HR/IR jobs

National Economist

As the nation’s oldest blue-collar trade union representing thousands of working Australians, The Australian Workers’ Union is seeking a National Economist based in our National Office.

We are a diverse union representing workers in a range of industries across all States and Territories. Getting the best outcome for our members is at the heart of what we do.

Position Description

The AWU National Economist is a diverse role that works closely with the public sector, private sector, and financial markets to track and manage industry and regulatory affairs affecting the companies AWU members work for.

These industries include heavy manufacturing (Steel, aluminium, copper and more), civil infrastructure, agriculture, mining and resources, oil & gas, chemicals & fertilizers, building materials manufacturing, fuel refining, energy production and distribution, healthcare, public sector employees across several agencies and departments including local council, forestry, firefighters and many other industries such as hair stylists, swimming instructors, the racehorse industry, shearing, and more.

Whilst there are many different policy areas and challenges the AWU will work on, some main items include energy, procurement, trade, migration, industry growth programs, environment, apprentices & training, resources, industry super fund reform, and more.

Other key responsibilities and tasks include:

• Industry government relation liaison and consultation – regular consultation with government relations personnel and other executives at large AWU employers.
• Political liaison and consultation – regular consultation with political personnel across all political parties in Federal and state parliaments.
• Union liaison and consultation – maintain working relationships with key personnel across other unions and union associations. This includes taking part in working groups and at times preparing material to ensure the union movement’s public policy advocacy remains consistent with those issues that affect AWU members.
• Preparing reports – writing, coordinating, and commissioning reports in various policy areas for the purposes of submissions to parliamentary and government inquiries, as well as for general public policy advocacy purposes.
• Economic and financial information support for internal organisers – coordinating standardised reports that provide company-level information to assist organisers in enterprise-bargaining negotiations.
• Industry Fund liaison and consultation – developing working relationships with key personnel across industry funds and associations, including those operating on investment committees and/or ESG personnel that guide the industry fund response to regulatory and public affairs.
• Financial market liaison and consultation – working with financial market analysts at investment banks and fund managers to understand and share intel on challenges facing AWU-member industries.
• Appointment on committees/boards – working as an appointee and guiding other union appointees on various government and non-government working groups and committees, such as the International Trade Remedy Forum, and many other committees that form each year such as the Manufacturing Taskforce, Mining Industry Advisory Council, Trade Advisory Council, NSW Procurement Taskforce, and more.

Desired Skills and Experience
The successful candidate will have:
• Undergraduate tertiary qualifications
• Experience as a labour market economist with a background in empirical analysis, economic modelling and forecasting.
• Have a good understanding of the policy development process within government
• Minimum 3 years analytical experience in a complex industry/ organisation
• Ability to analyse, interpret and synthesise data from multiple sources
• Ability to identify and analyse issues and develop appropriate strategies
• Business acumen in order to deliver business building insights to stakeholders
• Ability to develop strategic messaging and express effectively in written form
• Strong relationship building skills

Conditions
An attractive salary and other generous conditions will be offered depending on experience. A relocation package may also be available if moving from interstate.

Apply
To apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the Position Description to AWU Chief of Staff Mark Fagan mark.fagan@nat.awu.net.au using the subject heading ‘National Economist Application’. The deadline for applications is COB Friday 5 March 2021.