The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

Our Race Discrimination Team undertakes a program of policy, project, education and public awareness work under the Commission’s National Anti-Racism Strategy including a national anti-racism campaign and initiatives to progress a National Anti-Racism Framework.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Policy Advisor to be a part of a high performing, diverse and welcoming team to support the Race Discrimination Commissioner to deliver on his term goals and priorities.

This full-time, ongoing position / non ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $94,563 - $105,910 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible hybrid and remote work options to suit your lifestyle.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide expert policy advice to, and prepare briefings for, the Race Discrimination Commissioner and the Commission more broadly
• Undertake research and analysis as required
• Prepare speeches, submissions, reports, correspondence and other materials as required
• Support the Race Discrimination Commissioner with media and communications activities
• Contribute to ongoing research, consultation, policy development and content creation for the National Anti-Racism Strategy
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of organisations including government departments, non-government organisations, and business to support the anti-racism work of the Commission
• Work collegiately with internal stakeholders across the Commission to achieve the strategic goals of the Race Discrimination Commissioner, and Commission priority anti-racism initiatives and projects
• Support alignment across Commission anti-racism initiatives and projects and alignment with the Race Discrimination Commissioner’s strategic priorities

What We’re Looking For:

• Demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of race, racism, anti-racism and human rights issues in the Australian context
• Sound research and analytical skills and the ability to draw on information from appropriate sources
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to work with minimal supervision, to set priorities, to meet deadlines, to work effectively in a small team and to respond and easily adjust to changing work demands
• Demonstrated experience in supporting the identification and development of complex, practical policy solutions
• An ability to support strategic thinking and strategic alignment
• Well-developed relationship management skills, with a capacity to ensure that various stakeholder interests are recognised and managed positively and professionally
• Superior communication skills (both written and oral) including a demonstrated ability to communicate with respect, empathy and discretion utilising a trauma-informed approach

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights communication in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Notes

We strongly encourage First Nations people and individuals from other negatively racialised backgrounds to apply.

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note that this position may be filled on either an ongoing or non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position(s), your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Catherine Duff via [email protected] using the subject line: Policy Advisor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.