About us

Blind Citizens Australia, (BCA) is the national representative organisation of people who are blind or vision impaired. Our purpose is to inform, connect and empower Australians who are blind or vision impaired and the broader community.

We are a small but geographically diverse team working closely to achieve our mission. We thrive on communication, innovation, collaboration and making a difference in the lives of our members.

We enjoy supporting each other, making things happen and offer a flexible working experience.

About you

You have a head for policy, and you combine this with a passion to promote the rights of people who are blind or vision impaired.

You are consultative in your work - hearing and implementing a variety of viewpoints to form position statements. You can also work autonomously, are confident in your writing to clearly articulate the impetus for change that you are promoting via position statements, policy documents and submissions to government.

You represent BCA and its members authentically, on disability advisory committees, working groups, and in sector forums.

You have an awareness of the issues faced by people who are blind or vision impaired such as accessibility and impacts of discrimination.

You always seek to consult and work collaboratively.

You love to work with people, whether it's your own team, members of BCA or other stakeholders and value the contribution they can bring to the organisation.

The stuff you need to know

Position Purpose

• To develop public policies and position statements that Blind Citizens Australia presents on behalf of Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
• To support BCA's National Policy Committee (NPC) with its consultation work and with preparation of policy statements.
• To promote and implement all BCA public policies to members, government, the blindness sector and broader community.
• To lead BCA's strategic projects and campaigns.
• To coordinate BCA’s representation on state and national committees and forums.

Roles and Responsibilities

Policy Development

• The Policy Officer leads Blind Citizens Australia’s (BCA) work in developing policy reports and position statements to further our advocacy work, and to uphold the rights of people who are blind or vision impaired.
• Through our policy work, we provide information and advice to community and government on issues of importance to people who are blind or vision impaired.
• The Policy Officer works with the National Policy Committee (NPC) on identifying policy priorities, consulting on, and developing new or updated policies, and in developing position statements.

Consultation and Community Relations

• Consult with BCA members, organisations within the blindness and advocacy sectors, government and the general community on issues of particular relevance to people who are blind or vision impaired.
• Monitor trends and themes from individual advocacy cases, and issues relevant to the sector, in furthering policy and campaign work.
• Plan and deliver monthly BCA Inform events, in consultation with BCA's Engagement and Consultation Officer.
• Develop communications plans for all policies to ensure they reach their intended audience and have maximum impact.

Strategic Representation

• Provide national representation for BCA on committees and forums as agreed.
• Coordinate and monitor BCA’s member representation on state and national disability advisory committees and forums.
• Oversee the provision of feedback on relevant reviews, discussion papers and consultations, which reflects the experiences of BCA's members.

NPC Secretariat Functions

• Provide support and resources for the National Policy Committee (NPC). This will include giving advice on strategies, consultation methods, marketing and promotion.
• Provide secretariat support to the NPC including meeting preparation and minute taking.
• Work with the NPC on identifying policy priorities, consulting on and developing new or updated policy reports, and in developing position statements.
• Assist the work of the NPC and provide development opportunities as required.

Submission Writing

• BCA makes submissions to Federal and State governments, Senate Inquiries and to other government and non-government agencies to advocate for issues affecting people who are blind or vision impaired.
• Submissions are based on BCA’s position statements, and in consultation with members.

BCA Position Statements are available: www.bca.org.au/policy/.

BCA Submissions: www.bca.org.au/submissions/.

Reporting

The Policy Officer actively contributes to reporting for Federal and State Government funding, as required ensuring all reporting deadlines are met.

The Policy Officer provides monthly board reports, ensuring all reporting deadlines are met.

Other

Administrative tasks, including answering phones, responding to emails, data entry, and reporting.

Reporting Relationships and Delegations:

This position reports to the General Manager Operations

This position has no direct reports

Key Selection Criteria

1. Expert in developing and implementing policies to advance the rights and inclusion of people who are blind or vision impaired.
2. Mastery of written and verbal communication, ensuring clarity and impact.
3. Proven ability to convey complex information concisely and compellingly, both written and spoken.
4. The ability to authentically represent BCA and its members on disability advisory committees, working groups, and in sector forums.
5. Establish relationships, collaborate and engage with relevant teams and stakeholders
6. The ability to work collaboratively with staff in a remote environment; including the ability to be self-motivated in completing tasks to a deadline.
7. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• This position is a permanent ongoing role
• Qualifications in Policy or related field is desirable
• The position has a national focus, and is a remote role, working from home.
• 38 hours per week (some weekend and evening work will be required).
• BCA seeks to prioritise diversity and inclusion, people with disability are encouraged to apply. If you require reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact us on the details below to discuss.
• Salary is under the SCHADS Award – level 5.1
• It is a requirement that all BCA staff hold a current police check.

For more information contact Angela Jaeschke General Manager Operations on 1800 033 660.