Senior Adviser, Policy and Advocacy

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

St Vincent's Health Australia is seeking a policy, government relations or public affairs professional to advance SVHA's policy and advocacy agenda. You will provide strategic policy advice, develop evidence-based positions and support government engagement to influence public policy and sector reform.

Reporting to the National Director, Communications and Public Affairs, you will work with senior leaders and clinicians to develop positions reflecting frontline experience and collaborate across

Qualifications

• Significant experience in public policy, government relations, public affairs, parliament or a similar environment.
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills, including policy papers, submissions and executive briefings.
• Strong understanding of government processes and factors influencing public policy outcomes.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams and navigate political environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop policy positions, submissions, briefing papers and advocacy materials reflecting SVHA's priorities.
• Provide high-quality policy analysis and strategic advice for executive decision-making on health and related policy issues.
• Support national advocacy and government relations with briefs, key messages and engagement materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with government departments, ministers' offices, parliamentarians and peak bodies.
• Monitor legislative developments, identify risks and opportunities for advocacy.
• Coordinate participation in parliamentary inquiries, consultations and hearings.
• Collaborate with clinicians and subject matter experts to develop evidence-based positions.
• Align policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement with broader organisational objectives.

Skills

Public policy

Government relations

Public affairs

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Education

Tertiary qualifications in public policy or related field

Job description

About St Vincent's Health Australia

At St Vincent's Health Australia (SVHA), we are shaping a future health and aged care system that supports people with life-changing care, wherever and whoever they are.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1857, St Vincent's is one of Australia's leading not-for-profit health and aged care organisations. Our 30,000 dedicated people provide compassionate care through public and private hospitals, aged care residences, virtual care and services delivered at home across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

Our vision is for every person to receive excellent and compassionate care through a better and fairer health and aged care system. Together, we are focused on enhancing our impact, connecting care and transforming the system.

Our work is grounded in our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.

About The Opportunity

Reporting to the National Director, Communications and Public Affairs, you will play a pivotal role in advancing SVHA's policy and advocacy agenda. You will provide strategic policy advice, develop evidence-based positions, support government engagement activities, and work closely with senior leaders to influence public policy and sector reform.

This is an ideal opportunity for a policy, government relations or public affairs professional who is passionate about creating meaningful change and is looking to make a tangible impact through one of Australia's most respected healthcare organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and drive policy positions, submissions, briefing papers and advocacy materials that reflect St Vincent's strategic priorities and are informed by frontline experience, evidence and research.
• Provide high-quality policy analysis, strategic advice and recommendations to support executive decision-making on health, aged care and related policy issues.
• Support the delivery of SVHA's national advocacy and government relations agenda, including preparing briefs, key messages, talking points and engagement materials for senior leaders.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with government departments, ministers' offices, parliamentarians, peak bodies and other external stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyse legislative, parliamentary and policy developments, identifying emerging risks, opportunities and advocacy priorities for the organisation.
• Coordinate and support participation in parliamentary inquiries, consultations, roundtables, hearings and stakeholder forums.
• Collaborate with leaders, clinicians and subject matter experts across the organisation to develop evidence-based positions and ensure a coordinated organisational voice.
• Partner with communications and public affairs colleagues to align policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities with broader organisational objectives.

Working across some of the most important issues facing Australia's health and aged care sectors, you will help ensure St Vincent's frontline experience, expertise and values are reflected in public policy, funding reform and system-wide decision-making.

About You

You're a critical thinker with a passion for shaping public policy that delivers meaningful outcomes for communities. You thrive in dynamic environments, can quickly navigate complex issues, and bring the credibility, communication skills and strategic mindset needed to influence decision makers, ultimately driving impactful advocacy outcomes.

Accordingly, it is anticipated you will bring:

• Significant experience in public policy, government relations, public affairs, parliament, government, a peak body or a similarly complex environment.
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills, including experience preparing policy papers, submissions, executive briefings and advocacy materials.
• Strong understanding of government, parliamentary and policy processes and the factors that influence public policy outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders and work collaboratively across a complex organisation.
• Sound judgement, political awareness, initiative and a high level of attention to detail.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, political science, law, communications, health, public administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Experience in the health, aged care, hospital, community services or broader social policy sectors will be highly regarded.

Why Join St Vincent's?

Because like us, you believe in our vision that every person, whoever and wherever they are, is served with excellent and compassionate care, by a better and fairer health and aged care system. Better for all our employees and volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide the highest levels of care and quality of life for our patients and c