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Policy and Advocacy Lead
Commissioner for Children and Young People
Job reference: 841526
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Commissioner for Children and Young People

Job reference: 841526
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Commissioner for Children and Young People
The South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) is an independent statutory authority established under the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016 (“the Act”)  
The Commissioner promotes and advocates for the rights, development and wellbeing of all children and young people in South Australia, particularly those who are vulnerable and at-risk. 
The Act sets out the Commissioner’s role, including advocating and promoting children and young people’s participation in the making of decisions that affect their lives.
The Act specifically requires the Commissioner to advise and make recommendations to Ministers, State authorities and other bodies (including non-Government bodies), undertake and commission research, and prepare and publish reports on matters related to the rights, development and wellbeing of South Australia’s children and young people at the systemic level. 
The Commissioners commitment to having children and young people’s voices at the forefront means you’ll be empowered to lead transformative policy initiatives, influence state and national reforms, and foster strong relationships across government and community networks.



Purpose of the Role
This pivotal role places you in a leadership position where your expertise will help shape policy and advocacy platforms that keep children and young people’s needs and voices at the forefront of service design and decisions that impact their lives across all sectors and areas of government.
Reporting to the Director and working closely with the Commissioner, the Policy and Advocacy Lead will monitor and analyse state and federal government policy along with legislative and regulatory developments that impact on children and young people across South Australia.
This role ensures the Office of the CCYP has an up-to-date understanding of the SA public policy landscape and is a leading contributor to influencing positive systems change for children and young people. You will leverage your extensive government and non-government organisation networks to influence decision-making in alignment with the Commissioner’s strategic goals. The Policy and Advocacy Lead is responsible for developing and writing submissions, policy position statements and devising campaign strategies to achieve improved wellbeing and outcomes for children and young people in South Australia.

Reporting / Working Relationships
Direct working relationship

  • Reports to the Director, Partnerships & Impact
  • Works closely with the Commissioner, Office of CCYP leaders and staff

Maintains close and effective working relationships with

  • Key policy makers and advocacy and peak bodies
  • Ministerial and public service staff across key departments
  • Interstate and National colleagues in like roles for Commissioners, Advocates and Guardians
  • Staff and young people within CCYP

Role Responsibilities and Key Outcomes

Key responsibilities of the Policy & Advocacy Lead, include creating high-quality, evidence-based reports and policy submissions that directly contribute to the Office of CCYP advocacy plan and strategic campaigns.
Working closely with Office staff, this role supports our work as an active and effective partner and collaborator with children and young people, government and communities, an impactful and independent thought leader; and champion that influences services and systems to put children and young people at the forefront of decisions that impact their lives and in the codesign of services developed to meet their needs.  

Policy & Advice

  • Draft policy options, conduct research and prepare documents, correspondence, articles, briefs, and papers as requested.
  • Provide expert advice to the Commissioner and senior leadership on political and regulatory developments that may impact Children and Young People statewide.
  • Lead the development of policy submissions, briefing notes, and advocacy materials.
  • Negotiate, develop, and provide recommendations on fair and effective social policy from a child and youth perspective and informed by research and evidence.
  • Draft responses to major inquiries, proposed legislative change or other political, educational, or systemic change developments.
  • Monitor passage of Bills in Hansard and report on Parliamentary debate where relevant.
  • Develop and maintain a catalogue to capture positions taken, policies and public comment.
  • Provide material, ideas, and support to the Communications Manager for use in sector news alert and social media.

Strategic Advocacy

  • Develop an advocacy plan aligned with the Commissioner’s priorities and strategy.
  • Proactively monitor and develop responses to emerging policy issues and trends.
  • Inform evidence-based practice, advocacy, and campaigning, through direct research and awareness of government policy direction, commitments and areas of focus.
  • Stay current with policy trends, legislative changes, and government decisions affecting children and young people, and the broader sectors that support them.
  • Proactively work with the Commissioner to ensure the Office is relevant by providing analysis and insights to inform advocacy priorities and policy positions.
  • Work closely with the Policy, Research and Data Officers to translate research and data into compelling advocacy campaigns.

Relationships & Collaboration

  • Liaise with interstate and national colleagues on shared advocacy campaigns and support the Commissioner’s attendance at ANZCCG with briefings and advice as required.
  • Sourcing and connecting partners, stakeholders, experts, and other networks as required.
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with relevant officials, industry bodies, and advocacy groups through clear communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
  • Respond to public inquires to the Office within a trauma-informed framework, establish a procedure and data report that captures inquiry themes, presenting issues and systemic trends for elevation in advocacy as required.

Collaborative Leadership

  • Manage performance targets for yourself and in alignment with the objectives and workplan of your team through regular monitoring, feedback, and alignment with agreed objectives set by the Commissioner and Director.
  • Demonstrate initiative, collaboration and open communication with team members across the office
  • Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, role modelling respectful behaviours at all times (noting the office employs and supports young people and volunteers experiencing their first work environment).
  • Take personal accountability by identifying and reporting incidents, hazards, and injuries in accordance with policy & procedure.
  • Cooperate and comply with reasonable instructions of line management and WHS Officers.
  • Work with a high level of personal and professional integrity and motivation.

Key Capabilities
Essential

  • Tertiary qualifications in relevant field (BA, Int Politics, Law)
  • Exceptional writing skills and proven success in communicating impactful policy and advocacy narratives for government, decision makers, children, young people and families.
  • Established networks in state government departments, particularly in education, child protection, human services and health, justice and child protection
  • Significant experience in researching and analysing a broad range of literature to interpret, review and respond to policies and plans to impact on systems and service design.
  • Proven ability to interpret and communicate quantitative and qualitative data and evidence.
  • Effectively identify, collect, organise, and document data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation.
  • Build and maintain constructive working relationships characterised by a high level of trust, acceptance, cooperation and mutual regard.
  • Detailed knowledge of the social policy frameworks and public policy development, including knowledge of the interface between local, state and commonwealth governments, their policies and political drivers impacting on children and young people in South Australia.
  • Effectively organises multiple tasks / assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work that is accurate, thorough and on time.
  • A collaborative team player who models our values and our ethos as a learning organisation

Desirable

  • An understanding of place-based approaches and/or education and early years systems.
  • Experience in public relations, campaigning or political advisory roles

Special Conditions

The Commissioner has gained amendments to the Public Sector Variations 2010 to employ people under a “direct employment model”. The Variation Regulations, titled: Public Sector (Commissioner for Children and Young People) Variation Regulations 2017, came into effect in 2018. Staff are employed under Part 7 of the Public Sector Act 2009 and are considered a Public Sector employee.

  • Some out of hours work is required and Inter and Intra-state travel may be required.
  • The incumbent will be required to achieve performance targets as negotiated and mutually agreed with the Commissioner.
  • The successful applicant is required to gain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) screening prior to being employed, which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.
  • The incumbent will be required to undertake RAN – Responding to Abuse and Neglect Training full-day course and the updated online course posted online every three years.
  • An appropriate tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline and/or relevant vocational experience and knowledge.
  • Australian residency or current work permits (responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit).

The Commissioner for Children and Young People is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Enquiries and Application

As part of your application process, you will be required to submit a resume and a cover letter address the job requirements.

Applications via this link only. Enquiries can be directed to Lynda Forrest - Director, Partnership and Impact Lead via email lynda.forrest2@sa.gov.au or phone 08 8226 3355

Applications close: 26/04/2026

 

 

 


Applications close: 26/04/2026 11:45 PM

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.