Advocacy and Policy Officer

About the role

• 12-month parental leave contract

• 32 hours per week

• Adelaide or remote

Working Women’s Centres Australia (WWCA) is seeking an Advocacy and Policy Officer to join our small, growing national team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on national advocacy and policy initiatives aimed at creating a fairer, safer and more equal working life for women.

The Advocacy and Policy Officer is part of a national team responsible for delivering WWCA's advocacy and policy work. The role focuses on support development and implementation of national advocacy strategies, including the national NDA campaign, coordinating national input across Working Women's Centres, supporting advocacy, governance and organisational development, and representing WWCA at forums, roundtables and sector events. The position will be leading the national NDA campaign (with a focus on the legal profession advocacy arm of the campaign) and will work closely with another Advocacy and Policy Officer to ensure alignment between campaign strategy and law reform. This role requires strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, along with confidence engaging stakeholders across jurisdictions. The position operates with a high level of autonomy and requires initiative and sound judgment within a developing national organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of national advocacy strategies

• Represent WWCA at meetings, forums, roundtables and events

• Engage with government, unions and key stakeholders

• Prepare briefings, speaking notes and materials for the CEO and Board

• Undertake research and analysis on workplace issues affecting women and vulnerable workers

• Identify systemic issues using data and insights from Working Women's Centres

• Develop evidence-based policy positions aligned with WWCA priorities

• Coordinate policy input from Working Women's Centres nationally

• Support the CEO to develop governance systems, structures and processes

• Build and maintain effective working relationships across the sector

About you

• Demonstrated understanding of legal professional obligations, solicitor conduct rules, ethical duties and professional standards relevant to legal advice, client confidentiality, conflicts, independence, integrity and the proper administration of justice

• Demonstrated experience in advocacy, policy development, law reform, campaigning or a related field, preferably in workplace rights, gender equality, employment law, social justice or community services

• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify systemic issues, interpret policy and legislative developments, and translate evidence into persuasive policy positions, submissions, briefings and campaign materials

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, compelling materials for diverse audiences such as government, boards, unions, community organisations, media and sector partners

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders across jurisdictions, including the legal profession, government, unions, community organisations, legal services and other Working Women's Centres

• Experience coordinating input across networks or member-based organisations, including facilitating collaboration, synthesising diverse perspectives and supporting consistent national messaging

• Highly developed organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, exercise initiative and work with a high level of autonomy in a developing organisation

• A demonstrated commitment to gender equality, workplace rights, social justice and the values and purpose of Working Women's Centre Australia

• Desirable: Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in law, public policy, industrial relations, social sciences, gender studies, human rights, communications or another relevant discipline

About us

Working Women's Centre Australia (WWCA) was established as a national advocacy body under a national expansion program funded through WWC SA. In May 2024, Working Women's Centre South Australia (WWC SA) was funded to establish WWCA as a national body, funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. WWCA's core functions include facilitating coordination and collaboration between Working Women's Centres across Australia, supporting consistent and recognisable national branding, leading national advocacy and industry initiatives to prevent workplace sexual harassment, conducting research and analysis on systemic issues affecting working women, and contributing to national policy debates on women's workplace rights and entitlements. Working Women's Centres operate in every state and territory and provide legal support, advocacy, and education to vulnerable workers.