Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer

About the Opportunity

The Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations team collaborates with key stakeholders across the organisation to develop and drive MCM’s long-term strategy, enhance its key relationships, advocate for lasting systemic change, embed lived experience and build its external profile.

The primary functions of the Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations team are:

• Government Relations:  Building and maintaining strong working relationships with key government stakeholders across state, federal and local governments, including members of parliament, advisers and within the public service.

• Policy development: Developing the research, policy and solutions needed to achieve our vision of an inclusive, fair and equitable society.

• Advocacy: Identifying and implementing advocacy strategies to achieve the change needed, including through Government relations, submissions, engagement with the media, collaborations with other sector organisations or allies.

• Client Lived Experience: Developing, coordinating, and supporting the implementation of an organisation-wide Lived Experience Engagement and Participation (LEEP) Framework.

The Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer works with the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations to identify, develop and implement multi-faceted policy, advocacy and government relations strategies. The role provides high-level capability in policy, research and campaigns that assists MCM to understand and respond to strategic opportunities and risks; advance our social change and systems change agendas; and build our reputation as a thought leader.

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• Development, coordination and implementation of research across MCM, including project management as required. Undertaking research that fulfils the needs of the Group, collaborating with external organisations/institutions where appropriate/beneficial.

• Contribute to organisational understanding of the external environment by monitoring and analysing news and information from government, peak bodies, advocacy groups/social movements, think tanks, academia, the social services sector, and other relevant stakeholder segments. Provide authoritative advice on trends and emerging issues, including news and information that presents risks or opportunities in relation to the MCM Group.

• Working with a range of government, departmental, community, academic, media, individuals, schools and organisations on key public policy issues. 

• Develop policy submissions, position papers, and other written material that is designed to promote MCM’s thought leadership and engage/influence government.

• Work with the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations, to develop, implement and coordinate advocacy strategies that influence government and social policy and to optimise organisational positioning and maximise the organisation’s influence.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

Essential:

• Tertiary qualifications in law, political science or related discipline and/or professional experience in public policy relating to homelessness.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex information, prioritise important points and synthesise information from different sources, and provide authoritative advice to Executive and senior management and external stakeholders.
• Experience working in the community sector and/or government, and a demonstrated understanding of the relationship between the community services sector and government funding and policy.
• High-level written skills, including the ability to translate complex information or bureaucratic jargon into plain English and to tell stories.
• Capacity to be flexible and operate in a highly dynamic environment with exceptional interpersonal skills including in communication and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships of trust, positively engage and manage internal and external stakeholders. Capacity to be flexible and operate in a highly dynamic environment with rapidly shifting priorities and tasks.
• Outstanding strategic, conceptual, analytical and creative skills, demonstrated by the ability to understand and interpret the political and social environment, identify the relevant issues and opportunities and apply these in new solutions.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Screening Criteria:

• National Police check
• Working with Children check
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications for this role will close on 8th of September 2025 or Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early.  Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities.  If you have any needs throughout the recruitment process that have not already been catered for, we encourage you to contact recruitment@mcm.org.au to let us know how we can better support you to apply.

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.