With the support of 200 organisational and 950 individual members, RCOA ... Working with colleagues in the Melbourne and
POSITION VACANT
POLICY OFFICER (Melbourne) 22.5 hours per week 12 month contract from 29 June 2015 (maternity leave position) The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), the independent national community voice on refugee issues, is seeking a Policy Officer, to be based in Melbourne CBD. Funded predominantly by public donations and membership fees, RCOA was formed in 1981 as the national umbrella body for organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers. With the support of 200 organisational and 950 individual members, RCOA conducts research, raises awareness and advocates on national and international issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers. The Policy Officer will work as part of the small and effective policy team conducting high quality research and policy analysis on national and international issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees. The successful applicant will be a self-motivated team member with excellent writing skills, an understanding of refugee issues, relevant tertiary qualifications and experience in presenting high quality research. People of refugee background are encouraged to apply. Award conditions apply. The salary package will comprise pay at around $31 per hour, superannuation and leave loading. Fringe benefits arrangements for staff of public benevolent institutions are also available, increasing the effective value of the salary package. Visit www.refugeecouncil.org.au for the position description and selection criteria. For more information, contact Effie Mitchell in our Sydney office via email (
[email protected]) or by phone on (02) 9211-9333. Applications close 5pm on Monday 18 May 2015.
Sydney office: Suite 4A6, 410 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Australia Phone: (02) 9211 9333 ● Fax: (02) 9211 9288
[email protected] Web: www.refugeecouncil.org.au ●Twitter: @OzRefugeeCounc
Melbourne office: Level 2, 313-315 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia Phone: (03) 9600 3302
[email protected] Incorporated in ACT ● ABN 87 956 673 083
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POLICY OFFICER Working with colleagues in the Melbourne and Sydney offices of the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), the Policy Officer will: • •
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Gather information on current policies and issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers, through research, analysis and consultation with relevant stakeholders. Undertake research and policy analysis, to further the advocacy goals of the RCOA. o Prepare submissions, briefing papers and other material for public dissemination on appropriate refugee related matters. o Where appropriate, manage research projects for which the RCOA has received funding. o Prepare notes on policy issues for meetings with government and international bodies. Represent RCOA in interagency committees, community consultations, conferences and national and international fora. Recruit and supervise interns and volunteers involved in research and policy analysis. Identify and develop opportunities to further RCOA’s goal of promoting awareness of, and sensitivity towards, the needs of refugees, including through training and education programs for a variety of audiences. Assist the RCOA team to respond to the needs of the membership of RCOA. Work with Sydney-based colleagues in the promotion of Refugee Week and other awareness-raising activities. Assist colleagues with the preparation and distribution of information (e.g. bulletins, newsletters, media releases, reports, website and social media content) to networks, members, supporters and other contacts. Encourage membership of RCOA and assist in exploring and seeking funding opportunities to advance RCOA’s research and community education work. Assist in the preparation of reports to the RCOA Board and its committees on matters relevant to the Policy Officer’s role. Carry out other duties as requested by the CEO.
SELECTION CRITERIA To be successful in this role, the applicant must meet the following selection criteria: 1. Effectiveness in research, policy analysis and planning. 2. Understanding of refugee issues and the refugee sector. Demonstrated capacity to work with people from diverse cultures. Fluency in a language relevant to current refugee arrivals would be a distinct advantage. 3. Experience in submission writing, preparation of policy papers and funding applications. 4. Ability to communicate and negotiate at senior levels. 5. Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Experience in supervising interns and/or volunteers. 6. Ability to promote and deliver training and to external audiences. 7. Relevant tertiary qualification(s) and practical experience in a relevant field. 8. Preparedness to undertake occasional intrastate and interstate travel on behalf of RCOA.
APPLICATION PROCESS Each applicant must directly address each of the above selection criteria. Applications which fail to address the selection criteria will not be considered. Applicants are also asked to include a sample of written material which demonstrates their ability to write effectively and concisely. This sample must be original material which has not been edited by others. It does not necessarily need to have been published. Address applications to: Office Manager Refugee Council of Australia Suite 4A6, 410 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
[email protected]
Vision, purpose and aims of Refugee Council of Australia Vision: To be an effective, respected and representative national voice for humane refugee policies and practices. Purpose: To work with its members in promoting the development of humane, lawful and constructive policies towards refugees and asylum seekers by Australian and other governments and their communities. Aims: In order to achieve this purpose, the Council pursues the following aims: (a) To act as a unifying organisation and to represent its members. (b) To promote the empowerment of refugee communities and individuals in Australia and internationally and support the capacity building of Australia’s refugee sector. (c) To monitor, research and present information on issues relating to the needs and circumstances of refugees and asylum seekers. (d) To assist governments and inter-governmental organisations to formulate policy and improve support and services for refugees and asylum seekers. (e) To increase public awareness and media sensitivity towards refugees and asylum seekers. (RCOA Strategic Plan 2011-15)
