Head of Government Relations & Special Projects at Childrens Ground – Melbourne, Victoria

About Children's Ground

Children’s Ground is working to create an environment where families realise their aspirations for the next generation of children to be free from trauma and suffering, enjoy equity and safety, be able to grow into adulthood happy and healthy, and have agency over their social, cultural, political and economic life.

Children’s Ground partners with communities over the course of a generation. Led by local expertise, vision and intelligence, we work together to design and deliver integrated systems centred on learning, development and wellbeing - responding to children and their families from pre‑birth through to young adulthood.

We celebrate the strength, vision and talent of First Nations children and families and back their leadership to transform communities from extreme stress and economic disadvantage into communities of opportunity and wellbeing.

Children’s Ground operates in Central Australia and across the Top End, supported by a Melbourne‑based Shared Services team that provides systems, governance and administrative support to enable strong community‑led work. To learn more about Children’s Ground and the work we do, visit our website: https://www.childrensground.org.au.

About the Role

The Head of Government Relations & Special Projects is a senior role responsible for leading Children’s Ground’s government relations portfolio and contributing to organisation‑wide strategic initiatives and special projects.

Bringing strong values‑based acumen, you will work closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO to build and steward relationships across Federal Government, Federal Parliament and Northern Territory Government, ensuring First Nations leadership and voice are central to all engagement.

You will collaborate closely with First Nations leaders, the Policy, Impact & Communications (PIC) team, and the Director of Research & Evaluation to:

• shape government engagement strategy
• develop compelling funding submissions and reporting
• support policy reform and systems change
• strengthen Children’s Ground’s evidence‑informed advocacy

This role plays a critical part in securing and sustaining funding, influencing public policy, and advancing national reform aligned with the Children’s Ground Approach.

Key Responsibilities

Government Relations

• Lead the development and implementation of Children’s Ground’s government relations strategy, including an engagement policy
• Ensure First Nations priorities and leadership are central to all government engagement
• Build and maintain strategic relationships across Federal and State/Territory governments, including ministerial offices, departments, parliamentary committees, cross‑bench, Opposition and minor parties
• Manage advocacy activities including meetings, briefings and political engagement
• Work with the Strategic Leadership Team to build advocacy capability and ensure consistent messaging aligned with the Children’s Ground Strategic Plan
• Ensure all government engagement is accurately recorded in the Client Resource Management (CRM) system

• Work with the CEO to develop election strategies and campaign priorities
• Project manage election campaigns
• Prepare position papers and pre‑election briefs
• Coordinate meetings with ministers and departments
• Brief the Chair, CEO and senior First Nations staff and support preparation for meetings
• Represent Children’s Ground in meetings as requested

Grant Funding

• With the CEO and Deputy CEO, negotiate continuation of key government contracts and pursue new funding opportunities
• Work with the PIC team to prepare, monitor and oversee government grant submissions
• Support high‑quality, compliant reporting and acquittals
• Advise on organisational processes and efficiencies to strengthen funding practice and compliance

Systems Change & Public Policy

• Work with senior leadership and Research & Evaluation to translate evidence into policy influence and funding strategy
• Provide leadership on policy reform opportunities aligned with the Children’s Ground Approach
• Support development of submissions, policy papers and reports
• Provide oversight of organisational submissions and formal reporting

Special Projects

• Support special projects as required to advance the strategic vision and priorities of Children’s Ground

Contribute to Children’s Ground

• Be an active, values‑aligned member of the Children’s Ground team
• Support a strong, respectful and connected organisational culture
• Engage with local languages by learning basic words and phrases for use in respectful interactions

Working Environment

Children’s Ground works in deep partnership with First Nations communities and within complex systems change contexts. This work is meaningful and relational, and also requires flexibility, patience and cultural humility.

Team members must be comfortable working in adaptive environments where timelines may be influenced by cultural protocols, community priorities and complex service systems.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Exceptional interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and project management capability, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines
• Demonstrated experience working within complex systems change environments
• Ability to work respectfully within First Nations contexts, with cultural humility and adaptability
• Resilience and comfort working with ambiguity and shifting priorities
• Experience using CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and Microsoft Office 365
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check and Working With Children Check

Desirable

• Experience working alongside First Nations colleagues and communities
• Strong understanding of First Nations cultures, histories and lived experience
• Experience working in a social change or advocacy‑focused NGO

We invite you to walk with us on this unique journey…

Benefits include an attractive remuneration package including excellent tax benefits six weeks leave (4 weeks annual leave + 2 weeks bonus leave).

If this sounds like the role for you please apply via Work with us - Children's Ground by including your resume and a cover letter. Applications will close on Wednesday the 8th April 2026.

In line with our workforce development strategy, Children's Ground strongly encourages and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.