Social Planning and Policy Officer

Social Planning and Policy Officer

Are you passionate in the area of health and wellbeing, social and community planning? Can you identify local issues, plan and advocate for the community to achieve positive outcomes?

Council is seeking a full time Social Planning and Policy Officer within the Community Services Department. The successful applicant will be a dynamic individual with experience in social planning and community development.

The position is primarily responsible for contributing to the preparation and delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Plan in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and the wider community. Ensuring it aligns with Council’s Strategic Plan, in accordance with local priorities and needs. The successful candidate will proactively develop internal and external partnerships to deliver optimal outcomes for the local community. 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking research, design, development and implementation of effective community strategies, policies, plans and advocacy approaches to facilitate high quality and responsive community programs, that enable healthy, connected and inclusive communities.

• Working in consultation with the Coordinator, the Social Planning and Policy Officer will work across Council, the community, partner organisations and other government departments and agencies to plan and deliver a broad range of Council policies, plans and position statements relating to social, health and wellbeing outcomes and changing community needs.

• Engage with community groups, service providers, partner organisations and other stakeholders to identify and understand current and future community needs, service gaps and trends.

• In consultation with the Coordinator, identify and lead initiatives within Council and with external partners to address identified social, health and service development priorities.

• Advocate to government and community agencies and organisations regarding policy, legislation, infrastructure, funding and services which contribute to population health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Provide appropriate advice and information to internal and external stakeholders on community, social, health and wellbeing strategies, plans and policies. 

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Qualifications and experience commensurate with those outlined at Skills, Qualifications and Experience of this position description.
• Significant experience in research, data analysis, and identifying, developing and supporting the implementation of effective social and community plans and policies that inform and facilitate a broad range of high quality and responsive social policy directions, and major initiatives across Council.
• Relevant experience and skills in developing strategies, policies and initiatives that provide positive social and community outcomes and benefits to a local community.
• Experience managing and delivering successful projects and the ability to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and agreed timeframes.
• Demonstrated experience in internal and external community engagement, including working across Council, community stakeholders and partners, and government departments and agencies.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, with excellent skills in writing strategy documents, policies, reports and briefings for a range or audiences.
• Highly developed facilitation, interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills are required, with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders. 

This is a permanent full time Band 6 position.