Head Of Policy And Public Affairs - Remote

• Permanent, full-time role (4 days a week could be accommodated)
• Location: Ideally, Canberra, ACT however role can be performed primarily from home
• A flexible, friendly and supportive culture
• Competitive salary on offer, coupled with not-for-profit salary packaging eligibility.

About Us

RCA is a charity whose purpose is to improve the lives and health outcomes of Australians living with rare and less common (RLC) cancers.

RCA has a number of key areas of focus: Creating a Patient Community, Advocacy, Patient Support Programs, Fundraising, Treatment and research along with Early Diagnosis.

Today, RCA is a trusted voice on best practice patient support across the Asia Pacific region, actively supporting over 600 Australians living with a rare, complex, or less common cancer at any one time.

Our team of qualified and experienced professionals understand the life-giving power that comes from knowing someone is in your corner. Someone who genuinely cares, is willing to listen, and doesn’t have all the answers but will walk beside you every day until we find them together.

The RCA Team assists people from all over Australia (nationwide) to navigate their cancer journey. Many of our patients, following their initial shock diagnosis, have little knowledge of their disease and what treatment is available. Our patients can come to us from all socio-economic backgrounds and age brackets and are referred either by social workers, Doctors, oncologists or word of mouth.

You can view an informative video with more about what we do at RCA here: https://youtu.be/cuNn3N0vP4M?si=puQZMHQ4AhLspcxo

Benefits

On offer is an ongoing role, work from home with the option to work full time or four days per week, and if part-time, the spread of hours over the working week can be flexible.

Our employees can also sacrifice up to $18,500 annually from their salary in general and entertainment expenses.

Due to the nature of the work and location of major stakeholders, candidates will ideally be located in Canberra or surrounding areas, however the role can primarily work from home.

Rare Cancers Australia is a flexible, equal-opportunity employer. We are a growing organisation with a professional, friendly and supportive team. We have a genuine, caring and positive culture and working environment and provide access to career development opportunities.

About the opportunity

We seek an enthusiastic, experienced senior Policy and Public Affairs professional to join our team who will be responsible for the following:

• Lead the development and implementation of RCA's policy priorities, working closely with stakeholders, including government bodies, healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and industry partners.
• Advocate for policy reforms and initiatives that improve access to care, treatment options, and support services for individuals with rare cancers.
• Cultivate relationships with key government officials, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders.
• Represent RCA in meetings, consultations, and Public forums to articulate the needs and perspectives of rare cancer patients and drive positive change at the national and state levels.
• Support RCA’s Head of Strategic Communications in developing and executing strategic communications plans to raise awareness of rare cancers, RCA's mission, and key advocacy priorities.
• Act as a Media Spokesperson for RCA and represent the organisation at public events/forums as required- second to the CEO.
• Stay abreast of emerging issues, trends, and developments in healthcare policy, oncology, and rare diseases.
• Conduct research, analysis, and data-driven advocacy to inform RCA's policy positions, campaigns, and initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and relevant stakeholders to leverage resources, expertise, and networks to support RCA's advocacy efforts.
• Engage with other patient advocacy organisations, medical professionals, researchers, and industry stakeholders to foster collaboration and maximise impact.
• Oversee the development and execution of work plans, projects, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy, goals and priorities.
• Set and manage project and departmental budgets.

About You

We seek a highly accomplished senior Policy and Public Affairs professional passionate about the organisation's mission and a commitment to positively supporting people with rare and less common cancers. You will have a positive attitude and approach that reflect RCA’s missions and values and be enthusiastic, energetic and highly motivated. With highly effective financial skills and the ability to maintain positive stakeholder engagements to deliver results, ideal candidates will have the following skills and experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in public policy, political science, communications, public health, or a related field are required (with postgraduate qualifications being highly regarded).
• A demonstrated track record of achievement in policy development, advocacy, and Public Affairs, preferably within the healthcare, patient advocacy, or nonprofit sector.
• Strong understanding of healthcare policy, regulatory frameworks, and the legislative process, particularly regarding cancer care, rare diseases, and access to treatment.
• Excellent communication skills, including articulating complex issues clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences through written, verbal, and visual mediums.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with government officials, stakeholders, and the media, with experience in lobbying, public relations, or government affairs preferred.
• Strategic thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to synthesize information, research findings, and data to inform policy positions, advocacy strategies, and communications campaigns.

Travel to our Head office in Bowral will also be required occasionally.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter demonstrating their knowledge, skills and experience as relevant to this role.

Enquiries regarding this role can be addressed to: people@rarecancers.org.au

If you meet the selection criteria and are interested in contributing to a purposeful employer that values its people and mission, complete the application process by clicking the Apply Button, and we'll be in touch.

Please note: We may vary the role title and other aspects of the role in discussion with the successful candidate depending on the experience, skills and experience of the final chosen candidate.

We are interested in filling this role as soon as possible, and applicants will be assessed for progression to the next stage of the selection process upon receipt of the application, so please apply ASAP if you are interested in being considered for this role.