Download Title: National Policy Advisor, Active Living Team: Health Outcomes

National Policy Advisor, Active Living
(12 month maximum term, Full time)
Title: National Policy Advisor, Active Living
Team:
Health Outcomes
Position type:
12 month maximum term
(parental leave), Full time
Reports to: National Policy Manager
Company:
National
Hours per week:
37.5
Grade:
Location:
Melbourne
Effective date:
January 2015
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The Heart Foundation is an independent charity whose purpose is to reduce premature death and suffering from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease. As a
federation of nine companies (a national company and eight state/territory divisions) we work together to deliver our national strategy, For All Hearts 20132017 under the auspice of a Federation Agreement and guided by our shared organisational values: Visionary, Dynamic and Collaborative; Integrity; and
Passionate.
The National Company is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer’s office and four business units: Corporate Services, Revenue and Brand, Advocacy, and
Health Outcomes.
The National Health Outcomes team supports the achievement of the goals and objectives of the national For All Hearts Strategy 2013-2017. This includes
improving access to a healthier food supply, active living, early recognition and detection of heart attack, improved access, and better management of heart
disease. There is also a strong focus on addressing health inequity amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those who are culturally and
linguistically diverse and those from low socio economic backgrounds across Australia.
The position of National Policy Advisor – Active Living sits within the Policy team (see organisation chart, attached). This team consolidates policy work
including research, evidence review, systems thinking, data interpretation, subject matter expertise and policy advice across the areas of prevention and
treatment of heart disease.
The position works closely with the National Manager, Data & Evaluation, General Manager Advocacy, National Media Manager and a range of honorary
committees that provide advice and direction to the work of the Heart Foundation.
Some interstate travel is required
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Position Purpose:
Lead the Heart Foundation’s Active Living policy activities and stakeholder engagement to promote and influence the uptake of Heart Foundation policies and
positions by government, industry and peak bodies, professional associations and academic institutions.
Key Accountabilities
Accountabilities
Major Activities
Outcomes
Provide strategic advice in the area of active living

Keep up to date with relevant active living
issues and associated research, evidence,
data and government positions

To achieve the goals of the Heart Foundation
strategy and the performance indicators of the
annual business plan

Assist in the critical review of evidence, data
and government positions and the implications
for the Heart Foundation’s active living agenda

Provide subject matter expertise in active living
to advocacy, media and communications and
marketing teams, Heart Foundation staff and
internal committees

Support the National Policy Manager in
managing the honorary committees

Develop, implement and evaluate operational
plans including discrete projects


Prepare reports and papers
To achieve the goals of the Heart Foundation
strategy and the performance indicators of the
annual business plan

Collaborate and consult with a wide range of
National Heart Foundation staff

To deliver annual priorities and facilitate
incremental achievement of long term Policy
objectives.

Identify and manage internal and external risks
to the successful operation and achievement
of Policy programs and policies
Contribute to the development and achievement of
business objective
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Advocacy

Represent the Heart Foundation in appropriate
external forums including government, industry
and consumer groups

To achieve the goals of the Heart Foundation
strategy and the performance indicators of the
annual business plan

Develop written submissions to the federal
government in relation to Active Living issues
and initiatives

To maintain the profile of

the Active Living program.

Engage proactively with governments, peak
bodies, public health associations, academic
institutions and coalitions

Develop and manage relationships with key
external stakeholders such as the Planning
Institute of Australia and the Australian Local
Government Association

Work with the marketing and communications
team to develop tailored key messages
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CHALLENGES:
KEY COMMUNICATIONS:

Keeping abreast of the evidence and policy environment
Internally:

Working across the National and Divisional (State) companies that make
up the Heart Foundation and securing support for the national policy
agenda






