The Public Interest Advocacy Centre seeks a policy officer/campaigner to conduct community education and advocacy in conjunction with the AFTINET about the impact on human rights and social policy in Australia of the WTO Trade in Services negotiations and of bilateral and regional agreements. The work will include assessing the impact of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and community education about proposed bilateral Trade Agreements with China and other countries. The possible areas of impact include access to health, education, and water services, the protection of local and indigenous cultures, and industry policies that can provide local employment, and economic development.

Tasks include research, policy development, submission writing, community education, campaigning, political lobbying, liaising with AFTINET members and stakeholders.

Essential skills and knowledge include excellent written and verbal communication skills, understanding of trade agreements, knowledge of political and government structures and policy process, experience in advocacy, campaigning, lobbying and community education, ability to work with limited supervision and to meet deadlines.

Salary package value $49 540 per annum pro rata (includes salary, fringe benefit, employer superannuation and leave loading).

Applications must address the selection criteria set out in the job description (see below).

Applications by post or fax close: 5pm 15 October 2004 and should be addressed to

Jane King
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Level 1, 46-48 York Street
Sydney NSW 2000

PIAC is an independent, non-profit litigation, policy and research centre located in Sydney. Its charter is to promote the public interest through challenging laws, policies and practices that are unjust or deficient and pressing for appropriate reform in both the public and private sectors. PIAC’s work focuses on human rights, consumer protection and administrative justice.

PIAC’s undertakes litigation and policy work in public interest matters where a decision or practice affects a section of the community that is subject to some economic or other disadvantage. Whenever possible, PIAC works cooperatively with other public interest groups, community and consumer organisations, legal centres, private law firms, professional associations, academics, experts, industry and unions.

Fair Trade is identified as a specific focus of work in PIAC's strategic plan. PIAC has played a key role in the development of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) to conduct policy work, community education and advocacy to make Australia's trade policy process more transparent and accountable, and to ensure that trade agreements are consistent with human rights obligations.

The Fair Trade Policy Officer/Campaigner is employed for seven months to conduct community education and advocacy in conjunction with AFTINET on the impact of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade in Services negotiations and of bilateral and regional agreements. The work will include assessing the impact of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and community education about proposed bilateral Trade Agreements with China and other countries.. The work will focus on the impacts on governments’ right to ensure access to essential services like health, education, and water, the right of governments to have policies to protect local and indigenous cultures, and to have industry policies that can provide local employment, training and economic development.

RELATIONSHIPS

• The Fair Trade Policy Officer/Campaigner is responsible to the Principal Policy Officer.

DECISION - MAKING

• The Principal Policy Officer is responsible for the conduct of PIAC’s Fair Trade work.
• The Fair Trade Policy Officer/Campaigner is expected to work within the parameters set by the Centre’s strategic plan and will work at the direction of and in consultation with the Principal Policy Officer.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Fair Trade Policy Officer/Campaigner shall:

• conduct research, policy development, advocacy and campaigning on trade and human rights issues;
• prepare written policy submissions and responses to policy proposals from government, industry or regulators;
• organise meetings of the AFTINET working group and liaise with AFTINET members;
• prepare briefings and articles for PIAC, AFTINET and other community-sector organizations in relation to Fair Trade;
• develop good working relationships with the representatives and staff of relevant government agencies, community organisations and other stakeholders;
• conduct community education on Fair Trade issues for PIAC and AFTINET training programs;
• assist in identifying and pursuing funding for future work on Fair Trade;
• take account of EEO, OHS and cultural diversity policies and programs in the performance of duties.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate:

• excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• skills in research and policy formulation;
• skills in consultation with community groups and membership-based organisations;
• experience in lobbying, advocacy and campaigning;
• knowledge of political and government structures and policy processes;
• understanding of trade agreements and Australia's trade policy and how they relate to human rights and social policy issues;
• proven ability to work with limited supervision as part of a team and an ability to meet deadlines.
• commitment and capacity to implement EEO, OHS and cultural diversity practices;
• experience using word processing and database packages.