Public Policy Editor

Position Description

Role: Public Policy Editor

Reports to: Section Editor, Politics + Society/Chief of Staff

Direct reports: None

Location: Canberra Press Gallery

Salary range: $120,000 (negotiable)  

Purpose of the Role:

The Public Policy Editor is an experienced journalist who leads The Conversation’s coverage of policy, legislation, government committees and inquiries. Based in The Conversation’s Canberra Press Gallery office, the Public Policy Editor will cover the process of public development at the national and state level and will work closely with The Conversation’s Chief Political Correspondent, Michelle Grattan. 

The Conversation’s unique publishing model pairs professional journalists with academics to better inform public discourse. Editors work with academics to help translate their ideas into plain language so they can be shared with a wide audience. 

The primary responsibility of the Public Policy Editor is to commission and edit text-based articles from academics explaining and analysing key policy debates and submissions to parliamentary enquiries,  for a general audience. 

The Public Policy Editor needs to be a  voracious reader who is well informed about key public debates and the process of developing evidence-based public policy. They will unearth important stories that aren’t being told elsewhere, with a particular focus on Indigenous Affairs. The Public Policy Editor must be a creative and competitive journalist bursting with ideas and have the ability to implement them.

The Conversation is a trusted journalism brand, and its editors need to protect its hard won credibility. They must be thoughtful, calm, methodical, rigorous and possess a deep commitment to professional impartiality and high ethical standards.

The Conversation values all forms of diversity. We encourage applicants to share information about what makes them unique and the ways in which they can bring something different to the team.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Journalism experience
• Understanding of the public service and the policy formation process
• Creativity and the ability to generate compelling ideas
• Strong people skills and diplomacy
• The ability to build strong network of contacts
• Highly developed research and analytical skills
• Polished presentation
• Care and attention to detail

Please send us a copy of your CV and answers of no more than 200 words each to these four questions to [email protected] by 16 December 2024 (no cover letter required):

1. Tell us about your career and professional accomplishments.

1. Why have you applied for this role and why would you be a good fit for this position?

1. Tell us a little about yourself and the key factors that make you who you are. We particularly value all kinds of diversity and would like to hear anything about your background or experience that would enable you to bring something unique to our team.

1. Do you have the right to work in Australia?