Policy Officer

The Policy Officer will play a key role in the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare's work in Tasmania, providing research, policy, and communications advice. You will have strong experience in writing, ideally in developing policy advice within a social justice, advocacy, or political setting.

As Policy Officer, you will deliver broad, evidence-based advice and contribute to developing solutions, proposals, and recommendations that drive progress in the child and family services sector. You will leverage your capabilities in policy, research, and evidence to help the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare understand and respond to strategic opportunities and risks, advance our social and systems change agendas, and reinforce our position as a thought leader for Tasmania's children and families.

The Centre operates a hybrid working model, offering flexibility while ensuring robust engagement and collaboration across our teams.

This position is open to candidates who live in Tasmania, in a rural or regional location
.

• Reports to: Executive Manager - Strategy, Partnerships and Engagement
• Reporting to this role: Initially, there are no positions reporting to this role. As the role expands a project or administrative office will report to this role.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the Centre's understanding of the external environment by monitoring and analysing emerging news, evidence, research, and information from government, peak bodies, academia, the social services sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute expertise to policy and research partnerships and projects, including managing projects as required.
• Engage with members and stakeholders across government, the community sector, and academia to understand opportunities, issues and needs for children, families, and the sector that supports them.
• Source and analyse internal and external quantitative and qualitative data for policy submissions, position papers, and other policy and advocacy materials.
• Monitor the regulatory landscape, researching and analysing current and future policy issues. Provide authoritative advice on trends and emerging issues, including news and information that present risks or opportunities for Tasmania's children, families, and the Centre's members that support them.
• Tailor documents to respond to the context of different audiences, including senior public servants, Ministers, parliamentarians, and the child and family services sector leadership, the child and family workforce, and children and families.
• Participate in relevant government and community sector networks.

Key Selection Criteria

• Experience working as a research assistant, policy officer, or related role within the public or Not-for-Profit sector.
• Experience conducting desktop research or contributing to primary research processes, preferably in a field related to child and family welfare.
• Well-developed analytical skills, including the ability to source, synthesise, and critically evaluate data and evidence from diverse sources.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written materials and communications in a variety of formats.
• Effective time management skills with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage various tasks across multiple projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a busy, responsive, and close-knit team.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively with stakeholders, including community groups, government agencies, child and family services organisations, and other partners.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the community-based child, youth, and family services sector; and
• Experience working in Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector.

Benefits Of Working At The Centre

• Up to three days additional leave (pro rata) over Christmas/New Year period
• Family friendly flexible working arrangements
• A flexible hybrid work-from-home arrangement
• Paid parental/carer/study leave
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• A supportive and positive work environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Leave loading of 17.5%
• Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging (this boosts your income by reducing the amount of tax you pay), with additional Meal/Holiday accommodation benefit

How To Apply
If you feel this role is right for you, we welcome your application. Please provide the following:

• Your CV/resume
• A brief cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role, relevant experience, and how you meet the Eligibility Criteria (including short examples where appropriate)

Please collate these into one (1) document for upload.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please reach out to

This position is being recruited through an expedited process. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the role may be filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close once a suitable candidate is appointed.