Job Description
Are you an experienced advocacy and policy professional looking for a meaningful role in a respected, non-profit organisation?
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Ready to bring your skills and expertise to the organisation that's inspiring, connecting and transforming the Australian water sector?
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Here's an chance to use your government relations experience and policy knowledge to help build a national advocacy function to support the thriving, critical sector that underpins Australia's prosperity, resilience and liveability.
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Heart Talent is delighted to partner with the Australian Water Association - the peak body for Australia's water sector - to find the newest member of their growing advocacy and capability team.
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Powered by their vision for a sustainable water future, AWA is evolving from a connector of water professionals into a catalyst for system-wide change - and advocacy sits at the heart of how that change will happen.
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With a recent advocacy plan and a roadmap through to ****, there's real momentum behind growing AWA's voice with government, making this an exciting time to join the organisation.
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WHAT'S ON OFFER
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permanent, full time role
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Chatswood office
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hybrid working - 3 days in office/2 days WFH
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salary packaging and novated leasing options
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respected brand in a thriving sector
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a newly created role with real scope to shape it
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investment in advocacy, capability and sector-level impact
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ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
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This role is about strengthening the policy and advocacy agenda and ensuring AWA is a credible, evidence-based and influential voice on the issues shaping the future of Australia's water sector.
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As part of a small high-performing team, you'll turn member insight into influence, building relationships with government and leading the development of policy positions and initiatives that support AWA's advocacy and impact priorities.
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Working with a Board-approved advocacy plan and activity roadmap, you'll bring together technical expertise,



industry intelligence, member insights and diverse perspectives to influence public policy and sector-wide outcomes.
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This role will see you:
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lead the development, implementation and ongoing review of AWA's policy agenda
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identify opportunities to influence policy outcomes and lead priority reforms
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translate policy priorities into targeted campaigns, submissions and engagement activities
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undertake policy research, scanning and regulatory analysis to identify emerging risks, opportunities and trends
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produce high-quality submissions, white papers, position statements, executive briefings and thought leadership
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build relationships with government agencies, regulators, ministers' offices, industry bodies and research organisations
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represent AWA in consultations and forums
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facilitate engagement sessions with members and specialist networks
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establish and maintain governance frameworks for policy development
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monitor and refine advocacy strategies based on outcomes and stakeholder feedback
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provide mentorship to the Policy and Advocacy Officer.
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ABOUT YOU
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You're an experienced policy and advocacy professional with water policy knowledge gained from government, policy consulting and/or working in a water or utilities business.
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You're commercially and politically astute and comfortable navigating state and/or Commonwealth processes and building relationships with agencies, regulators and Ministers' offices.
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You're a confident, clear communicator who can translate technical detail, research and member insight into clear, evidence-based submissions, briefings and position papers.
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You're comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving team.
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You'll enjoy balancing policy work with hands-on member engagement - facilitating sessions, building relationships and extracting insight from the field.
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You're motivated by doing work that matters in a purpose-driven organisation, and keen to mentor a talented, early-career colleague as part of a small, high-performing team.
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📌 Senior Policy And Advocacy Officer (New South Wales)
🏢 Heart Talent
📍 New South Wales