Policy And Research Officer

Play a key part in designing cutting-edge policy reforms for the community transport sector. Influence real change through a national pilot project.

Our client, ACTA, is the national peak body for the community transport sector. Founded in February 2011 and comprising representatives from all Australian states and territories, ACTA operates to provide a national voice for the community transport sector. Joining this organisation means you’ll be working consistently to improve community transport services for the nation, which provide enormous health benefits to vulnerable populations.

ACTA are a small not-for-profit organisation with five staff in Canberra and are looking to expand their team in future. Their office is located at Brindabella Park in Canberra with affordable parking and public transport options available. They offer the flexibility to work from home two days per week.

The Policy and Research Officer is a permanent position where you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering ACTA’s initiatives with a focus on driving a large-scale and influential national pilot project.

As part of the initial stages of the pilot project, ACTA have developed a new funding model for the community transport sector, as it has been recognised by government that the current model is unsustainable. ACTA are working in partnership with the Department of Health and Aged Care, the University of South Australia and a working group comprising 31 community transport organisations across the nation to substantiate the new model and gather evidence to support it.

This is an opportunity to:

• Play a key part in designing cutting-edge policy reforms and models for the community transport sector
• Escape from the bureaucracy, red tape and hierarchy of the government or academic sector. Have the ability to influence real change in a sector that benefits the community and vulnerable populations
• Report directly to the CEO who has created a flat-structured, open, solutions-focused and professional culture within the small team 

Your role will be focused on planning, developing, responding to and implementing policies aimed at community transport challenges. You’ll be working alongside the CEO on the national pilot program, as well as several other initiatives.

Your tasks and outcomes will include:

• Policy development, research and analysis of community transport issues. Develop and propose policy solutions that align with ACTA’s goals
• Work closely with project teams and partners to ensure successful implementation of policies
• Collect and interpret data to measure the impact of policies. Identify areas for improvement and develop recommendations for enhancing program effectiveness
• Represent ACTA in relevant policy discussions, forums, and advocacy efforts
• Carrie out consultations to inform policy including arranging meetings, taking minutes and follow up on actions
• Identify potential risks and issues that may impact policy success and develop mitigation strategies
• Foster positive relationships with key stakeholders including community transport providers, government agencies, members, and corporate supporters
• Work with university partners to deliver research results and learnings into policy on time and to a high standard 

The ideal person will be coming from a policy, research or academic background. Experience in the community transport sector is not required, as you will have strong networks and technical partners to rely on for subject matter expertise.

There is flexibility in the type of background that you’re coming from. You could be coming from a not-for-profit, government, commercial or academic organisation.

To be successful in this role, you’ll:

• Be an excellent writer with a persuasive and influential writing style
• Have strong research skills with the ability to be given a problem, research the issue independently, and develop an intelligent solution that is supported by evidence
• Have the ability to keep policy development or responses on track to meet deadlines and reestablish their timelines if they are running off track
• Enjoy thinking outside of the box in order to solve problems in an innovative way
• Be passionate about making a positive impact and driving reform through Policy and programs 

• $85k – $100k + 11% super
• Permanent position
• Office located at Brindabella Park, Canberra ACT
• Affordable parking available at $11 per day
• Flexibility to work from home two days per week