Calling senior
advocacy leaders who love to see transformation through their work, driven by
purpose and motivated by impact! IJM Australia is seeking a Chief Advocacy
Officer to mobilise Australia’s influence to help end violence against 500
million vulnerable people around the world by converting survivor‑centred
evidence into legislation, delivering on systems reform, and achieving global
impact.
Who We Are
International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting
vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,300
professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a
mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice
unstoppable.
We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the
way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional
excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.
The IJM Australia Advancement Office was established in 2014 to fuel
IJM’s global mission by mobilising Australians’ resources and influence to
protect people living in poverty from violence.
The Need
For almost 30 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect
vulnerable people from violence. Nine out of nine times in the last decade,
IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence
between 50% and 85% in specific caseworks and jurisdictions. As we grow to
expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, the role of Chief
Advocacy Officer. This position is critical as it leads and integrates IJM
Australia’s advocacy to influence government and key stakeholders, ensuring
survivorcentred strategies that translate frontline program experience into
real policy and systemic change to end violence against vulnerable people.
This
position is based in Sydney – Australia, Hybrid, and reports to the CEO
Job Brief:
Overview:
The Chief Advocacy
Officeris accountable forIJM Australia’sadvocacy strategy.
This strategy isexpectedto influence government policy and
corporate approaches to end violence against vulnerable people, especially
inour work on Forced Labour Slaveryin South Asia and
SE-Asiaand to combat the Online Sexual Exploitation of Childrenin
SE-Asia.
This leader needs
toshape and drive acoherent advocacy agenda that aligns local,
national, and international influence effortswhilstensuring that we
draw on IJM’s considerable program experience and are always survivor-centred
in ourwork.
The role oversees
government relations, policy evelopment,mediaengagementandengagement
withother like-minded actors to widen our impact. They will need to
buildtrusted partnerships with policymakers, multilaterals, civil
society, and key influencers tohelp mobilise Australia to make a
real-world difference for vulnerable people around the world. The CAO ensures
advocacy priorities are contextually grounded, politically astute, and
responsive to emerging risks and opportunities, whilemaintainingalignment
withourorganisational values.
The Chief Advocacy
Officer reports to the Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the Leadership
Team and supervises staff in policy, campaign,grantand research
roles.The CAOis expected toprovide strategic counsel to the
CEO and Board on advocacy priorities, regulatory risk, and external
influence.
Key
Result Areas:
The
success of this role is measured bythe following KRAs, which the CAO has
accountability for:
- IJM has
globallyidentified“Agents of Change”(AOC)who are
significant actors that have the potential to deliver scalable
transformational change.IJM Australia has ownership for four of
these AOCand is expected tomaintainand grow the
relationship between IJM and these stakeholders.
- The Modern
Slavery Act and the Online Safety Act are critical to
deliveringscale protection for our program countries and so
achieving ongoing change and improvement in thesepieces of
legislation is important to IJM Australia’s work.
- Media
engagement is used by IJM Australia for both policy and
systems-changeobjectives, as well as brand reach.Our strategic
goal is to increase our media presence year-on-year.
- IJM Australia
funds specific projects in IJM’s program offices and we need to ensure
that, as the funder, we oversee the project execution to ensure that it
meets our expectations in terms ofoutcomes and quality.
- During 2026,
IJM Australia is looking to secure ‘base’ accreditation in DFAT’s ANCP
programand then apply for ‘full’ accreditation in 2028.
- IJM Australia
has a target to secure othergrants each year from government and/or
institutional funders.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Strategy
development and implementation:
- Lead the development,implementationand monitoring
ofIJM Australia’sadvocacy strategy. Setrelevant and
identifiablepriorities for each year andthen oversee the
implementation of thework to deliver on the priorities within the
team.
- Having clear policy positions on relevant matters to our case work
and ensuring these policy positions are survivor-informed
andleverage evidence fromour program
offices.TheCAOhas decision authority over IJM
Australia’s advocacy strategy, policy positions, stakeholder engagement
priorities, and advocacy‑related grant submissions.
- Establish,maintainand oversee the delivery ofa
media strategy for IJM Australiathat will achieve our
strategicobjectivesand is based on the core messages we
areseekingto communicate on. Noting that delivery of
mediacontentis oftenshared based on who is the ‘most
appropriate voice’.
- Identify, assess,escalateand manageadvocacy‑related
political, reputational, and regulatory risks.
- Provide regular strategic briefings to the CEO and Board on advocacy
progress, risks, and emerging opportunities.
Build
andmaintaineffective relationships with stakeholders and
decision-makers; build IJM’s profile
- Ensure there is a well described and effective engagement plan for
each stakeholder and oversee the implementation of the engagement plan
during the year (noting that there will be some relationships owned by the
team, or by the CAO and potentially by other members of IJM Australia such
as the CEO or in the Partnerships team).
- Cultivateeffective relationships with Government officials and
stakeholders, external policyexpertsand civil society to
progress IJM Australia’s advocacystrategy.
- Compelling engagement with external stakeholders and counterparties,
especially in advocacy activities such as
meetings,inquiriesand conferences.
