Government relations officer

Make an impact on Australia's renewable energy future.

About the Position

The Government Relations Officer (GovRel Officer), reporting to the Assistant Director, GovRel, provides coordination, research, internal and external stakeholder engagement and administrative support to assist the delivery of ARENA's Government Relations function. The role supports ministerial, parliamentary and cross-government engagement, including the preparation of briefs, correspondence, reporting and strategic insights.

Join our purpose-driven team where innovation thrives and your work matters. With a values-driven culture built on knowledge sharing and impact, we offer an advancing environment where you can grow your skills and expand your expertise in the renewable energy sector to make a lasting positive impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of ARENA's government coordination function, autonomously responding to cross-government requests and engaging relevant internal stakeholders where required.
• Input into the development and execution of ARENA's government relations and international engagement strategies, as part of the ARENA GovRel team.
• Coordinate the internal preparation of Senate Estimates briefing materials and responses to Questions on Notice (QoNs), ensuring accuracy, timeliness and consistency.
• Assist in the coordination, preparation and management of the end-to-end submission of ministerial briefs, submissions and associated correspondence.
• Assist in the coordination, preparation and management of briefing materials and other strategic content for senior leadership.
• Maintain ARENA's Government Relations stakeholder management system, ensuring accurate records and effective relationship tracking.
• Produce daily updates for ARENA Board and staff covering relevant government and energy sector news and announcements.
• Research and monitor domestic and international engagement opportunities for the agency.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across ARENA, working collaboratively with teams engaging with departments and external stakeholders, especially ARENA's Marketing and Communications, as well as the Impact Teams and other business areas.
• Demonstrate high levels of integrity, professionalism and values-based engagement, and help actively foster these behaviours across the team.
• Contribute to a high-performing, collaborative and supportive culture within the Government Relations function.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop policy, stakeholder engagement and communications capabilities within a fast-paced government agency environment.
• Develop an understanding of the parliamentary, departmental and political processes relevant to ARENA's GovRel work.
• Work closely with senior leaders and subject matter experts across ARENA and Government.
• Contribute to ARENA's vital role in accelerating progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable future and shape Australia's transition to renewable energy.
• Build strong networks across Government, industry and the broader clean energy sector.
• Develop skills in briefing, coordination, strategic analysis and stakeholder management.
• Opportunity to contribute to process improvement and data-driven reporting initiatives within the Government Relations function.
• Occasional travel where required (typically Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne).

What are we looking for

We are committed to increasing First Nations representation and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Knowledge and experience

• An interest in the Australian Government environment, including parliamentary, ministerial and public policy processes is essential.
• Experience preparing written materials (such as briefs, correspondence, reports or stakeholder updates) is essential.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering work within tight timeframes is essential.
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment and contributing to shared outcomes is essential.
• Experience or an interest in data analytics and synthesis would be beneficial.
• An interest in international climate and energy policy, or First Nations policy, would be beneficial.
• Relevant, early-career experience in government, stakeholder engagement, public policy or a corporate environment would be advantageous, but not essential.

Skills and capabilities

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and concise materials for different audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to synthesise information and identify key issues.
• Willingness to engage with machine learning to streamline processes.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgement and the ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability and willingness to learn.

Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in public policy, political science, international relations, communications, or a related discipline are desirable.

Applicants must be Australian Citizens and will be required to undergo a national police check and security clearance.