Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor - Federal Portfolio

Women's Legal Service Victoria

- Women’s Legal Service Victoria - Melbourne CBD
- Immediate start
- Full time or Part time - negotiable (minimum 0.8 FTE) | Ongoing
- Be a part of a feminist community legal service supporting Victorian women and non-binary people.
- Your expertise will directly contribute to building a more gender-equitable society.
- $119,982-$125,298 + super + NFP salary packaging, 5 weeks annual leave and flexible work arrangements

About Us

For over 40 years Women’s Legal Service Victoria (Women’s Legal) has championed women’s rights to live free from violence. We are a dedicated team with a passion for working with women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination by:

- Providinghigh qualityintegrated legal services for Victorian women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence and disadvantagedor marginalised by structural and systemic barriers;
- Building the capacity of professionals who work with women and non-binary people, to better understandthe law and navigate the legal system safely; and
- Advancing gender equality by challenging unsafe and discriminatory policies andlaws and informing and advocating for legal and policy initiatives that respect andpromote the rights of women and non-binary people.

About the Role

The Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Federal Portfolio is responsible for leading and delivering strategic policy, law reform and advocacy initiatives on issues affecting women and non-binary people across the federal jurisdiction. This includes but is not limited to laws, policies and practices relating to family law, migration, economic safety, sexual violence and anti-discrimination while also contributing to cross-jurisdictional and Victorian advocacy priorities where required. Key responsibilities include:

- Developing and delivering evidence-based policy, law reform and advocacy strategies aligned with organisational priorities;
- Analysing legal, policy and systemic issues and translating complex evidence into persuasive reform proposals,policypositionsand advocacy matters;
- Monitoringfederallegislative, policy and political developments andidentifyingemerging risks,opportunitiesand implications for advocacy;
- Building andmaintainingstrong relationships with government, sectorpartnersand stakeholders to influence reform outcomes;




- RepresentingWomen’s Legal in consultations, advisory groups, workinggroupsand stakeholder forums; and
- Collaborating across the organisation and nationally to progress meaningful systems change and law reform.

About You

You are a strategic and politically astute policy professional who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about advancing gender equality and social justice. You bring strong analytical skills, excellent judgement and the ability to influence through collaboration and evidence‑based advocacy.

Key to your success is your:

- Demonstrated experience developing and deliveringstrategicpolicy,advocacyandlaw reform initiatives;
- Ability toresearch,analyse complex legal, policy and systemic issues and provide clear, persuasive advice;
- Strong stakeholder engagementand influencingskills and experience building productive relationships across diverse sectors;
- Sound understanding of government, parliamentary and law reform processes;
- Ability to manage competing priorities andexercise sound judgement in politically sensitive environments; and
- Commitment to, andideallyexperience applying,anti-oppressive,intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.

You will:

- Hold a tertiary qualification in law, public policy, social policy, social science or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience;
- Have 5+ years’ experience in policy, law reform, advocacy or related roles within legalassistance, family violence, social justice,communityor public policy sectors;
- Bring experience in advocacy campaigns, government relations, coalitionadvocacyor public affairs (highly regarded); and
- Have experience using client, lived experience or service data to inform policy and advocacy outcomes (highly regarded).

Why Women’s Legal?

Be a part of a supportive,inclusiveand purpose-driven workplace where your work truly matters. We offer:

- Competitiveremuneration, NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15,900 in tax-free pay every year)



plus meals & entertainment perks (up to $2,650 tax-free pay per year).
- 5 weeks annual leave, plus bonus paid leave between Christmas and New Year!
- Paid cultural, parental, reproductive health, and gender affirmation leave.
- A strong commitment to your professional development, personal development, and wellbeing.
- A true hybrid working model and flexible working environment that supports work-life balance
- Fresh fruit available in the office.
- Support for your wellbeing with access to our EAP and annual reimbursement limit for your own mental health professional.

All successful candidates willbe requiredto produce a national criminal history check prior to the commencement of their employment.

Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarilyprecludeappointment by Women’s Legal, but if needed, we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate, Women’s Legal will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction wouldprecludea candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.

Please note, all staff employed by Women’s Legal Service Victoria are required to comply with Section 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be emailed to Judy Ma, People & Culture Officer at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor - Federal Portfolio enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge, skills, and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences, including women and non-binary people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, with disability, with lived experience of family and sexual violence, and from migrant, refugee, culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds.If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Note, Women's Legal relies on an exception under theEqual Opportunity Actto employ women and non-binary people only.

Applications for this role will take you to the employer’s site.

Applications for this role will take you to the employer's site.

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Job Summary

Women's Legal Service Victoria

- $119,982-$125,298 + super + NFP salary packaging

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📌 Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor - Federal Portfolio (Melbourne)
🏢 Womenslegal
📍 Melbourne