Head of Policy & Advocacy

• Type: Job
• Location: Canberra or Melbourne, Australia
• Organisation: WaterAid Australia
  WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and effective sanitation. WaterAid is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people. These most basic services are essential to life; without them vulnerable communities are trapped in the stranglehold of disease and poverty. WaterAid works by helping local organisations to set up low cost, sustainable projects using technology that can be managed by the community itself. WaterAid also seeks to influence the policies of other key organisations, such as governments to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services. WaterAid is independent and relies heavily on voluntary support.
• Closing Date: 16-May-2008
• Description:
  POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION: Head of Policy & Advocacy RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive LOCATION: Canberra or Melbourne SALARY: On Application STATUS: Full Time WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and effective sanitation. WaterAid is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people. These most basic services are essential to life; without them vulnerable communities are trapped in the stranglehold of disease and poverty. WaterAid works by helping local organisations to set up low cost, sustainable projects using technology that can be managed by the community itself. WaterAid also seeks to influence the policies of other key organisations, such as governments to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services. WaterAid is independent and relies heavily on voluntary support. POSITION PURPOSE This role main function is to enable Water Aid to attain its advocacy objectives. Specifically this means: - Influencing governments (Australian and Country Program Governments) to increase the priority of water and sanitation and hygiene education in national funding programs - To assist Government (Australian and Country Program Governments) and other INGOs to develop more effective Aid policy relating to the work of WaterAid This work to be done in close consultation with international programs staff to ensure advocacy and project work are complimentary. Provide strategic direction and leadership in the planning and implementation of WaterAid's policy and advocacy campaigns. Ensure effective liaison between WaterAid Australia (WAAus) and the Australian Government, members of the Australian Parliament and WaterAid staff in the UK and in the countries where WAUK is operating national stakeholder representative bodies. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop and implement policies and advocacy strategies. - To be the main contact between the Australian Government and WaterAid Australia and to coordinate all of WaterAid Australia's liaison with the Australian Government and members of the Federal Parliament in the pursuit of the WaterAid advocacy and policy strategy. - To be the main contact between WAAus and AusAID. - Establish maintain and assist with strategic alliances with relevant national & international organisations and networks. - Work closely with the policy and advocacy staff of other WaterAids, specifically and predominantly with WaterAid UK. - As a member of the WAAus's senior management team, provide advice on political strategy, communications and positioning. - Provide advice on government liaison and strategy to WAAus staff and governance bodies. - Work with WAAus's Campaigns and Communications staff to provide effective liaison with the national and capital city media. - Provide advice and materials on wider communications, including the website, relevant to WAAus's Federal engagement. - Work with the Head of International Programs and Chief Executive to develop and maintain effective collaboration with other water and sanitation organisations including the Australian water industry. - May be asked to lead WAAus's interests in a selected international arena. - Assist WAAus's International Programs (Grant Funding) and Fundraising teams with external grant applications and major donor liaison. - Maintain up to date information systems in both printed and electronic form that is accessible to, and shared by, all relevant staff. - Responsible for the WAAus Canberra Office (once established) and related dealings with members of the public contacting or corresponding with the office. - Other duties as required by the Chief Executive. Experience, skills, personal attributes and qualifications required: Essential - Strong understanding of and commitment to WAAus's vision, values and objectives. - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. - Tenacious character with proven experience in successful negotiation and lobbying - Demonstrated ability to think strategically - A good working knowledge of political and corporate culture and processes and the capacity to represent WAAus at high level business and government forums. - Demonstrated knowledge and experience of international community development water, sanitation and hygiene education programs and related issues. Desirable - An understanding of international debates in water and sanitation provision and how to influence international development institutions and national aid agencies. - Demonstrated high level advocacy and/or negotiation experience with government, government agencies, politicians and relevant sectoral interests. - Comprehensive knowledge of Australian politics and the workings of Federal Parliament. - Proven leadership skills and the ability to manage and team build across a range of staff working on different issues. - Demonstrated strategic skills in analysing and planning campaign strategies and managing their implementation. - Appropriate tertiary qualifications in legal/political and development studies and/or equivalent experience. - Capacity to represent WAAus publicly through media and public speaking events. - Demonstrated budget management skills
• Application instructions:
  APPLICATIONS To apply please send a covering letter and CV by email or fax to: Adam Laidlaw Chief Executive WaterAid Australia Private Bag 1, Mitcham, Victoria 3132, Australia T: +61 (0)3 9872 1732 F: +61 (0)3 9872 1132
• Contact Person: adam.laidlaw@wateraid.org.au
• More information about this Job...

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