Advocacy and Partnerships Advisor

City of Port Phillip; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 115,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Training and development opportunities

Paid parental leave

Study assistance

Health and wellbeing program

Job summary

City of Port Phillip is seeking a politically aware, collaborative professional to coordinate engagement opportunities and prepare high-quality advocacy materials in support of Port Phillip's priorities. You will engage Councillors, executives, managers and external stakeholders to advance evidence-based advocacy before the Victorian election.

Reporting to the Coordinator Advocacy, Grants & Partnerships, you will work across the organisation to progress Council priorities, demonstrate sound

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in public policy, public administration, communications, stakeholder engagement or related discipline.
• Experience in advocacy or policy skills in a complex organisational or government context.
• Experience supporting work in a political environment, ideally in a Victorian local or state government context.
• Ability to build rapport and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives.
• Excellent written communication skills for analysing complex advocacy and policy issues.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering Council’s Advocacy Plan for 2026-27 and support outcomes in the Plan for Port Phillip and priorities.
• Strengthen relationships with community, political representatives, other councils and government levels through stakeholder engagement.
• Draft and coordinate advocacy materials including briefings, talking points, submissions, web pages and event materials; support media responses and digital content.
• Support stakeholder meetings, advocacy activities and events including preparation and follow-up.
• Participate in regional groupings and memberships (e.g., MAV, M9) and assist with Strategic Membership Review.
• Conduct research, analysis and project support to identify and progress advocacy opportunities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Advocacy and advisory support

Political environment experience

Written communication

Planning, research, problem-solving

Microsoft 365 proficiency

Education

Degree or diploma in public policy/public administration/communications

Job description

• Salary Range Band 7 $115,229 - $128,947 plus 12% superannuation
• Full time, permanent position
• Located at St Kilda Town Hall or with flexible working arrangements possible.

About the Organisation

The City of Port Phillip is an inner-city council with around 1000 employees who deliver more than 100 programs and services to our residents, businesses and visitors. These range from childcare and immunisations, to libraries, management of parks and open space, rubbish collection, road maintenance and more. City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation.

About the Role

Help build momentum for Council’s advocacy priorities by coordinating engagement opportunities, preparing high-quality written materials and supporting well-evidenced advocacy activity, particularly in the lead up to the Victorian Election.

Reporting to the Coordinator Advocacy, Grants & Partnerships, you will work with Councillors, Executive Team members, managers and employees across Council, and engage externally with other councils, Ministerial offices, elected State and Federal representatives, government departments and agencies, strategic networks, residents, and community and business groups.

You will work across the organisation to progress priorities in the Plan for Port Phillip and other strategic and operational plans through timely, consistent and evidence-based advocacy, stakeholder engagement and reporting.

This role suits a collaborative and politically aware professional who can exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and communicate complex issues clearly to varied audiences.

Duties:

• Assist in the delivery of Council’s Advocacy Plan for 2026-27, supporting outcomes identified through the Plan for Port Phillip and other strategic and operational priorities.
• Help strengthen relationships with community, political representatives, other councils and levels of government through planned stakeholder engagement and responsive coordination.
• Draft and coordinate advocacy materials, including briefings, talking points, correspondence, submissions, web pages, presentations, meeting records, fact sheets and event materials, and support relevant public affairs activities including media responses, news and digital content.
• Support stakeholder meetings, advocacy activities and events, including preparation, coordination, attendance and follow-up.
• Assist with Council’s participation in regional groupings, partnerships and memberships, including the Municipal Association of Victoria, M9 and similar bodies, and support delivery of the Strategic Membership Review.
• Undertake research, analysis and project support to identify and progress emerging advocacy opportunities.

Skills and Experience

• A degree or diploma in public policy, public administration, communications, stakeholder engagement or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience applying specialist advocacy or policy skills in a complex organisational or government context.
• Demonstrated experience supporting work in a political environment, ideally in a Victorian local or state government context, with an understanding of Victorian and Commonwealth government operations.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy and advisory support, including coordinating stakeholders, schedules and materials.
• Proven ability to build rapport and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to analyse complex advocacy and policy issues and communicate them clearly to varied audiences.
• Strong planning, research and problem-solving skills, including managing competing deadlines and delivering quality outputs.
• A professional and collaborative approach, with a commitment to positive team culture, continuous improvement and effective use of Microsoft 365 and other approved technologies.

Culture

People enjoy working at the City of Port Phillip because we are a welcoming, healthy and inclusive workplace. We offer a vibrant and diverse work environment where our employees can develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community.

• We offer a workplace that accommodates your working style and needs.
• Be supported and empowered by a leadership team that is community-focused, with a strong desire for change and a culture that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• Training and development opportunities, study assistance, flexible working conditions, paid parental leave, an active social club, a health and wellbeing program with access to fitness gyms, pools and facilities, and a well-regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
• Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia,
• Sufficient proof of their identity.
• Complete a National Police Check via City of Port Phillip’s provider.
• Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).

Further information can be obtained by contacting Romy Zwier, Coordinator Advocacy, Grants & Partnerships via email at **********@portphillip.vic.gov.au or phone [phone] ***.

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Yass Mustafa (Recruitment and Employee Experience Advisor) on phone [phone] *** or email: ***********@portphillip.vic.gov.au