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• Employment Type: Full time, Fixed Term 3-year position.
• Remuneration: Competitive total package
• Location: Canberra, ACT (with international travel and travel to UNSW Sydney required)

About UNSW

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.  We aspire to be Australia’s global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society.

About the Role

The Director of the UNSW Global Policy Initiative will lead the establishment of the initiative as part of the UNSW Public Policy Institute to position the University as Australia’s leading academic policy partner across its disciplines. The initiative aims to harness existing policy expertise across faculties and create new opportunities with greater impact and visibility.

The Director will collaborate closely with the DVC Global and Head of International Relations to drive policy-facing initiatives, supporting University and faculty goals. They will build partnerships internally and externally with diverse stakeholders, including governments, industry, academia, civil society, and philanthropists, globally, with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes in education, research, policy, and innovation.

This role reports to the Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute, with a close functional reporting relationship to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global. The role will work in close strategic alignment with the International Relations team and other areas within the University Office of Global Affairs to initiate and support global engagement activities. The successful applicant will:

• Lead the planning, strategic direction and implementation of the Global Policy Initiative as an internal partnership, delivering Priority Area 6 in the UNSW Global Strategy in establishing the University as Australia’s leading academic policy hub on the global stage.
• Lead the establishment of the Global Policy Initiative from launch to the world to deliver innovation, global projection and societal impact against training, research, funding and policy implementation. 
• Lead, develop and implement the Initiative’s priorities and plans for revenue growth, external engagement, government partnership and community engagement consistent with University strategic direction and faculty policy priorities.
• Working closely with the DVC Global, Executive Director of the UNSW Public Policy Institute, faculty policy leads, PVC International, PVC Transnational Ventures, Head of International Relations, and all faculties and divisions to build whole-of-institution coherence in global policy initiatives with key partners.
• Convene interdisciplinary expertise across UNSW in response to complex policy challenges and opportunities worldwide.
• Enable collaboration and integrated research, strengthening opportunity across policy areas that require collective action, and provide access to UNSW expertise for partner organisations.
• Lead media engagement and public speaking events on behalf of the University relating to global policy, utilising a highly regarded profile as a publicly recognised leader to enhance the educational reputation and societal impact of the Institute
• Develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive operational plan outlining the Initiative’s anticipated development, ensuring the institute meets ambitious KPI’s with regard to impact, revenue generation and profile.
• Effectively administer and allocate resources, optimise and operate within budget, and meet relevant corporate governance, legislation and compliance obligations.
• Ensure annual performance monitoring is undertaken consistent with the University’s quality management and improvement framework.
• Drive the internal UNSW culture of collaboration, integrity, and respect, supporting development of multi-disciplinary and cross-faculty teams, attracting and developing teaching and research capabilities.
• Build the capability of staff through practices such as team building, coaching, mentoring, career development to lead and motivate academic and general staff to maximise performance.
• Ensure the implementation and development of EEO policies and programs at the strategic and operational level, and foster a culture that supports equity, fairness and ethics in dealing with staff from diverse backgrounds.

About You

• Tertiary qualification, preferably at PhD or equivalent professional level, with experience in global policy-facing initiatives in varied global regions (Asia-Pacific, Latin America, NE and SE Asia, MENA, Africa)
• Demonstrated experience in both the development and implementation of research-informed public policy, with the ability to translate academic research into actionable policy recommendations, influence government decision-making, and build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, embassies, and industry leaders.
• An outstanding record of leadership in international public policy, with a profile that is recognised by public policy practitioners.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the higher education industry both nationally and internationally with demonstrated capacity to provide thought leadership in this area.
• A proven ability to grow revenue and projection for an entity within a complex regulatory environment.
• An understanding of the media landscape, and an ability to shape debate and dialogue on public policy in a non-divisive way.
• Demonstrated commitment to strong collegial leadership, engagement, delivering excellence and a capacity to build and maintain effective collaborative partnerships within an academic environment and within and external to the Initiative.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to encourage staff to achieve their best and to have difficult conversations where necessary
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description

How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before Sunday 27 April by 11:55pm.

UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include: 

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc) 
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
• Career development opportunities 
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

Job queries contact: Tai James, Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: tai.james@unsw.edu.au  (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online) 

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.