• Lead Australia’s national voice for CALD people with disability
• Shape federal policy and drive systemic change at the intersection of disability rights and cultural diversity
• Build solidarity across Disabled People’s Organisations and multicultural communities that have too often gone unheard
• Permanent Full-Time - Canberra, ACT - WFH flexibility
• $150,000 + superannuation

About this opportunity

NEDA sits at the intersection of two of Australia’s most important human rights movements, disability rights and cultural diversity. This is not a generalist leadership role. It is a mission-critical position for someone who leads through a disability lens, understands the lives of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people with disability, and is ready to champion their voices at the highest levels of government, policy, and community.

If equitable access, eliminating barriers, challenging discrimination, and safeguarding rights are a mission you can get behind, this role is for you. As CEO, you will shape national conversations, build strategic partnerships, and ensure NEDA remains a powerful voice for communities too often unheard. You will represent, advocate for, and empower CALD people with disability, foster greater understanding of diversity and disability rights, and spearhead systemic change at national and international levels. You will steward a small, dedicated team, walk alongside member organisations and Disabled People’s Organisations, and engage government and community with equal credibility.

This is a role for a visionary leader who can articulate where NEDA needs to go, hold that position with conviction, and build the kind of solidarity across the sector that moves things forward.

This role is based in Canberra, ACT. Candidates must be based in Canberra or willing to relocate prior to commencement.

Leading through a disability lens

NEDA is a Disabled People’s Organisation, which means the disability lens isn’t a value we aspire to, it’s how we operate. For our CEO, that means the lived experience of CALD people with disability shapes every decision, every conversation and every room you walk into. You’ll champion the social model of disability and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), build genuine solidarity across Disabled People’s Organisations, and ensure CALD identity is always centred, not treated as a subset of disability advocacy.

Key responsibilities

Advocacy and Government Engagement

• Lead federal-level systemic advocacy on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability policy, health, and aged care as they affect CALD people with disability
• Engage directly with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA), the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, NDIA, and ministerial offices; represent NEDA at parliamentary hearings, national forums, and international bodies including the CRPD
• Prepare and present submissions, policy briefs, and reports grounded in community experience
• Build and sustain relationships with Disabled People’s Organisations, member organisations, multicultural peaks, and sector partners, grow NEDA’s profile, and strengthen advocacy.
• Build and liaise with new and existing stakeholders from disability and CALD communities while growing NEDA’s profile within the public sector.

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Management

• Drive implementation of NEDA’s Strategic Plan and build a compelling vision for the organisation’s future
• Use NEDA as a platform to promote disability rights, cultural diversity, inclusion and access in national conversations
• Manage day-to-day team operations: staff, finances, compliance, and stakeholder-funding obligations
• Identify and pursue grant funding and fee-for-service opportunities to strengthen organisational sustainability

Governance and Board Partnership

• Report to and work in close partnership with the NEDA Board, providing transparent advice and enabling strong governance
• Operate with a clear understanding of NEDA’s governance structure, DPO identity, and obligations to its constituency and funders

What you bring

• Deep commitment to disability rights and the social model of disability, applied as a first-principles lens, not a policy position
• A genuine, deep understanding of the lived experience of CALD people with disability, whether through your own background or sustained meaningful connection to these communities
• Proven federal-level advocacy and government relations experience, engaging ministers, departments (DSS, Health and Aged Care, NDIA), and parliamentary processes
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in a related field
• Senior executive leadership experience in a community, advocacy, or NFP context
• Sound understanding of NEDA’s mission, strategic direction, and the disability and CALD policy landscape
• Strong knowledge and existing networks within the disability sector, DPOs, peak bodies, the CRPD, and relevant legislation
• Experience managing DSS or Commonwealth grant funding and compliance obligations
• Desirable governance background to support the NEDA board in operating the audit and in complying with legislation
• Exceptional communicator across government, sector, community, and media
• Values-driven and hard working ethic, with a willingness to work out-of-hours and travel extensively as needed
• Based in Canberra, ACT, or willing to relocate
• Eligibility to work in Australia, with evidence of work rights provided upon request

About NEDA

The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is Australia’s national Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO), advocating federally for the human rights of people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. A founding member of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPOA), we are a community-based NGO funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA), governed by a Council of state/territory and community representatives, the majority of whom are people with disability from migrant or refugee backgrounds.

Vision: Disability rights and cultural diversity are valued as essential to an equitable society.

Mission: We advocate for our rights as people with disability from CALD backgrounds through providing our voice and participation to represent our experiences and determine policy in, and practice in, all matters that affect us.

Interested?

For a full overview of the role, including the selection criteria, key responsibilities and eligibility requirements, please refer to the attached Position Description.

Applications must be submitted using the ‘Apply now’ button on this page.

The successful candidate will be required to hold a satisfactory National Police Check and Working with Vulnerable People Check prior to commencement.

NEDA strongly encourages applications from people with disability and people from CALD backgrounds.