Research & Policy Advisor

Introduction:
Join us and share our Vision:
‘All people affordably housed in neighborhoods that support life opportunities’

Housing Choices Australia (Housing Choices) is a leading and growing national not-for-profit housing provider. Our goal is to ensure that people are housed in inclusive communities and to create homes that encourage a sense of belonging. We own and/or manage more than 7,000 homes, accommodating over 8500 tenants across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia.

We provide a culture that supports individuals to be their best, with opportunities for personal and career development. We are committed to cultivating an equal, diverse, and inclusive environment for our staff, residents, and stakeholders.

Description:
The Opportunity

The position is open for candidates located in either Perth or Melbourne.

The Research and Policy Officer supports the organisation’s strategic and advocacy objectives by delivering research and analysis on policy, regulatory, and sector trends in community housing. This role strengthens decision-making and external communications through the development of white papers, policy submissions, and best practice insights, enhancing the organisation’s capacity to address sector challenges and promote positive change.

What you'll do

Conduct research on government policy, legislation, and regulatory issues impacting community housing sector, providing insights to inform strategic decision-making.
Monitor developments in housing policy, advocacy, media, emerging trends and best practices across the industry domestically and internationally.
Monitor parliamentary debates, departmental inquiries and Senate Committee hearings relevant to the social, community and affordable housing sector.
Produce high-quality white papers, briefing papers, and reports for executive and board-level stakeholders to support advocacy and strategic objectives.

Skills and Experiences:
About You:
Relevant tertiary qualification in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
Capacity to support change and innovation and deliver creative and leading practice solutions
Demonstrated experience in policy research or strategic analysis, ideally within community housing, social services, or the government sector.
Experience producing briefing materials, reports, or publications for executive or strategic audiences.
Familiarity with government policy processes, housing policy, or public sector regulations.
Background in supporting cross-functional teams with both research and communications-related tasks.
Proven ability to distil complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for strategic and external purposes.

What we offer in return

• Flexible working arrangements
• Salary Packaging for living expenses, meal, and entertainment expenses
• Excellent career development opportunities
• Recognition program
• Paid parental leave

Please note that it is a minimum requirement of this position that all appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Criminal History or Police Check conducted by Housing Choices Australia and the successful post holder to:

• Agree and undergo any other employment screening as required by Housing Choices - including but not restricted to Working with Children or Vulnerable Persons and NDIS Worker (this will be as applicable based on the state location and/or function of the role)
• Agree and comply with Child Safety policies and procedures
• Provide a current driver’s license and willingness to travel across Housing Choices’ locations, if and as required.

How to apply

Download a copy of the Position Description and Apply here.

(Please note: SEEK applicants only - if you are viewing this job advert on SEEK you will not be able to view the position description until you click APPLY)

Housing Choices reserves the right to cease recruitment proceedings earlier upon appointing a suitable candidate for the role. This opportunity is only open to candidates with appropriate legal working rights within Australia. Housing Choices recognises the benefits of a diverse workforce. We celebrate and respect our people's differences and are committed to being inclusive. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and persons with a disability to apply.

We recognise that applying for positions can be challenging. You might be questioning if the role aligns with your skills or if your experience is sufficient. At Housing Choices, we value the unique skills and perspectives new team members can contribute to our culture. Even if you don't perfectly match the criteria, we encourage you to reach out – we're interested in hearing from you.

We base our hiring decisions on your skills, experience, and enthusiasm. When you apply, please let us know any accommodations you require during the recruitment process.