About us

The Lost Dogs’ Home is one of Australia’s most iconic animal welfare charities, caring for over 15,000 lost and abandoned dogs and cats each year.

You’ll be joining a dynamic, friendly and growing fundraising team and will have the opportunity to utilise your advocacy and policy development skills to inspire government and community action to improve the welfare of animals in Victoria.

If you have a passion for animals and are excited about the prospect of using your advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills to drive meaningful change we would love to hear from you! As the organisation continues to evolve, this is a genuinely exciting moment to be joining one of the country’s largest animal welfare charities.
  
About the Role

Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, this newly developed role is responsible for the design and delivery of The Lost Dogs' Home's advocacy strategy to mobilise the government and broader community to improve health, welfare, and outcomes for lost and abandoned animals.   

Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Collaboratively developing an advocacy strategy and operational plan that will effect real change.
• Leading the development and maintenance of a strong body of evidence to support the LDH advocacy work and campaigning activities.
• Reviewing existing literature, collating, and organising qualitative and quantitative data, keeping up to date with government and political themes and schedules.
• Analysing policy in support of the LDH developing robust policy positions and recommendations in support of LDH's advocacy objectives.
• Drafting policy submissions, briefing papers and other publications that effectively communicate and promote our advocacy objectives.
• Supporting the promotion of the LDH’s promotion of its purpose to relevant elected representatives and public officials in the interests of advancing its animal welfare provision.
• Working with the Director of Operations and Director of Veterinary Services for input and direction on policy development.
• Establishing linkages and liaison with key agencies and stakeholders on policy issues, including government, in partnership with the Head of Media and Government Relations.
• Keeping abreast of and provide information and/or analysis of party policies as they relate to the LDH’s purpose to the CEO and relevant Executive.
• Preparing reports and briefing notes in relation to the LDH’s policies and advocacy strategic insights when required, for the CEO.
• Developing systems, processes and/or tools are in place as appropriate for the LDH to be able to measure against agreed advocacy objectives.

About you

You will bring exceptional interpersonal skills and the natural ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders. In addition, you will have achieved past success in running advocacy or stakeholder engagement campaigns that have resulted in positive action. 

You will also have: 

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, politics, political science or related disciplines or equivalent relatable experience.
• 5+ years' experience in the development of policies, position statements and briefing papers. 
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with a range of stakeholders. 
• Comprehensive understanding of animal welfare legislation and policy. 
• Excellent social research skills and ability to apply analysis and critical thinking skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to apply contemporary research principles and practices. 
• Experience in the community or charity sector, policy or advocacy, preferably within animal welfare.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and take personal responsibility for prioritising and managing workload. 
• A true passion and commitment for LDH's vision, mission and values including a desire to improve health and welfare outcomes for lost and abandoned animals.

What we can offer you: 

• Access to generous discounts at our private veterinary clinic (Frank Samways Veterinary Clinic) 
• Opportunity to attend regular social activities and events. 
• A generous financial contribution to work related learning and development activities and up to 5 days of study leave per year.
• Great career development opportunities and the opportunity to gain skills in other areas of fundraising and animal welfare sector.
• The support of management and team members in achieving your goals.
• Opportunity to effect real change and advance animal welfare outcomes in Victoria. 
• The chance to work in a collaborative and supportive environment. 

How to apply

If you are ready to take on a new challenge and have the skills and experience to be successful in this role, please click on the “Apply” button, ensuring you have attached a current resume and a covering letter outlining the reasons for your interest in and suitability for this role.

The successful applicant will be required to complete satisfactory background screening checks.

The Lost Dogs’ Home is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Only candidates with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.