AddressPolicy and Parliamentary Adviser
Office of Senator Dorinda Cox (Greens WA)
- Passionate, experienced and skilled at providing policy advice
- A can do, respectful and positive attitude?
- Want to join a team that demonstrates and values equality, inclusion and diversity?
- An understanding of Australian politics and alignment with Greens values?
- Knowledge and experience of First Nations rights and contemporary issues within Australian society.
Are you our next Policy and Parliamentary Advisor?
Western Australian Senator Dorinda Cox is a Yamatji Noongar woman and the Australian Greens spokesperson for First Nations, Resources, Trade, Tourism and Northern Australia.
Senator Cox was proud to enter Federal parliament and the Senate as the first ever WA First Nations Senator. Her role as spokesperson for her portfolios and representing her constituents, requires her to undertake Senate and Committee work and to attend media engagements and events throughout Australia.
Senator Cox leads and requires a highly driven and determined team. If you bring a can do positive attitude alongside policy experience, this is an exceptional opportunity.
You will work within a team of like minded and dynamic people, who are united in their goal of fighting for positive, progressive change and the rights of everyday people, including First Nations people. We complete this work collaboratively and respectfully in a fast-paced political environment.
The work hours can be irregular including some weekend work and you will be required to travel to Perth for some non sitting weeks and undertake some occasional travel.
To join our team we ask that you share our values of respect, collaboration, authenticity and fun and are motivated to support Senator Cox and the team through your parliamentary and policy work.
Our team, like our communities is talented, diverse and resilient. Therefore, we encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, including candidates who have a disability, identify as First Nations or of diverse cultural backgrounds and those with resolved lived experience.
If you share our values and commitment to creating sustainable change, we welcome your application if you meet most, but not all, of the selection criteria.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide policy advice for the Senator’s portfolio areas to maximise the Senator’s parliamentary, senate and stakeholder work.
- Manage parliamentary and committee business, including: Overseeing, preparing for and providing advice on portfolio Policy and reviews, Bills within the Senator’s portfolios at all stages (such as seeking stakeholder feedback, drafting and tracking reports for Committee Inquiries, Party Room briefs, amendments and speaking notes).
- Provide notes and write speeches for events outside of Parliament such as rallies, conference panels and speaking engagements.
- Work alongside Chief of Staff and Media Advisor to maximise, progress and integrate policy within key campaign areas.
- Drafting motions, questions without notice, Senator’s statements, adjournment speeches and disallowance speeches, as well as checking the Senate Disallowable Instruments List on a regular basis
- Estimate and Budget preparation and oversight
- Provide advice and support in negotiations with other parties, including government and shadow Ministerial offices and staff on Parliamentary and committee business.
- Attend meetings with Australian Greens Policy Committees and Working Groups.
- Maintain a high-level of professionalism and confidentiality
- Manage the Parliament House office, including overseeing the Senator's schedule during Senate sitting weeks and facilitating the Australian National University Internships Program.
- Supporting the Senator when traveling for Senate Committee inquiries and community visits, as required.
- Be available after hours and on weekends to support parliamentary work.
- Other tasks as directed by the Chief of Staff or Senator.
The skills and experience we’re looking for:
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- High level of strategic thinking, problem solving and sound political judgment
- Experienced in developing and implementing parliamentary Policy and strategies
- Skills and knowledge relating to portfolio areas, such as the resources sector, First Nations, Northern Australia, trade and tourism
- Preparing information for the Senator to make public announcements and media
- Ability to research, understand and communicate complex policy positions clearly and concisely
- Demonstrated understanding of the Australian and international political landscape
- Ability to works strategically and creatively in a respectful and collaborative way
- Demonstrated experience of proactive fostering and maintaining positive relationships with a diverse group of key stakeholders
- Well organised, work well under pressure, adaptable and manage competing priorities under tight deadlines with minimal supervision
- Alignment and commitment to the Australian Greens’ values, principles and policies and to our team values of respect, collaboration, authenticity and fun
Pay and Conditions
This position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, and employment conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023. In addition to your salary, generous employer-sponsored superannuation of 15.4% is offered. You will also receive Electoral Allowance.
Please note all employees are expected to sign a confidentiality and code of conduct agreement before commencement of their employment.
How to apply
Please email your resume (including two referees) and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria to ************@senator.cox.au using the subject line " Name-Policy and Parliamentary Advisor”. Applications are to be received by 8 July 6pm AWST.
If you have any questions, please contact Kerry Haynes at ************@aph.gov.au or 9228 3277
