Head of Government Relations - Raise Our Voice in Parliament

Raise Our Voice Australia is a non-partisan social enterprise mobilising young women and gender-diverse people to actively engage in and transform policy and politics.

We champion the inclusion of young women and gender-diverse people in decision-making, believing that a truly representative democracy values the perspectives of those who live in the current, and will inherit the future.

The Campaign

The Raise Our Voice in Parliament (ROVIP) campaign is one of ROVA’s flagship initiatives. Running annually since 2020, ROVIP provides a unique and powerful platform for young Australians aged 25 and under to have their voices, ideas, and concerns directly heard by federal politicians. Participants submit speeches on issues that matter most to them and their vision for Australia's future. Selected speeches are then read by Members of Parliament and Senators in Federal Parliament during Youth Voice in Parliament Week. This campaign aims to bridge the gap between young people and policymakers, ensuring that youth perspectives are a key part of the national conversation and influence policy.

The Position

Raise Our Voice Australia is seeking a strategic and well-connected Head of Government Relations. This role is pivotal in developing and executing a comprehensive government relations strategy to support the Raise Our Voice in Parliament (ROVIP) campaign and advance ROVA's broader advocacy goals. The Head of Government Relations will be responsible for building and nurturing relationships with parliamentarians, political staffers, and government officials at all levels. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the Australian political landscape, exceptional communication and advocacy skills, and a genuine commitment to youth empowerment and gender equality.

We particularly welcome applications from people from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as First Nations or LGBTQIA+, people from migrant/ refugee backgrounds, and people with a disability.

All applicants are required to be over 18, and acquire and maintain an active Working With Vulnerable Persons check (or state equivalent)

Key Responsibilities:

Parliamentary Engagement Strategy & Execution:

  • Develop and implement the government relations strategy specifically for the ROVIP campaign, including timelines and key deliverables for parliamentary engagement.

  • Lead outreach and engagement with Federal Members of Parliament, Senators, and their offices to secure their active participation in reading speeches and supporting Youth Voice in Parliament Week.

  • Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with Parliamentarians and their staff, acting as a key liaison for ROVIP.

  • Coordinate with Parliamentarians' offices for their involvement in Youth Voice in Parliament Week, including speech delivery logistics and any associated parliamentary events, working in close collaboration with the ROVIP Program Manager.

Stakeholder Engagement and Management:

  • Maintain a database and manage communications with parliamentary stakeholders regarding ROVIP.

  • Identify and implement strategies to encourage broad and diverse parliamentary participation in ROVIP, across different parties and chambers.

  • Liaise closely with the ROVIP Program Manager and internal ROVA teams (e.g., communications) to ensure a coordinated approach to parliamentary engagement for the campaign.

Campaign Support and Advocacy: 

  • Develop and disseminate targeted materials (e.g., briefing notes, invitations, impact summaries of ROVIP) for Parliamentarians to encourage and support their participation.

  • Advocate for the value and importance of youth voice in Parliament, specifically through the ROVIP campaign, to encourage politician participation and sustained support.

  • Support the Head of Policy by identifying opportunities to leverage ROVA's policy positions to enhance politician engagement with the ROVIP campaign.

  • Where applicable, represent ROVA at relevant parliamentary or political events to promote the ROVIP campaign and foster relationships.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

  • Track key metrics related to parliamentary engagement in ROVIP (e.g., number of participating MPs/Senators, diversity of representation).

  • Gather feedback from participating politicians and their offices to inform future ROVIP campaign strategies for parliamentary engagement.

  • Contribute to post-campaign reports for ROVIP, specifically detailing outcomes, learnings, and recommendations related to government relations.

Desired skills:

  • Proven ability to build, nurture, and sustain long-term relationships with MPs, Senators, advisors, and public servants across party lines.

  • Skilled in designing and executing advocacy plans that identify key stakeholders, influence decision-makers, and support long-term policy change.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief political stakeholders, draft compelling messaging, and speak with impact.

  • Deep knowledge of political and parliamentary processes, with experience influencing outcomes from the outside in.

  • Confident managing meetings, timelines, and touch points with key stakeholders to ensure momentum and alignment across advocacy efforts.

Desired attributes:

  • Deep understanding of the Australian political ecosystem and how to navigate power dynamics, timing, and influence effectively.

  • A collective mindset, working with young people, community voices, and staff to co-create meaningful advocacy moments.

  • Deeply committed to gender equality and youth empowerment, with a relentless focus on achieving outcomes aligned with ROVA’s values.

  • Leads with care and respect, understanding that advocacy is personal — and relationships are built on trust, not just access.

  • Champions diverse voices, especially those often excluded from politics, and ensures advocacy is accessible and grounded in lived experience.

  • Calm consistency, and can adapt quickly.

What you will get out of it:

  • Experience working with passionate people who are motivated to create change

  • Relationships with politicians and community change makers

  • Membership of a community of passionate leaders

  • Contribute to an organisation leading national conversations focused on gender equality and civic engagement

The details

Time commitment: 4 hours a week | voluntary
Location: online, anywhere in Australia
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
For questions: people@raiseourvoiceaustralia.com
Start date: Immediate
Applications close: 12 June 2025, apply at the link below.