- Developcollaborativerelationships with IJM Global staff
toidentifyand analyse issues arising from program casework and
share advocacy initiatives and information.
Project
delivery and grants
- Lead the IJM Australia team in grant acquisition and then management
of successful grants. This will require alignment with IJM global policies
and procedures as well as integration with theoversight of
theIJM Australia Board.
- Ensuringoverall clarity in our policies and processes to
achieve and then sustain DFAT ANCP accreditation.
Culture
Builder
- Act as an exemplary role model whose conduct reflects IJM’s values
(Christian faith, professionalism, and commitment to bridge‑building),
both internally and with external partners.
- Communicate
clearly and simply, address complex or difficult issues directly, and
maketimely, well judged decisions in service of the mission.
- Participate actively in organisational governance, collaborate
constructively across functions, and foster an environment of mutual
respect, inclusion, and shared ownership.
- Question the status quo where it limits impact, and lead thoughtful
change to improve how IJM Australia operates, partners, and
influences.
- Contribute to
theexpression of a community of spiritual
formationthroughparticipatingin IJM’s rhythms of
spiritual disciplines, including daily stillness, corporate
prayer,staffprayer retreats, and individual annual days of
solitude.
People
Management:
- Builds ahigh-performanceteam environment
where:a)roles are shaped toleverageand develop
skills;b)the team is motivated, achieves goals, hashigh
standardsfor excellence andc)team members are being
coached on achieving their careerobjectives.
- Holds team members (and others outside the team) accountable for
their outcomes and behaviours.
- Shows concern for others anddemonstratescompassion
- Creates a collaborative and inclusive work environment
Supervisory:
- This role reports tothe Chief Executive Officer.
- This roleoversees a team of three, two of whom work fully
remote.
Requirements:
Education & Experience:
1.Tertiary
qualifications inarelevant field including politics, law,
economics, communications, journalism, public
relations,orinternationaldevelopment.
2.Experience
in designing and implementing high-impact advocacy campaigns.
3.Experiencein
dealing with senior politicians,departmentsand agency heads.
4. High levelsupervisory and organisational
management experience.
5. Demonstrated ability to translate complex
program evidence into policy reform.
6. Experience working in a not-for-profit
organisation or government role with exposure to the not-for-profit
sectoror experience engaging withGovernmentstakeholders
(e.g.the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).
Technical Competencies:
1. Outstanding strategic policy and planning
skills.
2. Excellent influencing and networking skills, withthe
abilityto advocate with senior decision makers.
3. Proven ability to work effectively with a
diverse range of stakeholders, including strong consultation skills.
4. Excellent writing skills and the ability todistiland
effectively communicate complex information to a range of audiences.
5. Ability to work effectively with the media.
Non-Technical Competencies:
1. Abilitytoestablishquickly personal credibility, to
develop,maintainand negotiate effective working relationships with
groups and individuals (including within the Government) with differing
perspectives and agendas, and of working with otherorganisationson
joint campaigns and coalitions.
2. Self-starter with strong initiative and an
entrepreneurial
spirit,withdemonstratedleadershipcapacity.
3. Global and cultural awareness.
4. Commitment to IJM’s Statement of Faith.
5. A servant heart with a desire to serve and
advocate on behalf of the poor and oppressed.
6. Personal and professional integrity.
7. Successful completion ofCriminal History
checks.
Travel:
Assuming
the role is based in Sydney, there will be regular travel to Canberra(two
to four times a year) and potentially other capital cities in Australia
depending on the need to engage with other stakeholders (potentially two to
four times a year). There will also be a need to visit program countries on an
annual or bi-annual basis. There may also be regional leadership
conferencesto attend.
The below are required for all IJM
Australia roles:
1.Commitment to IJM’s Statement of
Faith.
2.A servant heart with a desire to
advocate on behalf of the poor and oppressed.
3.Personal and professional integrity.
4. Prepared
to undergo Criminal History checks.
Other Duties:
This job
description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of
activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties,
responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the
supervisor.
Why Join Us?
At IJM Australia,
we believe in supporting our team with meaningful benefits that reflect our
values and commitment to wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll enjoy:
Generous Leave
Entitlements
-
Annual Leave – 20 days per year
to rest and recharge
-
Personal/Carer’s
Leave – 10 days
annually to care for yourself or loved ones
-
Compassionate Leave – 2 days for family
bereavements
-
Time Off in Lieu – Available when
out-of-hours work is required
-
Family &
Domestic Violence Leave – 10 days paid leave for those in need
-
Day of Solitude – 1 day each year
for personal reflection and rest
-
Gifted Leave – 4.5 additional
days over Christmas and New Year
-
Long Service Leave – In accordance
with the Long Service Leave Act in each state
Salary Packaging
Options
IJM Australia
offers salary packaging options that allow eligible employees to receive
part of their salary as non-cash benefits helping you make the most of your
income within statutory caps.
IJM holds strict
safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding
Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy,
and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence,
recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s
value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check
processes. IJM values people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to enrich
the perspectives it brings to the organisation.
Please submit your Resume/CV and Cover Letter not later than15 May 2026.
Remark: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
