Senior Project Officer

• Fixed Term, 11 months, part time (3 days per week) position. Located at Camperdown Campus and Western Sydney
• Opportunity to collaborate with communities in Western Sydney to foster social connection, inclusion and constructive dialogue
• Base Salary $ 112,628 - $ 122,702 (HEO7) pro rata + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Sydney Policy Lab is where community members and academics come together to solve complex challenges. We work with people from all walks of life to set the agenda, experiment and make public policy that transforms lives.

The Lab's work is community centered, multidisciplinary, exploratory and applied. To kickstart a new ecosystem of public policy research and development, our projects build on deep relationships with civil society organisations, government and philanthropy. Our team prioritises working with people who have been excluded from decision-making, leadership and power.

We are seeking a Senior Project Officer to support the Lab's work with communities in Western Sydney to bring together diverse experiences and perspectives to foster social connection, inclusion and constructive dialogue. This program aims to provide insights and strategies that can inform broader community-led public policymaking activities across NSW.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• develop and maintain effective relationships with community and NSW Government stakeholders
• deliver a cross-sector leadership forum on social inclusion and cohesion
• work closely with community representatives to develop and project manage activities centred on social inclusion and cohesion
• coordinate logistics for the project, including scheduling meetings, coordinating attendees, planning events and meetings in various locations
• support communications activities for the project in collaboration with the research team and communications personnel
• implement project governance including policy and contractual compliance and reporting to internal and external stakeholders
• support a team culture of collaboration, learning and inquiry.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Senior Project Officer who has:

• experience engaging with a range of community representatives based in Western Sydney, and may also have experience working with public policymakers and other institutional leaders
• experience engaging with people on complex and sometimes sensitive topics, holding space for diverse perspectives
• the ability to navigate different priorities with care, creativity and professionalism
• exceptional project management skills, moving seamlessly between big-picture planning and hands-on delivery
• a commitment to settings where relationship-building, practical problem-solving and project delivery go hand in hand, fostering constructive dialogue and finding shared purpose
• a willingness to work flexibly, as required for working collaboratively with community and partners.

Work Rights

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

Please ensure you address the following questions in your Cover Letter:

• Briefly share an example of a complex or sensitive project you have led or supported in a community or public policy context.
• Briefly describe a time when you brought together people or groups with different perspectives, priorities or lived experiences. This could be through work, volunteering or other personal experiences. What was the objective, what did you do, and what did you learn?

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Turle, Recruitment Operations by email to

The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Tuesday 23 September :59 PM