Manager, Policy

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Manager, Policy. Terms and conditions vacancy

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is Australia’s premier professional association for psychologists with over 24,000 members and a long established national presence. The APS is managed from the National Office in the CBD of Melbourne.

This role is operational and dedicated to managing the APS policy and advocacy responses to issues in the external environment relevant to the professional practice of psychology. The role includes identifying and critically analysing initiatives, policy, and proposed and current legislation that impact the profession of psychology and/or the psychological health and welfare of the community. The role involves initiating and developing written and oral responses to government, professional bodies and related organisations. This role has three direct reports.

To be successful in this role, you hold relevant tertiary qualifications and have demonstrated capacity to critically analyse government policy and legislation. You will possess the ability to work on multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment and have excellent research and written communication skills.   

Applications, addressing the selection criteria, as set out in the Position Description, should be addressed to Jan-Louise Godfrey, Human Resources Advisor at [email protected] by COB Friday 6 July 2018.

Position Description:

1. Organisational Objectives

The mission of the APS is to advance the discipline and profession of psychology for the benefit of its members and the communities they serve.

The organisational Strategic Objectives for the APS as specified in the 2015 – 2017 Strategic Plan are to:

• Foster a collaborative approach to issues among APS members and the psychology community that grows the influence of psychology collectively, while valuing and promoting the diversity;
• Enhance the value of APS membership;
• Ensure the APS is the voice of psychology in Australia;
• Foster and promote the knowledge base of the discipline and the profession of psychology; and 
• Promote the value of APS psychologists to the community.

2. Position in context

The Manager, Policy role is located in the Professional Practice team. The Professional Practice team undertakes a number of roles:

• Initiating commentary about, or responding to, policy initiatives of government and other national agencies regarding the practice of psychology;
• Providing advice, representation and advocacy regarding the practice of psychology;
• Developing professional standards and resources to support members in their professional practice;
• Responding to member queries about the practice of psychology; and
• Providing up-to-date information to members on matters pertaining to professional practice.

The Manager, Policy reports directly to the Executive Manager (Professional Practice) and has three direct reports. The role is operational and dedicated to managing the APS policy and advocacy responses to issues in the external environment relevant to the professional practice of psychology. The role includes identifying and critically analysing initiatives, policy and proposed and current legislation that impact on the profession of psychology and/or the psychological health and welfare of the community. The role involves initiating and developing written and oral responses to government, professional bodies and related organisations.

3.  Key Responsibilities

Policy and advocacy work

• Monitor, critically analyse and respond to national and state/territory government initiatives, policy and proposed legislation that impact on the profession of psychology and/or the psychological health and welfare of the community.
• Drive effective liaison with APS State/Territory Committees to identify and respond to local issues impacting on professional practice at jurisdictional levels.
• Provide briefing papers to the Executive Manager Professional Practice and Executive Director on matters that impact on the profession of psychology and/or the psychological health and welfare of the community.
• Initiate, develop and write high quality submissions, position papers and policy statements on issues relevant to psychological practice, including consideration of the legal context and consequences for the practice of psychology.
• Undertake representation to government and other bodies regarding issues relevant to the professional interests of psychology.
• Develop effective channels of communication with APS members to inform the APS response to submissions and consultations.  
• Work collaboratively with other APS teams on matters relevant to the professional interests of psychology, including providing advice on proposed government initiatives and legislation.
• In consultation with relevant APS staff, develop proposals for projects or initiatives emanating from the above policy work.

External stakeholder management and representation
 

• Develop effective working relationships with external stakeholders including government departments, the Psychology Board of Australia, health agencies and other relevant peak bodies.
• Represent the APS on various committees and consultative forums relevant to the professional practice of psychology.

Member support

• Where relevant, develop resources to support members in professional practice (e.g., how to comply with legislative changes).
• Provide information to members on key policy matters relevant to practice using various APS communication channels (e.g., InPsych, APS Matters, podcasts, webinars, etc.).

Management
 

• Manage work flow in the Policy team.
• Participate in the recruitment of staff for the Professional Practice team, especially the Policy sub-team.
• Manage the performance of the Policy team members by setting clear goals and performance expectations, providing appropriate feedback in a timely manner and coaching and acting decisively to deal with team members who do not meet standards.
• Develop Policy team member competencies aligned with the APS’s and individual needs.
• Ensure the Society’s policies and procedures are adhered to by Policy team members.
• Develop a positive culture in the Policy team.

Other
 

• Oversee reporting of the team Key Performance Indicators for submissions, advocacy and lobbying
• Provide the secretariat to the Regional, Rural and Remote Advisory Group to the APS Board
• Collaborate with the Project Officer (Indigenous Psychology) to provide a secretariat to the Indigenous Psychology Advisory Group
• Support the Project Officer (Indigenous Psychology) to implement the APS RAP.

4.  Key Contacts

Internal

• Executive Manager Professional Practice
• Professional Practice Team members
• Other teams in the APS

External

• Government departments and agencies
• Psychology Board of Australia
• APS members including State Committees, Colleges and Interest Groups
• Professional associations and relevant peak bodies

5.  Required skills and attributes (selection criteria)

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated capacity to work on multiple tasks, manage competing priorities and work to deadlines in a complex and fast-paced work environment.
• Outcomes-focused with attention to detail.
• Ability to work co-operatively in a team environment.
• Capacity to participate in effective networking and build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Capacity to conceptualise, plan and lead the development, implementation and evaluation of projects.

Qualifications, Technical Knowledge, Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g. health policy, law, politics, psychology) and experience in positions involving policy development and/or advocacy.
• Familiarity with government structures, policy processes and parliamentary/legislative practice.
• Demonstrated capacity to critically analyse government policy and legislation.
• Demonstrated capacity to comprehend complex issues and think strategically.
• Excellent research and written communication skills with demonstrated experience (e.g., submissions or reports to government or peak bodies, position statements).
• Understanding of the Australian healthcare system.

Desirable

• Registered psychologist.
• Awareness of APS objectives, policies and procedures.
• Awareness of issues relevant to the professional practice of psychology.
• Experience working with a professional association or other member-based organisation.
• Experience in managing staff and developing effective teams.