The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

- Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
- Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
- Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
- Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
- Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

The Policy Division supports our President and seven statutory Commissioners (race, age, sex, disability discrimination; children; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice and human rights) to promote awareness and understanding of human rights, conduct research and advocacy, make recommendations to government to fully implement Australia’s human rights obligations and engage in United Nations human rights mechanisms.

We are looking for an experienced and strategic policy leader to join our team and provide the strategic and operational leadership and coordination across the Policy Division to support the Commission's statutory functions, strategic priorities and organisational objectives.

This non ongoing / ongoing position offers a competitive EL2 base salary of $169,322 with an additional salary determination up to $25,000 depending on skills, expertise and experience plus 15.4% superannuation.

This is a full time position offered for an initial two year term. Part time arrangements may be considered for the right candidate.

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

The key duties of the position include:

What You’ll Do:

- Support the Senior Policy Executive (SPE) in the strategic leadership, management and performance of the Policy Division.
- Contribute to the development, coordination, implementation and monitoring of divisional and organisational strategies, priorities and work plans.
- Contribute to the delivery of high-quality policy, research and advocacy activities that support the Commission's statutory functions and strategic priorities.
- Provide authoritative advice to the President, Commissioners, SPE and Senior Leadership Team on complex and sensitive policy issues.
- Oversee the development, coordination and quality assurance of submissions, reports, consultation responses, correspondence and other strategic policy products.
- Monitor emerging policy, legislative and regulatory developments and identify implications, opportunities and risks for the Commission.




- Lead and manage staff on projects and certain roles as delegated, ensuring high performance, accountability and employee engagement.
- Oversee significant policy projects, strategic initiatives and externally funded programs.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with Commissioners, government agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, business stakeholders and other partners.
- Work with the Senior Policy Executive to strengthen consistency, collaboration and knowledge sharing across policy teams.

Eligibility

What We’re Looking For:

- Human Rights and Public Policy Expertise - Demonstrated experience applying human rights principles, legal frameworks and public policy expertise to complex policy, research, advocacy or regulatory issues, including the provision of authoritative strategic advice to senior decision-makers.
- Understanding of Australia's international human rights obligations and the role of National Human Rights Institutions.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, public policy, political science, human rights, social sciences or a related discipline.
- Experience leading complex projects, programs and organisational initiatives, including managing competing priorities, allocating resources, managing risk and delivering outcomes in a dynamic environment.
- Strategic leadership in a complex environment, including translating organisational priorities into operational outcomes, leading change, and contributing to organisational planning, governance and performance.
- Success leading and developing high-performing teams, fostering inclusive and collaborative workplace cultures, and implementing workforce planning and capability-building initiatives.
- Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to build credibility, influence outcomes and establish productive partnerships across government, civil society, academia and other stakeholder groups.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and quality-assure complex reports, submissions and briefing materials, exercise sound judgement, and make evidence-based decisions on sensitive and high-profile issues.

Notes

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact.



If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Applications close: 5pm 02 September 2026 AEST

Notes

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). An Agency Head may waive the requirement for citizenship prior to engaging an individual where it is appropriate to do so.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work setting to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note that this position is currently being filled on a non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to 2 years. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position(s), your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Darren Dick via *****@humanrights.gov.au

📌 Deputy Director, Policy (Sydney)
🏢 Australian Human Rights Commission
📍 Sydney