The Stroke Foundation is a national charity that partners with the community to prevent, treat and beat stroke. We stand alongside stroke survivors and their families, healthcare professionals and researchers. We build community awareness and foster new thinking. We support survivors on their journey to live the best possible life after stroke.

Our Values of Courage, Excellence, Compassion, Integrity and Leadership are an integral part of our culture, brand and positioning, and inform our decisions and behaviours in our dealings internally within the organisation, and externally with our stakeholders.

About the program

The Policy & Advocacy Division is responsible for ensuring the Stroke Foundation is positioned as the pre-eminent authority on issues pertaining to stroke for Federal and State Members of Parliament and their staff, public servants and key opinion leaders in accordance with NSF strategic objectives.

The Policy & Advocacy Division is responsible for managing government stakeholder relations for the organisation, identifying, developing and maintaining relationships with key parliamentary and departmental contacts to further the NSF’s goals. The Division monitors and influences health policy. It develops papers and submissions in response to policy and legislative proposals.

What the role involves

The primary responsibility of the policy and advocacy research assistant will be to maintain and update the existing internal policy matrix. The policy matrix is used by various divisions within the organisation to guide our position on key issues. Various internal policy statements are developed based on available evidence.

The policy and advocacy research assistant will be required to review existing position statements for accuracy, currency and relevance. Desktop analysis will be required to determine if new and emerging research warrants a shift in position. Preparation of revised text to reflect changes to the policy matrix will also be required.

Program targets/objectives

• Systematic review and updating of internal position statements supporting the Stroke Foundation policy matrix.
• Strong research/desktop analysis skills.
• Production of high quality revisions to existing policy matrix documents.
• Capacity to identify new and emerging issues that may warrant development of new policy matrix position statements, and ability to then draft new statements where required.

This position would ideally suit a second/third or fourth year university student seeking to develop practical skills to support a career in government, media, politics or health administration. It would also suit a graduate seeking to strengthen their CV with relevant work experience.

Skills: Ability to review and evaluate policy and research Desktop analysis and research skills Clear and effective writing style Organised and strong attention to detail Ability to deliver outcomes in a timely manner

Experience: Strong grasp of the written word, with extensive writing experience Research and evaluation skills Knowledge of Australian health system and/or policy (desirable)

Application process

Please click apply now and complete the expression of interest process. Any enquiries regarding the role, please contact Megan Werner (Volunteer Program Coordinator) or Suzanne Larsson (Volunteer Program Coordinator) on 9918 7220.

The Stroke Foundation embraces cultural diversity and strongly encourages suitably qualified people from all cultural backgrounds to apply.