OUR ORGANISATION

We are the national representative body for a network of advocacy organisations throughout Australia.

Our vision is to provide a collective voice on the value of independent advocacy to support and promote the rights of people living with disability.

Our purpose is to strengthen and support disability advocacy organisations across Australia by:

• promoting the role and value of independent advocacy, 
• giving our members a collective voice,
• supporting communication and the sharing of information between advocacy organisations,
• providing support and development for members, staff, and volunteers of advocacy organisations,
• promoting or starting research that support our vision and purpose, and
• promoting the human rights, needs and value of people with disabilities.

We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity.  People with disability are actively encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ADVOCACY

An initiative under Australia’s Disability Strategy, the National Centre for Advocacy will aim to improve access to, and quality of, individual advocacy services, including by introducing best practice service delivery models. It will do this by building sector capacity, addressing unmet need and by identifying systemic issues.

Building sector capacity

The Centre will strengthen communities of practice across the sector; co-ordinate networks and forums; and share strategies and good practice in relation to advocacy skills and strategies, meeting the diverse needs of people with disability, specific advocacy issues and improved governance.  

The Centre will also educate and raise awareness of independent advocacy by consulting with key disability and mainstream services on strategies to raise awareness of disability advocacy, its availability and benefits, among people with disability, families, carers, the disability support workforce and general population.  

Addressing unmet need 

The Centre will work with advocacy organisations and other agencies to develop intake, triaging and waitlist protocols used across the sector. Better data-sharing will enable the Centre to monitor the management of demand for disability advocacy and the capacity levels across the sector. 

Identifying systemic issues 

The Centre will be a conduit for systemic issues, developing and implementing a process to monitor, identify and elevate systemic issues for people with disability and bringing them to the attention of government and broader civil society.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Manager, National Centre for Advocacy will oversee the development and implementation of the functions of the Centre, including training and capacity building activities, development of advocacy tools and resources, and employing, onboarding and training the Centre’s project team.

The Manager will work closely with the Executive to establish the Centre, its program logic, priorities, values and principles.

The Manager, National Centre for Advocacy reports to the CEO.

KEY OUTCOMES

• Establish clear and consistent frameworks which inform the way advocacy services are delivered, underpinned by evidence.
• Work with individual advocacy organisations to improve service model effectiveness and operations.
• Ensure advocacy sector staff have access to training and education which is evidence-based and helps to maintain their skills and knowledge to deliver high quality support.
• Establish clear processes for systemic issues in the advocacy sector to be raised with relevant government and non-government bodies.
• Work to improve the design of programs and policies that impact people with disability.
• Ensure the sector has data to better understand and inform current and future needs for evidence-based advocacy services. 

KEY ACTIVITIES

• Consult and co-design with the sector on the needs of the advocacy sector (including service delivery models, service quality outcomes and workforce development). 
• Provide ongoing professional development to the advocacy workforce including through networking forums; practice-based research and tools; and education, training and conferences.
• Develop an outreach and education plan to ensure the benefits of the sector are communicated more broadly.
• Identify and elevate systemic issues within the sector.
• Undertake activities to build understanding of, and respond to, need and unmet need for the sector.
• Provide resources and advice to individual advocacy organisations which improve their service delivery model and operating effectiveness.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Centre to achieve the outcomes required, and in accordance with co-design principles and practices.
• Manage all Centre staff.
• Provide operational and other reports to the Board and CEO as required.
• Provide Activity Work Plans and Progress Reports to funders.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• DANA Board.
• Chief Executive Officer.
• NDAP.
• DSS.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Tertiary qualifications in a discipline which supports the duties of the position.
• Substantial senior management experience and expertise.
• High level experience in establishing, implementing and managing complex projects.
• Sound organisational and planning skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively and collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and partners.
• Extensive experience and expertise in managing and coaching multidisciplinary staff.
• High level of interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• High level experience and expertise in monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and measuring impact.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employment is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, Child Related Employment Screening Check.
• Undertake out of hours work as required. Additional work time is compensated by time-in-lieu.

DUTY STATEMENT 

CENTRE MANAGEMENT 

• Establish, implement and manage the values, principles and functions of the National Centre for Advocacy in close consultation with the CEO and COO.
• Work collaboratively with the sector to co-design the values, principles and functions for the Centre.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the functions of the Centre, including training and capacity building activities and the development of advocacy tools and resources.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the values, principles and functions of the Centre.
• Provide management support to team members, including supervision, professional development, monitoring of work plans, and reporting.
• Promote the values, principles and functions of the Centre through a detailed communications plan, and at events, meetings and in other fora.
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of all reporting required for the Centre in accordance with funding agreements.
• Complete required Board Reports in a timely and effective manner.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

• Manage the Centre budget accurately, prudently and in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Ensure the Centre budget is accurate and is reviewed and approved by the Finance and Risk Committee.
• Ensure all Centre staff understand and adhere to the Centre budget.
• Provide regular reports on the financial position of the Centre. 

GENERAL

• Represent DANA in a professional manner at all times, and in accordance with our purpose and values.
• Comply with all relevant WH&S requirements.
• Complete required tasks – such as budget input, Operational Reports - in an effective and timely manner.
• Undertake other duties, as required.