Job description Job description
* Permanent, full-time
* Salary Range: SCHADS 7.1 - 8.1 (depending on experience)
* Access to Salary Packing to maximise your earnings
* Employee Support and Wellbeing Programs, supervisions, professional development and training provided.
* Flexible and friendly organisation, hybrid work options available
* No closing date - please apply as soon as possible!
ABOUT DVNSW
We are the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services in NSW representing over 190 DFV services across the state. We work from a feminist, social justice perspective and recognise that DFV is serious, prevalent and driven by gender inequality. We work to eliminate domestic and family violence through leadership of the specialist DFV sector and the NSW policy environment, promoting best practice responses and primary prevention.
We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected, and empowered. We live and work by our values and we're all about creating better experiences – for our members and for each other.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Peak Body our policy and advocacy work is critical. It gives voice to our members, and those who might otherwise be unheard, to help drive meaningful change by challenging systemic injustice and shaping better policies.
This position would suit someone who is passionate about supporting the DFV sector by utilising their strong policy and advocacy expertise.
It includes leading a small but passionate and talented policy team to enable them to meet strategic and operational objectives, by guiding their work to deliver evidence-based, culturally appropriate, lived-experience embedded and impact-driven submissions, evaluation, research and reports. It would also include working with other teams including Marketing and Communications and Member Engagement in order to achieve these objectives.
Externally it would include proactive and values-driven stakeholder engagement, representing DVNSW with government, parliamentarians, agencies, consultants, community leaders and the media.
Role responsibilities
The role provides leadership within DVNSW and the broader sector, embedding lived expertise, relational practice, and pragmatic advocacy across all policy and advocacy processes. This would include:
* Responsibility for preparing or overseeing the development, coordination, and submission of high-quality policy positions, research outputs, advocacy strategies reports for DVNSW members and other stakeholders at both state and federal levels, ensuring they aligned to strategy, reflect the priorities of DVNSW members and the lived experiences of victim-survivors.
* Provide complex, evidence-based policy advice on domestic, family and sexual violence and the emerging trends in the sector within the context of government policy and academic research.
* Support lived expertise engagement including coordinating the DVNSW Lived Expertise Policy Advisory Committee and facilitating their participation in government-led consultation opportunities.
* Manage a small team providing regular line management, supervision and support to deliver on their work plan and achieve the DVNSW strategic and advocacy priorities
* Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders across the domestic and family violence/homelessness sectors including government and non-government relations.
* Elevate the voice of DVNSW members where systemic policy issues and gaps are identified.
* Monitor the federal and state government policy environment to determine impact on organisations delivering domestic, family and sexual violence services, and leverage opportunities to advocate for positive improvements.
* Collaborate with the Communications team to align external communications, develop media releases and leverage media and public speaking opportunities.
Qualifications, skills and experience Industry experience
* 3+ years’ experience in policy and advocacy management/ leadership role.
* 5+ years’ Policy and Advocacy experience in the domestic and family violence services sector.
* Understanding/experience in working for Not-for-Profit organisation.
Required education
* Relevant qualifications, or experience, in Social Science, Health Science, Public Policy, or related humanities fields
* Qualifications or experience across areas such as trauma-informed practices, incidental counselling, group therapy and conflict resolution. Preferred.
Required experience and skills
* Flexibility and skills to step into areas outside role and manage senior-level responsibilities, according to organisational need
* Strong understanding of the NSW government political and policy environment.
* Strong interpersonal, relationship building stakeholder management and conflict resolution skills including deep listening, empathy, discretion and diplomacy.
* Excellent analytical and communication skills (both written and verbal) including the ability to translate data in an engaging manner.
* Experience embedding intersectional and lived expertise into policy, including co-design and lived-expert-led initiatives where appropriate.
* Passion and commitment to social justice.
We work hard to create a safe and inclusive environment for all and are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage.
However, as a feminist organisation we understand that often, women and people from marginalised groups and communities, feel the need to fulfil every requirement for a job before they will apply for it. If you believe you have the attributes to be successful in this role but don't match every point on the job ad, that's absolutely okay – we would welcome your application and be delighted to consider it!
We strongly encourage applicants to view the attached position description prior to applying.
Please apply promptly, as we may shortlist and commence interviews as applications come in.
DVNSW is committed to implementing safe recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Right to work in Australia, and National Police History checks.
If you have questions about this role, please email Rebecca Plummer on, using the subject line: Policy & Advocacy enquiry via Ethical Jobs, or via phone on .