Policy Officer

Policy Officer

Laurel House

Contract

$49.28 – $56.22 per hour

ABOUT LAUREL HOUSE

Laurel House provides a range of trauma-informed, evidence based, therapeutic services to victim-survivors of sexual assault, their families and supporters. 

We also develop and deliver a broad range of programs to adults, young people and children including the provision of therapeutic face-to-face counselling at our centres located at Launceston, Devonport and Burnie and through outreach locations across the North and North West Tasmania. Laurel House is partnering with the Tasmanian Government in the delivery of the North and North West Arch centres (multidisciplinary centres) for victim-survivors of sexual harm. 

Laurel House delivers the PAST (Prevention, Assessment, Support and Treatment) Program for children and young people (aged 17 years and under) who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours in North and North West Tasmania. Our team also provides community education and other capacity building programs focused on the prevention of sexual harm and on supporting parents, carers and service providers to better respond to disclosures of sexual violence. See our team here: https://www.laurelhouse.org.au/our-organisation/team

YOUR NEW ROLE

Laurel House is seeking an experienced and passionate Policy Officer to lead, coordinate and support our strategic policy and advocacy initiatives which includes embedding and amplifying the voices and expertise of victim-survivors in systemic advocacy and policy.  This is a fixed-term part-time (0.6-0.8FTE) position available to 30th June 2026. This role will collaborate across the organisation to identify and initiate the development of policy ideas and proposals, respond to requests for submissions or feedback, undertake policy review and research, provide analysis and advice, and plan and deliver stakeholder consultations. 

Policy work will be situated within and responsive to the state and national policy landscape across all issues relating to sexual violence responses. This role will involve engaging with the lived experiences of victim-survivors, ensuring that their diverse expertise informs systemic advocacy and change.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

• Experience working within the health, community and/or human services sector with previous experience in policy and advocacy and/or projects.
• Demonstrates research, analytical and information management skills including the ability to use these to formulate, interpret, analyse and evaluate policy and program initiatives.
• Knowledge or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of human sexuality, the impacts and dynamics of sexual harm, and the intersectional and gendered drivers of sexual violence.
• Ability to develop high quality, contemporary briefings, reports, and submissions.
• Effective community and stakeholder engagement skills and ability to establish and maintain strong networks and partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks including the ability to incorporate trauma-informed, strengths-based and rights-based frameworks.
• Written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills, negotiation, conflict management, and report writing skills.
• Existing or ability to quickly acquire a working knowledge of Tasmanian legislation and policies pertaining to sexual assault, child protection and family violence.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

As a valued member of the Laurel House team, you will be supported in your role. We offer: 

• A challenging and rewarding role, working alongside a range of stakeholders to create meaningful change.
• Flexible working conditions.
• Competitive salary and packaging provisions.
• The opportunity to extend your skills and knowledge through generous training budget and regular professional supervision (both internal and paid external).

As a Public Benevolent Institution, Laurel House employees receive tax-effective salary packaging opportunities including $15,899 each year tax free.  This means you can increase the value of your take-home pay. 

LAUREL HOUSE’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY 

Laurel House values the expertise, lived experience and cultural wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, migrant, culturally and linguistically diverse, people with disability and those who have experienced sexual and family violence. Applicants from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply, as are people with parenting or caring responsibilities.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE  

Laurel House is a Child and Youth Safe Organisation.  We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and have systems to protect children and young people from abuse. We take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with our policies and procedures. We actively work to listen to and empower children and to providing an inclusive and safe environment for all children and young people. In particular, we are committed to promoting cultural safety and to ensuring that the diverse needs of children and young people are met. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Please refer to our website www.laurelhouse.org.au for an overview of our services and a copy of the position description (under Our Organisation - Career Opportunities).

FURTHER ENQUIRIES

Contact Lucy Mercer-Mapstone on lucy@laurelhouse.org.au or 03 6334 2740; or Claire Tonks (Operations Manager) at claire.tonks@laurelhouse.org.au or 03 6334 2740.

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