Our Vision: to End Family Violence by Working with Men

Policy Officer

Organisational Environment:

Our Vision: To end family violence by working with men.

Our Mission: NTV/MRS provides leadership and participates in policy, practice and resource development, service delivery and advocacy to respond to and prevent male family violence by addressing men’s use of violence, power and privilege.

Our Values: Accountability, Gender Equity, Leadership, Change and Respect.

A key value is Accountability which can simply be stated as:

“We say what we do, do what we say and let people know, and we take responsibility for seeking help.”

This is not just about better regulation, it’s about better articulation of our expectations.

Accountability in action in an operational sense means that we:

 Know what we’re accountable for – for what and to whom.

 Do what we say we’re going to do and match outcomes against expectations.

 Report what we’ve done, what we do and what we will do and do this without being asked.

Our Beliefs: NTV/MRS conducts its work on the following beliefs:

 We are a pro-feminist organisation that acknowledges the gendered nature of family violence;

 The safety of women and children is central to what we do, and their voices must be heard;

 Man’s use of violence is a choice and men must take responsibility for their behavior;

 The definition of “family” includes same-sex, and mixed families; and,

 We are committed to demonstrating diversity in our organisation.

Position Objective:

The role of Policy Officer is to assist in further developing, continuously improving, implementing and communicating NTV/MRS strategy, policies and minimum standards ensuring adherence by the organisation, its members and all other stakeholders/members within the male family violence sector. The role is part of the Strategy and Communication Group and is important in terms of ensuring that NTV/MRS sets the benchmark and continues to lead as a major peak body within the family violence sector.

Key Responsibilities:

A break-down of the duties of the role is as follows –

Policy Development

• Deliver strategic policy advice to the CEO and Communication and Strategy Manager.
• Coordinate policy and research within the male family violence sector.
• Formulate and conduct regular client and family violence sector consultation to inform policy and advocacy.
• Keep all internal and external stakeholders informed of policy developments.
• Lead and contribute to responses to external policy and system development.
• Participate in relevant reference and work groups, meetings and consultations.
• Develop policy positions related to the prevention of male family violence.
• Communicate the policies and practices to members, the community sector and government when required
• Maintain up-to-date in your knowledge of Family Violence including relevant services, support agencies etc. and remain abreast of any new policy or practice changes and activities.

Stakeholder Relationship Development and Management

• Assist the Communication and Strategy Manager to ensure that NTV/MRS stakeholder engagement and communication activity is firmly embedded within the overall organisational strategy.
• Ensure along with the Communication and Strategy Manager that NTV/MRS’s reputation, brand and relationships with various stakeholder groups including the public and media are maintained and enhanced.
• Provide advice and direction to both internal and external stakeholders regarding broader systems development and quality practice with regard to conversations with men who use violence towards partners and children.
• Build strong working relationships with key sector partners including Government departments, Women’s Perak bodies and other community sector organisations.

Direct reports

• Nil

Significant Working Relationships:

• Internal:

• All NTV/MRS Staff

• External

• NTV/MRS Members
• Other Peak Bodies and service providers within the family violence sector
• State and Commonwealth governments
• Contractors, consultants and advisers
• Men’s Behaviour Change Program providers

Personal Specifications:

• Proven excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Proven excellent presentation skills
• Proven policy and advocacy skills
• Must satisfy a police check

• Project management skills

• Appropriate tertiary training or knowledge in family violence sector or related field
• Proven knowledge of legal and operational context of NGOs
• Demonstrated knowledge of government and non-government agencies involved with family violence

• Team focused
• Customer-focused
• Attention to detail
• Self-directed to achieve individual, team and organisational goals
• Demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with all levels within an organisation and externally
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Good interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Excellent motivation
• Consistent work ethic

Selection Criteria:

Essential

• Commitment to pro-feminist approach and values of NTV/MRS

• Demonstrated knowledge of the current family violence reform system including and understanding and knowledge of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and the Recommendations.

• Experience with government policy and program development

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated experience with stakeholder engagement

• Demonstrated capacity to work to deadlines, tight timeframes, and to a high standard

• Demonstrated capacity to work independently and with a team

• Demonstrated knowledge of family violence intervention and/or prevention

Desirable

• Experience in the men’s family violence intervention sector

• Project management experience

• Experience with research or data collection and management

NTV/MRS Policy Officer Position Description – June 20161