Health Outcomes Unit to integrate work between the teams particularly
the evaluation of evidence and development of policy into areas of
program work
National Brand and Communications to provide an evidence base for the
development of key messages and campaigns and marketing collateral
for a range of audiences
National Advocacy to provide policy platforms and briefings for meetings
with relevant Federal ministers, government agencies and industry
bodies and to understand the government health agenda and priorities
National Media to provide evidence based information and key
messages to support media campaigns, releases and responses
Cardiovascular Health Directors in the Divisions to promote the national
policy agenda, influence priorities across the organisation align and
leverage national and state activities
Honoraries to engage their expertise in the scientific review of evidence
and the development of policy positions
Externally:



Key opinion leaders and health professional bodies to obtain input into policy
development and support for policy positions
Consumers to incorporate their perspective into policy development
Externally:


Key opinion leaders, policy makers, peak bodies and professional
associations to obtain input into policy development, support for policy
positions and collaborate on Active Living issues and initiatives
Consumers to incorporate their perspective into policy development
These include but are not limited to the PIanning Institute of Australia,
Australian Local Government Association, Cycling Promotion Fund, Bus
Industry Confederation, Green Building Council of Australia, Major Cities
Unit; Federal Government: Health, Transport and other Ministers
(advisors, shadow); Parliamentary Secretaries; Other Ministers and
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shadow ministers, depending on the issue; National Preventative Health
Agency, academic researchers and institutions, other health promotion
NGOs (e.g. NPHAA), built environment professional associations (e.g.
Urban Development Institute of Australia, Australian Institute of
Landscape Architects).
DECISION MAKING:
Independently
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Knowledge
The position makes independent decisions on the day to day operations of
the Active Living program of work
Tertiary qualification, preferably in health, government policy, planning or
social sciences
With input
Sound knowledge of research methodologies, assessment and interpretation
of research
The position consults with National Policy Manager on strategic direction and
priorities
Recommends
The position provides recommendations to the National Policy Manager
regarding agenda, papers, publications and key messages externally
Guidance
Demonstrated understanding of socio-ecological approaches to promoting
physical activity
Skills
High quality writing that is able to present information logically with an ability
to synthesise complex information into easy to understand concepts
Strong presentation skills
The position is guided in its decisions by the policies and procedures of the
National Heart Foundation and the Heart Foundation values
Excellent attention to detail
Demonstrated skills in building effective working relationships with a range of
internal and external stakeholders
Experience
Demonstrated experience in developing policy, evidence reviews, position
statements and undertaking advocacy
Direct Reports (position titles):
NIL
Indirect Reports:
Budget Management:
NIL
Income:
Nil
Expenditure:
Nil
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Essential Competencies:
Functional/Technical Skills - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment
Informing - Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs and to feel good about being a member of the team, unit and/or the organisation;
provides individuals information so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information
Intellectual Horsepower - Is bright and intelligent; deals with concepts and complexity comfortably; described as intellectually sharp, capable and agile
Interpersonal Savvy - Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organisation; builds appropriate rapport; builds
constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably
Managing and Measuring Work - Clearly assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress
and results; designs feedback loops into work
Organisational Agility - Knowledgeable about how organisations work; knows how to get things done both through formal channels and the informal
network; understands the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices and procedures; understands the cultures of organisations
Political Savvy - Can manoeuvre through complex political situations effectively and quietly; is sensitive to how people and organisations function;
anticipates where the land mines are and plans his/her approach accordingly; views corporate politics as a necessary part of organisational life and works to
adjust to that reality; is a maze-bright person
Presentation Skills - Is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports and bosses; is
effective both inside and outside the organisation, on both cool data and hot and controversial topics; commands attention and can manage group process
during the presentation; can change tactics midstream when something isn’t working
Priority Setting - Spends his/her time and the time of others on what’s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can
quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus
Strategic Agility - Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented;
can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans
Written Communications - Is able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that have the
desired effect
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ORGANISATIONAL CHART
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Approval:
Manager
Incumbent
Name:
Name:
Signed:
Signed:
Dated:
Dated:
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