• Location: Unit 14, 6 Gritten Street, Weston ACT.
• Term: Permanent; Full-Time (38hrs/week)
• Remuneration: SCHADS Award Level 5 ($76,473, - $80,248) + 9.5% superannuation + Salary sacrificing opportunities
• Reports To: Advocacy Team Leader – NDIS AAT Appeals and Disability Royal Commission Programs
• Direct reports: N/A

The ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) is looking to fill a vacancy in our Disability Royal Commission Team. ADACAS is a human-rights focused organisation which will celebrate its 30th year of operation in 2021. We provide a range of services including Individual Advocacy, Redress support and Support Coordination.

In 2019 the Federal government established a Royal Commission into the abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. ADACAS has been funded to support people with disability, and their witnesses, who have been subject to abuse, neglect or exploitation, to make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC).

In collaboration with the First Peoples Disability Network of Australia, ADACAS has developed an identified position to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make submissions to the DRC which will run until April 2022.

The Aboriginal Community Advocate role is responsible for providing moderate to complex individual advocacy support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability to help them to engage with the Royal Commission and to receive whatever form of legal and/or counselling that they may require.

In addition, the Advocate will work collaboratively across the whole of ADACAS and may be required to undertake other duties such as client intakes and systemic advocacy research and taking on Advocacy matters related to ADACAS’ other contracts.

Essential qualities and skills:

• Familiarity with and understanding of human rights and disability
• Ability to communicate sensitively with people with disabilities and complex issues
• Ability to deescalate intense situations and work empathetically with marginalised people
• Broad knowledge of the community services available in Canberra and the South Coast
• Willingness to travel interstate for outreach as needed
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks
• Ability to use and maintain client database/files ensuring confidentiality
• Computer literacy in SharePoint, Office 365, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Microsoft Teams or the willingness to learn
• Tertiary qualification, Diploma, Certificate Four or vocational training relevant to community services.

To receive a candidate information pack please email Sara Stanley, Team Leader DRC & NDIS Appeals Programs on [email protected], using the subject line: Aboriginal Community Advocate - Identified Position enquiry via EthicalJobs, or call (02) 6242 5060.

ADACAS considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s 42 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT) and s 14 of the Antidiscrimination Act 1977 (NSW); the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and the Australian Capital Territory from: s 27 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT)

The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

ADACAS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Ngunnawal people, and recognises their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Always Was, Always Will Be; Sovereignty Never Ceded