• NDCO Region covers Central & Northern Areas of South Australia
• Home office base with regional travel
• Attractive salary + NFP salary packaging

The Australian Government's National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program works strategically to drive change so that people with disability have equitable opportunity to access, participate and achieve their goals in tertiary education and subsequent employment, through a national network of regionally based NDCOs.

The Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) is a not for profit research and education organisation that is affiliated with the University of Sydney. CDS manages and implements the NDCO Program across 4 regions, including 2 in NSW and 2 in South Australia.

We have an exciting opportunity for a full time NDCO to facilitate the program in Central and Northern South Australia and the areas of the West Coast and Eyre Peninsula. This position is funded until 30 June 2022.

The successful candidate will be engaged to undertake a range of activities that will achieve the program's outcomes and objectives.

The key activities of the position are:

• Work collaboratively with other NDCOs and external stakeholders to identify and address systemic barriers experienced by people with disability in accessing, participating and achieving their goals in tertiary education and subsequent employment
• Work collaboratively with other NDCOs and external stakeholders to gather and present evidence to advocate for necessary systemic change
• Strengthen linkages between schools, tertiary education institutions, and employment services to improve coordination and facilitate transitions for people with disability
• Work strategically with stakeholders to implement changes to policy and institutional practices to enhance inclusive practices and increase accessibility for people with disability
• Contribute to the implementation of the NDCO National Operational Plan
• Raise awareness and build the capacity of stakeholders, including people with disability, about their responsibilities and rights, education and employment options, and services and support available
• Provide advice to relevant stakeholders about barriers and solutions to participation in and transition from school to tertiary education and subsequent employment for people with disability
• Develop inclusive strategies which are reflective of the regional demographics

The key qualifications and experience required to effectively operate in the role are:

• An undergraduate qualification in disability or related discipline (e.g. education, social work, psychology, career development) is essential
• Self-starter and self-motivated to generate their own patterns of work
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders
• Ability to work strategically
• Ability to manage complex projects effectively, on time and to best leverage existing resources of a range of stakeholders
• Succinct report writing skills
• Demonstrated knowledge  and understanding of the complexity of the full spectrum of disabilities within the diverse Australian community
• Proven ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Applicants must have own motor vehicle and be willing to travel across the region and occasionally interstate
• Experience and/or familiarity (including knowledge of the policy and program environment) with the secondary and tertiary education sectors, job services and employment programs would be highly regarded
• Previous experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. Understanding of the principles of ensuring culturally safe communications is desirable