Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, Aotearoa NZ

Job Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Wellington CBD

Job Category: Consulting and Strategy

About The RACP

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) connects, represents, and trains physicians and trainee physicians across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The RACP provides services to support the delivery of training, continuing professional development, and health policy and advocacy to medical health professionals.

Our Values

Accountable | Collaborate | Indigenise and Decolonise | Lead the way | Respect

Why Join Us?

As part of our team, you will be offered a competitive remuneration salary and access to some amazing benefits including a flexible hybrid work model, additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year, paid parental leave, free annual flu vaccinations, professional development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Program, special corporate discounts and more! To view all our benefits, visit www.racp.edu.au/about/careers-at-racp.

Our 3-2-1 Hybrid Working Model

• 3 days from anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand per week,
• 2 days from an RACP office location per week,
• 1 of the two days per week in office spent with your team.

Job Description

About the Role

The Policy & Advocacy team develops medical and health policies, leads the College’s advocacy initiatives, and provides advice on policy so that the College is actively engaged in health policy debate and positioned to influence policy in Australia and New Zealand, as it affects the Fellows and trainees, patients and communities that they serve.

The purpose of this position is to work with members to develop, deliver and implement health policies, positions and advocacy strategies, with particular focus on the Aotearoa NZ environment.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Support the College’s policy and advocacy work in the development, dissemination, implementation of health policies, positions, strategies, initiatives that reflect the priorities of the College.
• Support and work with Fellows and trainees to harness their expertise and experience to develop compelling, relevant and timely health advocacy and policy work to improve the health and well-being of the community.
• Support the College in influencing key decision-makers so that it is at the forefront of health policy debates in Australia and New Zealand.
• Support the implementation of the College’s Indigenous strategic priorities in relation to whānau, hapū iwi and hapori Māori in Aotearoa NZ and Hauora Māori.
• Develop submissions, briefs, letters, advocacy materials, policies and position statements on matters as required, based on input and advice from College Fellows and Trainees.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage the College membership with the policy and advocacy work of the College.
• Identify opportunities for innovative and engaging advocacy initiatives, to include appropriate reporting measures on effectiveness.
• Research the evidence, literature base and external commentary on various health related topics.

This is a 12 month fixed term, part time position, working 30 hours per week - we are flexible on the days/hours worked.

About You

Desired Skills and Experience

The Successful Candidate Will Have

• Relevant tertiary qualifications eg. political science, communications, policy, public health, law or related discipline.
• Significant experience in the development of health policies, position statements and briefing papers.
• Highly developed analytical, research and evaluation skills, political judgement and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work within a context of complexity.
• Demonstrated skills and track record in developing and executing persuasive strategies for policy change and stakeholder engagement, including identifying partners, building networks and influencing decision-makers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise, multitask and manage deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team with a flexible approach to sharing tasks and working cooperatively.
• Understanding of the various audiences involved in the Aoteoroa New Zealand health policy context.
• IT Capabilities: Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint and video/teleconferencing platforms.

Interested?

Please submit your cover letter and CV by 3 February 2025. If you would like further information, please email recruitment@racp.edu.au.

We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible as will be shortlisting and interviewing as applications are received. Our ad may close earlier than the specified closing date should a suitable candidate be found.