Senior Policy and Research Officer

Australian Human Rights Commission

Sydney NSW (Hybrid)

Government - Federal (Government and Defence)

Contract/Temp, Full time, Part time

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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.

Our Policy Section 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, and make recommendations to government to fully implement Australia’s human rights obligations. 

Are you passionate about human rights and ready to make a meaningful impact? We are looking for a dedicated and experienced professional to play a key role in advancing Commission work on cross-cutting human rights issues. In this role, you will provide high level surge capacity for the Commission to ensure that human rights considerations are part of public debates on key social and policy issues. 

This full-time / part time, non - ongoing position will initially be available until 30 June 2026. It offers a competitive salary range of 115,892 - 129,580 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

The key duties of the position include:

What Youll Do:

Undertake research, consultation and engagement on topical human rights issues, and lead the drafting of reports, submissions, briefings and other documents.

Provide strategic and high-level advice to the Commission on key human rights issues.

Lead and provide oversight to others in conducting, research, consultation and engagement on human rights issues and in advancing the Commissions strategic priorities more broadly. 

Strategically maintain and nurture complex networks of internal and external stakeholders across a range of constituencies, communities, government agencies and organisations to support project objectives and priorities.

Develop and maintain effective relationships with government, community and other key stakeholders.

Identify opportunities for additional resourcing and contribute to funding proposals for future activities. 

Lead a collaborative intersectional approach to engagement with the Commissioners and staff across the Commission to progress topical human rights priorities. 

Eligibility

What Were Looking For:

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience in law, social sciences or relevant field.

Demonstrated expertise on human rights and practical experience of applying them in policy and research.

Expertise in conducting research and providing complex policy advice on human rights issues with an intersectional lens.

Project management skills including an ability to manage competing priorities, experience in coordinating resources and responding flexibly to changing work demands.

Demonstrated capacity for setting strategic direction and achieving outcomes in a human rights, social policy or similar context. 

Demonstrated ability to manage resources, build effective teams, harness internal and external expertise to achieve results.

High level of resilience and demonstrated ability to respond flexibly to maintain momentum and achieve objectives under pressure or in difficult situations.

Exceptional relationship management skills which ensure partner/stakeholder interests (internal and external) are recognised and managed successfully.

Exceptional communication skills including demonstrated ability to communicate with influence and negotiate persuasively to resolve conflicts and facilitate agreement on mutually beneficial solutions.

Notes

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, youll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If youre 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 06 October 2025

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).

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment 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 this position is advertised as Non-Ongoing. The successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to 30 June 2026. If extended, the maximum period will be two years in total. The merit pool / list 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 non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

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.

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Sophia Rinaldis, A/g,

NOTE: Never make payment to any employer, person, company, contractor or agency to get hired for a Job.

Senior Policy Executive via sophia.rinaldis@humanrights.gov.au