Policy and Research Manager

The inTouch Policy and Research Manager will have a key role leading inTouch’s strategic policy and research activities, building a framework for victim survivor advocacy, systemic change across the sector and operational growth.

Status:	Ongoing
Hours:	Full time
Location:	Melbourne
Pay rates:	SCHADS 7 + Salary Packaging + Superannuation

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (inTouch) provides person-centred, integrated and culturally responsive family violence services to people from migrant and refugee communities across Victoria. We have assisted over 30,000 women and children experiencing family violence throughout our 40 years of operation, providing a holistic service that centres the experiences of victim-survivors in everything we do.

inTouch works across the family violence continuum, providing culturally informed early intervention, case management, programs for men who use violence, legal advice, crisis recovery and enhanced capacity-building across the sector and community. We are proud to provide high-level leadership and guidance to all levels of government with our evidence-based, victim-survivor informed advocacy and policy work.

We are a unique and vital service, with specialist expertise working with people of migrant and refugee
backgrounds. This is reflected in our workforce, which is comprised primarily of people who are migrants
and refugees themselves – the inTouch team is from over 20 different countries and communities globally.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Policy and Research Manager will have a key role leading inTouch’s strategic policy and research activities to drive advocacy, systemic change and growth. The role will work closely with the inTouch Executive team to build the evidence base for inTouch’s service and program delivery and build a strong foundation for advocacy across government, sector, media and community service providers.

Key focus areas include:

• Lead the development of an outcomes measurement framework to demonstrate our impact and support organisational growth. 
• Drive inTouch’s policy and advocacy work, facilitating opportunities for collaboration with government on policy development and funding arrangements. 
• Progress inTouch’s policy agenda through strategic engagement with government and parliamentary processes and independent inquiries by preparing reports, submissions and briefings. 
• Work with staff across inTouch to identify systemic issues and relationship opportunities arising from inTouch’s client services and capacity building work.
• Support inTouch leadership and staff to identify, understand and respond to social policy trends, new and emerging patterns of family violence, key policy issues impacting migrant and refugee communities to influence the service delivery, workforce management and client support. 
• Lead engagement with the NOOR Survivor Advocate Group on policy, research and advocacy opportunities, ensuring the group is well supported through trauma-informed and lived-experience engagement best practices, and clear on purpose.
• Drive strategies through policy and research to deliver greater impact from lived experience engagement. 
• Lead the development of a research agenda that establishes a high-quality evidence-based research program and reports that influence government and sector actions.  
• Promote the use of innovative methods of research and evaluation to solve complex challenges and deepen culturally responsive evaluation practices. 
• Leading the implementation of research findings by translating findings into the design and development of internal programs and service delivery, including training and development.   
• Foster an inclusive, supportive environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. 
• Align team efforts with organisational goals and program objectives, ensuring effective cross-departmental collaboration. 

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

Essential

• Tertiary or postgraduate qualification in a relevant field, such as community development, social policy, social work, government policy or law.
• At least 4 years leadership experience in policy or research role, or equivalent.
• Experience in a social policy role, with a demonstrated ability to analyse and develop strategic policy and research agendas.
• Experience producing high quality submissions, reports and briefings.
• Experience developing an outcomes framework, with a demonstrated understanding of impact measurement and data collection.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor communication to a wide range of audiences.
• Understanding of family violence, multicultural and migrant and refugee policy settings, challenges and opportunities for reform.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Victorian and national violence landscape, including current family violence reforms.
• Experience working with migrant and refugee or multicultural communities.
• Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

Personal Attributes

• High ethical standards and alignment to inTouch values, acting with integrity and maintaining confidentially.
• A change agent, with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Solutions-focused with a curious mind and a natural problem-solving ability.
• Pro-active and accountable, leading with emotional intelligence and the ability to provide constructive feedback and have sensitive discussions.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with your resume and a short cover letter referring to the key selection criteria in the Position Description found here.

Candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly with experience of migration or refugee journeys are strongly encouraged to apply.

For further information or to submit an application, contact recruitment@intouch.org.au using the subject line: Policy and Research Manager.

Application will close on Monday 12th August 2024, with the first round of interviews held week commencing Thursday 15th August 2024.

All applicants must have the right to work in Australia and will need to undergo a National Police Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencing employment.