responsive and accessible

supports

Self-determination - ensuring that our focus is underpinned by the rights of Aboriginal people to make decisions

that impact their lives, recognising the interests of Aboriginal children, young people, families and carers, and

communities in all that we do

Independence and solutions focused - serving the interests of Aboriginal children, young people, families,

people with disability, communities and the organisations that support them to deliver holistic approaches to

issues impacting them

Transparency and commitment - remaining committed to our people in everything we do, ensuring our actions

are clear and promoted at every opportunity

Role Purpose

The Policy Officer is responsible for supporting the Governance Team on a range of policy projects while

representing the views of AbSec’s members and the sector to contribute towards better outcomes for Aboriginal

children, young people, families and communities. The role will provide policy advice and support research and

strategies in consultation with stakeholders to develop policy and drive reform to support the achievement of

AbSec’s organisational outcomes.

Position Requirements

Tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent in the areas of social and or public policy is desirable.

Minimum of 1 years’ working experience and knowledge within policy reform and/or organisational

governance.

Function Accountabilities

Operational Develop and deliver policies that respond to legislative amendments affecting Aboriginal

children, families, communities and agencies.

Develop and maintain appropriate planning strategies for the effective oversight of policy

development and review processes.

Develop and maintain timely advice, detailed briefings, resource materials, reports,

correspondence and submissions on a range of complex policy issues to inform Absec’s

policy and advocacy objectives.

Undertake research to design and manage projects to influence AbSec’s policy agenda.

Participate and lead in working groups, committees, community consultations, and other

associated forums to support AbSec’s objectives.

Work closely and maintain strong connections with Aboriginal agencies, communities,

families, children and young people and government agencies to ensure confidence in

AbSec’s work.

Coordinate with other AbSec Policy Officers to ensure consistency in approaches to policy

advice.

Maintain a comprehensive understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal peoples in NSW.

Undertake other duties within the scope of this role, as directed.

Organisation Work collaboratively with members of the Leadership Team and other team members to

Contribution achieve strategic goals.

Consistently act in accordance with AbSec’s values, challenges practices inconsistent with

these values and uses values as a basis to manage relationships and decision-making.

Comply with AbSec Policies and Procedures.

Participate in organisational and professional development activities, as directed.

Key All staff to ensu