Position Description - Stepping Into ProgramPosition Title

NSW Department of Family and Community Services - Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People Intern

Location

Strawberry Hill, NSW

Position Duration

175 hours, or 5 weeks

Agency Overview

The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) directly supports approximately 800,000 people every year and reaches a further million people through local community-based programs.

Our vision is to empower all people to live fulfilling lives and achieve their potential in inclusive communities. We collaborate with government, non-government and community partners to work with children, adults, families and communities to improve lives and realise potential, with a focus on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage.

Position Overview

The Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) is an independent statutory office that reports to the NSW Parliament. The core functions of the office are to advocate for the wellbeing of children and young people in NSW aged 0-24 years, and to promote their participation in the decisions that affect their lives.

The successful intern will join one of two teams, the policy and research team or the participation team, depending on their related discipline.

The policy team work on policy and research projects in the areas of law, justice, education, homelessness and child protection, disability reform, among other areas. The team provide advice to the Director and Advocate and make submissions to parliamentary inquires.

The participation team conduct consultations with children and young people in a variety of settings using different participatory approaches and methodologies. They then generate reports which inform ACYP policies and advice.

Key accountabilities

• Work autonomously and within a team environment to achieve key performance indicators, ensuring deliverables meet quality expectations and comply with defined policies protocols and timeframes.

Level 3, 80 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (02) 8270 9200 www.and.org.au

• Undertake tasks that contribute to the design, implementation and coordination of projects which deliver effective business unit outcomes and meet client service delivery needs.

• Build working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate achievement of business outcomes.

• Identify and escalate complex matters or issues that may impact the delivery of services to the business unit manager.

• Conduct research and analysis that contribute to the development of policies, procedures and guidelines.

Key challenges

• Operating in a complex organisation undergoing significant structural and service delivery reform and this role will require the occupant to display a high level of change agility.

• Progressively building an understanding of the institutional frameworks and conventions which guide work in the NSW Government including legislative and budgetary processes.

• Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders given the diverse and varied range of stakeholders.

Ideal Degree/Discipline

Law or Social Work

Eligibility Requirements

Currently studying in final or penultimate year of a relevant undergraduate or post-graduate degree with an Australian university

Australian citizenship May be subject to reference checks, criminal history clearance and working with children

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