About the Role

Are you a sharp policy thinker with a passion for youth advocacy and social justice?

Youth Action is looking for a Policy Officer to shape smart, impactful policy and advocacy positions that elevate the voices and priorities of young people across NSW. You’ll lead rapid research, track emerging issues, and develop clear, accessible policy content that informs public debate, drives systemic change, and supports effective advocacy and campaigning. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on collaboration, values young people’s lived experiences, and is ready to influence decisions that affect their lives.

This is your chance to:

Contribute to statewide policy reform that centres youth voice and equity

Turn complex issues into compelling policy positions and advocacy tools

Collaborate across campaigns, communications, and sector partnerships

Work in a small, purpose-driven team committed to justice, inclusion, and impact

You’ll work closely with the CEO, General Manager and Communications and Advocacy Officer to monitor trends, craft submissions, build alliances, and support youth-led participation in decision-making. With opportunities to contribute across research, narrative strategy, and campaigns, this is a great fit for a values-driven policy professional who wants their work to matter.

Join a small, passionate team leading social change in NSW. At Youth Action, we value collaboration, creativity, and genuine participation. You’ll be supported to bring bold ideas to life, work flexibly, and grow professionally—all while making a tangible difference in the lives of young people across the state.

Award Grade: Level 4.1-5.1, SCHADS

Full job description: https://bit.ly/dpdyapo

To apply: Please submit your resume along with a concise cover letter, that outlines your relevant experience and tells us why you're a great fit for this role, to [email protected]. We encourage you to refer to the “What You’ll Bring to the Role” section when preparing your application. Please note: Applications will not be considered unless they include both a resume and a cover letter.

Accountabilities

Research & Policy Analysis

Undertake rapid turnaround desk research and policy analysis to shape key messages for media engagement, op-eds, campaigns, digital content, and other strategic outputs on issues affecting young people.

Prepare and maintain briefing notes on key issues to support staff with up-to-date information about policy and trends in our areas of interest and advocacy.

Ensure all work is evidence-informed and aligned with the lived experiences and priorities of young people.

Develop policy position papers, policy briefs, and submissions including undertaking desktop research, stakeholder consultations and policy scoping and analysis.

Monitor political, legislative, sectoral and media developments to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for advocacy on youth issues.

Strategic Policy Influence & Narrative Shaping

Identify and leverage advocacy windows (e.g., budget cycles, inquiries, consultations) to proactively shape the policy agenda on youth issues.

Contribute to the development of the annual policy agenda in collaboration with young people, Youth Action members, and external stakeholders.

Co-develop compelling narrative frames and messaging to shift public discourse around young people.

Lead the development of policy content for campaigns, including calls to action, briefings for campaign spokespeople, and key advocacy resources.

Analyse the policy landscape to identify barriers and enablers for campaign goals, collaborating with the Communications and Advocacy Officer in building persuasive narratives.

Work closely with the Communications and Advocacy Officer to translate complex policy issues into accessible content, including factsheets, infographics, and website and social media content.

Maintain up-to-date stakeholder mapping and track influence pathways to support strategic engagement with decision-makers and advocacy priorities.

Partnerships & Alliances

Establish cross-sector alliances with other peak bodies, community organisations, and academics to strengthen shared policy positions and amplify youth-focused advocacy.

Coordinate joint submissions, sign-on letters, and sector responses to key issues affecting young people, aligning with broader coalitions where relevant.

Support aligned advocacy by providing Youth Action members with policy updates, talking points, and briefing sessions.

Ensure timely and effective sharing of policy insights across the Youth Action team to support integrated advocacy, campaigns, and program work.

Policy Campaign Integration

Contribute to campaign strategy development by aligning policy asks with communications messaging and timing.

Lead the development of policy content for campaigns, including calls to action, briefings for campaign spokespeople, and key advocacy resources.

Analyse the policy landscape to identify barriers and enablers for campaign goals, supporting the Communications and Advocacy Officer in building persuasive narratives.

Youth-Led Policy Leadership

Contribute to the facilitation of youth-led participation and consultation events on emerging issues, ensuring that the policy work reflects lived experiences and creative solutions from young people.

Support young people to engage in policy advocacy, including training on writing submissions, meeting with decision-makers, and media engagement.

Embed accountability to young people by reporting back on how their contributions have influenced advocacy and policy outcomes.

Policy Impact and Learning

Track the outcomes of policy and advocacy initiatives – including media uptake, political response, and policy change – to inform future strategy and strengthen Youth Action’s impact.

Contribute to the development and implementation of Youth Action’s organisation-wide impact and evaluation strategy, with a focus on capturing and applying learnings from policy and advocacy initiatives.

Apply insights from evaluation to strengthen policy work and ensure it remains responsive to the evolving needs of young people and the youth sector.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

Demonstrated experience developing and analysing policy content – such as submissions, position papers, or briefings – in a government, advocacy, campaigning, or social impact setting.

Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g. public policy, political science, law, social sciences) or equivalent real-world experience.

Outstanding research, writing and communication skills, with the ability to distil complex issues into clear and accessible content.

Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with an orientation toward relationship building and cross-sector collaboration.

Familiarity with policy processes and the political and legislative landscape in NSW and Australia.

Knowledge and commitment to youth participation and rights, and a rights-based approach to policy and advocacy, with experience engaging young people or lived-experience stakeholders.

Understanding of intersectionality and systemic disadvantage, and how they shape young people’s experiences and engagement with policy.

Knowledge of youth issues and the youth sector in NSW.

A proven ability to work independently, responsively and collaboratively in a fast-paced, purpose-driven team, meeting deadlines, and hitting project goals, as well as experience using real-time collaboration and project tools (e.g. SharePoint, Teams, Monday, etc) to manage shared work.

A values-driven mindset grounded in equity, inclusion, and social justice.

A current Working with Children Check and National Police Check clearance, or willingness to obtain both.

Working at Youth Action

Youth Action is the peak organisation representing young people and the services that support them in NSW. We have represented young people and the Youth Sector for over 30 years and are supported by over 150 Member organisations.

We have a safe, progressive, and equitable culture. We encourage all to apply, including LGBTIQA+, First Nations people, people with disability, and those from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Working at Youth Action is a great opportunity to grow in your chosen profession, build new skills, and gain experience that will support your career long into the future. We’re committed to supporting your professional development and progression, and you’ll be part of a team that values learning, collaboration, and purpose-driven work. You'll also enjoy time-in-lieu for any occasional after-hours or weekend work, 4 weeks of annual leave, and additional end-of-year leave.

Contact

Please send any queries to our General Manager [email protected]