Policy & Advocacy Officer

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians; Sydney; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work model

Paid Christmas/New Year leave

Paid parental leave

Free annual flu vaccinations

Professional development opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Corporate discounts

Job summary

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) invites applications for a Policy & Advocacy Officer. The role sits within the Policy & Advocacy team, developing health policies and advocacy materials for Fellows and trainees across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The position focuses on policy responses, evidence synthesis, and timely submissions, with responsibilities spanning research, briefs, and engagement with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing health policies, position statements and briefing papers.
• Advocacy and communications experience with persuasive change strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills, political judgement and strategic thinking.
• Good project coordination skills and ability to meet timelines.
• Excellent secondary research skills across diverse disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop policies and position statements based on input from Fellows and Trainees.
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to support policy priorities.
• Research evidence and external commentary on health topics.
• Prepare briefs, submissions, reports and correspondence for decision makers.
• Provide rapid responses to health policy issues as they arise.
• Create persuasive and engaging written materials for diverse audiences.
• Utilize channels and social media to communicate policy positions.
• Coordinate projects to meet timelines and milestones.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across the College and external bodies.

Skills

Health policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

Analytical thinking

Project coordination

Secondary research

Education

Health policy or related discipline degree

Job description

About the RACP
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) connects, represents, and trains physicians and trainee physicians across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The RACP provides services to support the delivery of training, continuing professional development, and health policy and advocacy to medical health professionals.

Our Values
Accountable | Collaborate | Indigenise and Decolonise | Lead the way | Respect

Why Join Us?
As part of our team, you will be offered a competitive remuneration salary and access to some amazing benefits including a flexible hybrid work model, additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year, paid parental leave, free annual flu vaccinations, professional development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Program, special corporate discounts and more! To view all our benefits, visit www.racp.edu.au/about/careers-at-racp.

Our 3-2-1 Hybrid Working Model

• 3 days from anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand per week,
• 2 days from an RACP office location per week,
• 1 of the two days per week in office spent with your team.

Job Description

About the Role
The Policy & Advocacy (P&A) team develops medical and health policies, leads the College’s advocacy initiatives, and provides advice on policy so that the College is actively engaged in health policy debate and is positioned to influence medical and health policy in Australia and New Zealand, as it affects the Fellows and trainees, patients and communities that they serve.

The purpose of this position is to work as part of the P&A team in the research, analysis, development, dissemination and implementation of health policies, positions and projects that reflect the priorities of the College and its members. The Policy & Adovcacy Officer will develop policy responses to the policy, political and professional issues relevant to physicians and trainee physicians. You will also support and work with Fellows and trainees to harness their expertise and experience to develop compelling, relevant and timely health policies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop policies and position statements, based on input and advice from College Fellow and Trainees
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to support College policy priorities
• Research the evidence, literature base and external commentary on various health related topics
• Prepare research summaries, correspondence and briefs to inform decision making
• Participate in the provision of rapid responses to health policy issues as they arise
• Prepare submissions, reports, funding applications, correspondence, presentations and other documents as required
• Develop persuasive and engaging written materials
• Utilise communication channels and social media opportunities
• Project co-ordination to meet project timelines
• Build effective relationships with key stakeholders; across the College and with external organisations

Desired Skills and Experience

About You
The successful candidate will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in health policy, communications, political science or related disciplines
• Experience in the development of health policies, position statements and briefing papers
• Demonstrated advocacy and communications experience including skills in developing persuasive strategies for change, stakeholder engagement and influencing decision-makers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially the ability to adapt writing style to a specific audience and /or purpose and with attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills, political judgement and strategic thinking
• Good project co-ordination skills and ability to meet timelines
• Excellent secondary research skills, including the ability to assess and critically evaluate evidence in the Australian and New Zealand health policy context
• Skills in preparing briefs and background analyses, with strong ability to draw on published research from a diverse range of academic disciplines and effectively organise information for the reader

For any further information, please email [e-mail].