Senior Adviser: Advocacy and Government Relations
Universities Australia is the national voice of Australia's 38 universities.
What we say, and do not say, carries weight for a sector that shapes the country.
We argue the sector's case to government, to the parliament and to the public.
We put whole‐of‐sector positions on the table, run campaigns on the issues that matter, and make sure the national conversation about higher education is better informed for our being in it.
ABOUT UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA
Universities Australia is the national voice of Australia's 38 universities.
What we say, and do not say, carries weight for a sector that shapes the country.
We argue the sector's case to government, to the parliament and to the public.
We put whole‐of‐sector positions on the table, run campaigns on the issues that matter, and make sure the national conversation about higher education is better informed for our being in it.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Senior Adviser: Advocacy and Government Relations supports UA's engagement with government, parliament and members and helps turn organisational priorities into effective advocacy.
Reporting to the Head of Advocacy and Government Relations, the role provides high-quality writing, coordination, political and parliamentary intelligence and practical support across UA's advocacy program.
This is an execution-focused role.
You will help ensure submissions are planned early and delivered well, advocacy materials are clear and persuasive, members have the information they need,
government engagement is properly prepared and followed through, and the organisation maintains
a strong picture of what is happening across parliament and government.
You will work closely with the Policy and Strategic Communications teams to turn UA's policy positions into effective advocacy.
Policy colleagues will lead the development of substantive policy positions; this role will help translate them into clear, persuasive products and activity that are politically relevant and designed to influence decision-makers.
That means being comfortable moving between drafting a parliamentary brief, coordinating member input, preparing a meeting pack, checking a committee timetable, chasing actions from a stakeholder meeting and helping deliver a major advocacy moment.
This is a hands-on role, with a strong expectation that you take ownership of the detail and do what is needed to keep the work moving.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy and government relations
Support the Head of Advocacy and Government Relations to deliver UA's advocacy and government relations priorities.
Parliamentary and political intelligence
Monitor parliamentary, government and policy developments relevant to universities, including legislation, inquiries, committee processes, estimates, sitting programs and government consultations.
Maintain a reliable forward calendar of parliamentary and advocacy opportunities, deadlines and decision points.
Produce a concise policy and parliamentary brief for UA leadership and members identifying significant developments,



upcoming opportunities, risks and actions.
Provide timely alerts and short-form advice when developments require more immediate attention.
Maintain current information on portfolio responsibilities, committees, relevant parliamentary positions and key government contacts.
Support monitoring of Senate estimates, parliamentary inquiries and other processes, including questions on notice and government responses.
Submissions and advocacy products
Coordinate UA's internal submissions process from identification of an opportunity through to lodgement and subsequent advocacy.
Work with policy leads to establish clear timelines, responsibilities, member consultation requirements, clearance points and advocacy opportunities for each submission.
Maintain a central submissions and advocacy pipeline so upcoming work is visible and properly sequenced across the organisation.
Draft and edit executive summaries, recommendations, advocacy briefs, correspondence and other material, working from policy positions developed with subject‐matter experts.
Help ensure submissions are concise, well written, strategically framed and useful beyond lodgement.
Translate longer or technical policy material into accessible advocacy products for ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and members.
Coordinate preparation for parliamentary and government hearings.
Maintain templates, processes and quality controls that improve the consistency and efficiency of UA's submissions and advocacy work.
Member engagement and support
Support UA's government relations network and other relevant member groups.
Provide members with timely political and parliamentary intelligence, briefings, key messages and advocacy materials that can be readily used in their own engagement.
Coordinate member input into relevant submissions and advocacy activity and ensure member perspectives are appropriately captured.
Help maintain regular two-way communication so UA understands what members are hearing across jurisdictions and members understand UA's advocacy priorities and activity.
Respond promptly and practically to member requests for advocacy information and support.
Working across UA
Work closely with Policy colleagues to ensure advocacy activity is grounded in robust policy and evidence.
Work closely with Strategic Communications colleagues to ensure political advocacy and public communications reinforce the same core messages.
Bring upcoming political and parliamentary opportunities to colleagues early enough to inform policy development, communications planning and member engagement.
Contribute to coordinated planning across advocacy, policy and communications in support of UA priorities.




Pitch in across the organisation during major advocacy moments and periods of high workload.
CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to turn complex material into clear, concise and persuasive briefs, correspondence and advocacy products.
Experience in government relations, public affairs, policy, parliament, government, a peak body or a comparable environment, with a sound understanding of parliamentary and government processes.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, detailed work and competing priorities in a fast‐paced environment.
Sound judgement, discretion and political awareness, including knowing what matters, what needs escalation and what needs to happen next.
Strong interpersonal and team-oriented skills, with the ability to work effectively with policy and strategic communications colleagues, senior executives and stakeholders across the political spectrum.
A practical, hands‐on approach and willingness to undertake both substantive and administrative work required to deliver an outcome.
Initiative, attention to detail and a strong commitment to following work through to completion.
Desirable
Experience drafting or coordinating submissions, briefs and advocacy materials for government, parliamentary or senior decision‐making audiences.
Experience supporting parliamentary engagement, advocacy campaigns or stakeholder engagement programs.
Experience working in a membership, peak‐body or similarly stakeholder‐focused organisation.
Knowledge of higher education, research, skills or related policy areas.
REPORTS TO
Head of Advocacy and Government Relations
DIRECT REPORTS
Nil
LOCATION
Canberra, or other capital city by negotiation
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time - initial 2-year contract
What we offer:
Competitive salary with options for 12%, 15.4% or 17% super depending on preference
Flexible hybrid work model, including remote days and core‐hours scheduling.
Salary packaging options that can improve your take home pay
Generous parental leave entitlements
FREE annual flu vaccinations
FREE parking
Access to free guidance and counselling through our Employee Assistance Program
A vibrant, inclusive culture.
Universities Australia welcomes people from all backgrounds and values the different experiences, perspectives and strengths each person brings.
We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, neurodivergent people, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Interstate residents will be considered for this role noting that travel will be expected from time to time.
TO APPLY:
To be considered your application must include your CV and a cover letter (700 words max.) which outlines your suitability for the role.
Applications close Wednesday 14th October *******:59pm.
Please email ****** if you have any queries about the role.
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📌 Senior Adviser: Advocacy And Government Relations (Canberra)
🏢 Universities Australia
📍 Canberra