Policy & Advocacy Officer

Policy & Advocacy Officer Position Description:

Organisation: Islamic Council of Victoria

Reports to:

• ICV Advocacy Lead (Currently President) on advocacy matters
• ICV GM on operational matters

Work location: Hybrid – Both remotely working from home and at ICV Office: 
66-68 Jeffcott Street, West Melbourne

FTE: Part-time up to 0.6 FTE negotiable

Position contact: Zakaria Wahid, General Manager, *************@icv.org.au

The Islamic Council of Victoria:

The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) is the peak body for Muslim organisations in Victoria. The ICV represents the wider Victorian Muslim community and has more than 75 member organisations located throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. 

The ICV’s vision is to build a better community for all Australians through the empowerment of Muslims in Victoria. The ICV aims to fulfil this vision through the provision of advocacy and social welfare services, and in consultation and cooperation with governments, multifaith communities, service providers and wider society. The organisation is firmly committed to providing support for, and protecting the rights of, Victorian Muslims.

The ICV Advocacy Team:

The ICV Advocacy Team is a volunteer team working to advocate on key policy issues affecting Victoria’s Muslim community. The team’s purpose is to provide a voice for Muslims, working to uphold justice, equity and fairness in Victoria and Australia. The team advocates to all levels of government as well as private institutions such as media, NGOs, corporations, and security services to ensure that the voice of the Muslim community is heard and amplified, and that the rights and interests of Muslims are protected in public life. 

Role Purpose:

The ICV is currently seeking a motivated and proactive individual to fill the newly established position of Policy & Advocacy Officer. This role entails supporting and enabling  the organisation’s advocacy efforts by coordinating and planning the volunteer Advocacy Team. This includes identifying key areas of concern and devising strategic plans to ensure the ICV advocates effectively for the rights, needs and interests of the Muslim community in matters related to public policy, state and federal law and international issues. The Policy & Advocacy Officer will identify opportunities for advocacy and to make the voice of the Muslim community heard and oversee projects targeting all levels of government as well as private institutions and other relevant stakeholders. The Policy & Advocacy officer serves as a key  representative for the ICV on key policy issues affecting the Muslim community in Victoria. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning:
  • Identify and prioritise key policy areas affecting the rights and interests of the Muslim community in Victoria and develop comprehensive strategies to effectively advocate in these areas.
  • Proactively seek opportunities for advocacy and build strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including government and private organisations.
  • Monitor policy updates and changes in key areas of concern and adapt strategies and projects accordingly to ensure the ICV’s advocacy efforts are relevant and effective.

• Team Leadership:
  • Oversee and coordinate  a team of volunteers to ensure projects are completed within strict deadlines.
  • Assist and provide guidance to volunteers with their projects, facilitating their engagement with key stakeholders through sourcing advocacy opportunities and building strategic partnerships. 
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for inquiries related to ICV’s policy positions.
  • Promote a collaborative and positive team environment, facilitating productivity and innovation among the volunteer Advocacy Team.
  • Assist with the recruitment Advocacy Team volunteers. 

• Policy analysis & research:
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of legislative proposals, policy documents, and government initiatives to assess their potential impact on the Muslim community.
  • Maintain awareness of emerging trends, issues, and developments in areas relevant to the ICV's advocacy efforts through ongoing research and monitoring.
  • Be aware of and respond rapidly to emerging concerns or crises affecting the Muslim community, issuing rapid-action projects such as public statements and direct communications with government. 

• Campaigning & capacity building:
  • Raise awareness and mobilise support among ICV member societies, constituents, and community for key advocacy efforts.
  • Empower member societies and community members to advocate for their rights and interests by providing resources, tools, and guidance on engaging with policymakers and stakeholders.

• Communications & publications:
  • Draft media statements related to key areas of concern to the Muslim community. 
  • Assist the volunteer team in drafting and editing advocacy projects, including inquiry submissions, research publications, and communications with government. 

• Collaboration:
  • Work closely with team to ensure that Advocacy Team projects align with the ICV’s key strategic goals. 

• Goal setting and evaluation:
  • Monitor the effectiveness of advocacy efforts in bringing about policy change or tangible results and assess progress towards the ICV’s advocacy goals.
  • Regularly identify strengths and areas for improvement to guide Advocacy Team projects. 

Key Selection Criteria:

Technical Expertise 

• Demonstrated experience in advocacy, particularly within Muslim organisations.
• Understanding of political processes, legislative frameworks, and policy development at state, federal, and international levels.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Well-developed ability to construct compelling written submissions.
• Strong leadership or management experience, preferably in a volunteer or nonprofit setting.
• Ability to manage projects, ensuring effective delegation of resources and tasks to team members.
• Monitoring and adaptability, including the ability to evaluate outputs and activities, ensuring effective outcomes and alignment with the ICV’s strategic goals and Muslim community’s needs and concerns.
• Empathy and cultural sensitivity, demonstrating an understanding of the rich diversity within the wider Victorian Muslim community and the importance of cultural responsiveness.
• Strong networking skills with the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and advocacy organisations.
• Proven ability to navigate complex and potentially contentious issues diplomatically and constructively.
• Conflict resolution skills and experience in facilitating dialogue and mediating disagreements to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, and maintain strong written records including project plans, meeting minutes, research notes and more, as well to issue rapid-responses to new and emerging issues of concern.

Personal qualities

• Strong personal commitment to social justice, human rights, and equity, with a passion for advocating on behalf of marginalised and vulnerable communities.
• Understanding of intersectional issues and their impact on the experiences and rights of individuals within the Muslim community.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to engage productively with advocacy targets and the public, and the capacity to act as a point of contact for sensitive and controversial issues. 
• Adaptability and demonstrated perseverance to work efficiently, energetically and to cope with setbacks and challenges.

Qualifications:

A tertiary qualification/s in politics, law, social sciences, public policy or other relevant area, or relevant experience in the community or legal advocacy sector. 

The ICV is an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity. We are equal opportunity employer.

Application Process:

Please submit a resume and cover letter which references the Key Selection Criteria and outlines your relevant experience and qualifications. Please include two professional references. All appointments to the ICV are subject to a reference check and will be required to submit a Police Check and Working with Children’s Check.