Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Association of Postgraduate Students Inc.; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful contribution to student rep

Rep network across university

Policy research and advocacy

Supervision of student consultations

Collaborative environment

Flexible working

Job summary

Association of Postgraduate Students Inc. (APS) at The University of Queensland seeks a Policy & Advocacy Coordinator for a fixed-term, full-time role starting January 2027. The position supports postgraduate student representation, coordinates committees and conducts policy research on behalf of APS.

The role involves supervising the Student Insights Coordinator, engaging with student reps and university stakeholders, and assisting in APS advocacy priorities and program delivery.

Qualifications

• Organised and analytical professional capable of supporting APS governance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail
• Ability to interpret complex information and translate into practical policy guidance
• Experience coordinating committees and supporting student representation would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding and ongoing support of APS student representatives on UQ committees and working groups.
• Act as primary APS contact for student representatives, maintaining regular communication.
• Organise committee briefings, debriefings, agendas and papers; coordinate follow-up actions.
• Support policy research, meeting preparation, written contributions and governance processes.
• Maintain records of appointments, engagement, schedules and developments.
• Develop induction materials and training to strengthen representative confidence.
• Research university policies and prepare briefing papers, submissions and responses.
• Build relationships with UQ secretariats, staff and stakeholders.
• Supervise the Student Insights Coordinator and oversee surveys and research activities.
• Support advocacy initiatives and evidence-based planning for APS programs.

Skills

Organised

Analytical

Communication

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Meetings coordination

Initiative

Job description

Association of Postgraduate Students Inc. – Saint Lucia QLD

This is a fixed-term, full-time position (36.75 hours per week), commencing in late January 2027 and concluding on 31 December 2027, with the possibility of extension. Salary is $79,096.42–$82,273.89 per annum, plus superannuation and annual leave loading.

The Association of Postgraduate Students (APS) is seeking an organised and analytical Policy & Advocacy Coordinator to strengthen postgraduate student representation and advocacy at The University of Queensland.

APS is the independent representative body for UQ postgraduate students, supporting their academic, professional and social experiences through advocacy, events, welfare initiatives and student engagement.

Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Fixed-Term, Full-Time Position | January–December 2027

This is a fixed-term, full-time position (36.75 hours per week), commencing in late January 2027 and concluding on 31 December 2027, with the possibility of extension. Salary is $79,096.42–$82,273.89 per annum, plus superannuation and annual leave loading.

Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

The Association of Postgraduate Students (APS) is seeking an organised and analytical Policy & Advocacy Coordinator to strengthen postgraduate student representation and advocacy at The University of Queensland.

APS is the independent representative body for UQ postgraduate students, supporting their academic, professional and social experiences through advocacy, events, welfare initiatives and student engagement.

About the role

As Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, you will play a central role in coordinating and supporting APS's network of postgraduate student representatives serving on UQ committees and working groups.

You will work closely with student representatives, helping them prepare for committee meetings, understand university policies, communicate student concerns and contribute effectively to university decision‑making.

A key focus of the role is ensuring representatives are well‑informed, supported and actively engaged with APS. You will coordinate representative recruitment, onboarding, briefings and debriefings, while maintaining strong relationships with student representatives and university stakeholders.

The role also involves policy research, preparing submissions and supporting APS's advocacy priorities. You will supervise the Student Insights Coordinator, helping direct student consultations, surveys and research that inform APS's policy positions and programs.

Reporting to the Administration Manager, you will work within a small and collaborative team, exercising initiative, sound judgement and strong organisational skills to strengthen postgraduate representation across UQ.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the recruitment, nomination, onboarding and ongoing support of APS student representatives on UQ committees and working groups.
• Acting as the primary APS contact for student representatives, maintaining regular communication and supporting their participation.
• Organising committee briefings and debriefings, reviewing agendas and papers, and coordinating follow‑up actions.
• Supporting representatives with policy research, meeting preparation, written contributions and university governance processes.
• Maintaining accurate records of committee appointments, representative engagement, meeting schedules and relevant developments.
• Developing induction materials, training opportunities and resources to strengthen student representative confidence and effectiveness.
• Researching university policies and emerging issues affecting postgraduate students, and preparing briefing papers, submissions and consultation responses.
• Building constructive relationships with UQ committee secretariats, university staff and relevant stakeholders.
• Supervising the Student Insights Coordinator and overseeing student surveys, consultations and research activities.
• Supporting advocacy initiatives and evidence‑based planning and evaluation of APS programs.
• Improving APS's systems and processes for student representation, policy coordination and reporting.

About you

We are looking for someone who is organised, analytical and approachable, with a genuine interest in student representation, university governance and postgraduate student advocacy.

You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to build productive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.

You should be comfortable interpreting complex information, organising meetings, managing competing priorities and turning research and consultation findings into clear, practical advice.

You will be confident working independently, taking initiative and adapting to changing priorities within a small, evolving organisation.

Experience in student representation, policy research, university administration, governance, advocacy or similar environments will be highly regarded.

Experience coordinating committees, preparing briefings or submissions, conducting research or supporting student representatives would be advantageous.

We value sound judgement, initiative, resourcefulness and practical problem‑solving over extensive professional experience.

What we offer

• An opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to student representation and university decision‑making at UQ.
• The chance to support and develop a network of student representatives across university committees and working groups.
• Opportunities to contribute to policy research, advocacy initiatives and evidence‑based organisational development.
• A role with meaningful responsibility, including supervision of student consultation and research activities.
• A collaborative, supportive and developing organisation.
• A workplace based at UQ's St Lucia campus, with flexible working arrangements.