Organisational Background

Down Syndrome Australia is the National peak organisation for people living with Down syndrome and their families. Our purpose is to influence social and policy change and provide a national profile and voice for people living with Down syndrome.

Our vision is an Australia where people living with Down syndrome are valued, reach their potential, and enjoy social and economic inclusion. People with Down syndrome are at the centre of all the work that we do. All our work is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Down Syndrome Australia and its member State and Territory Down syndrome organisations work together to provide support for people with Down syndrome and to make Australian society inclusive for people with Down syndrome. We work in partnership to maximise the opportunities and support for people with Down syndrome and their families and support networks.

Positions Available

DSA has opportunities for a full time and a part-time advocacy staff to join our team who will be committed to our purpose of influencing social and policy change and providing a national voice for people living with Down syndrome.

Our advocacy staff will lead the developing, planning and delivery of Down Syndrome Australia’s systemic advocacy program and self-advocacy program, and will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and other organisations.

We are looking for people who have experience in policy, promotional and advocacy work, including co-design of solutions with multiple stakeholders.

We want people who understand and have experience with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, and who know the systems that they interact with, in particular in the NDIS, Education, Health, Housing and Employment. 

The positions available are contract positions for up to 12 months, with opportunities available for ongoing positions. Generous charity salary packaging of over $16,000 per annum is available.

Position Responsibilities

These roles will be responsible for:

• Implementation of advocacy strategies including:
• Development of submissions that reflect DSA’s positions
• Development of new policy position papers
• Attend meetings with external stakeholders
• Support the development of the leadership capacity of people with Down syndrome.
• Develop and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships and collaborations to advance Down Syndrome Australia’s organisational goals
• Develop advocacy campaigns and strategies to influence outcomes for people with Down syndrome
• Support the participation of people with Down syndrome in DSA’s work including leading Down Syndrome Australia’s self-advocacy work in collaboration with the DSA team

Selection Criteria - Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrated commitment to the human rights of people with intellectual disability.
• Experience in the development and delivery of advocacy campaigns and policy work.
• High level interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills and capacity to problem solve.
• Experience managing funded projects and activities including grant reporting and acquittals.
• Ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment of organisational change and competing demands.
• Demonstrated experience in productive working relationships with colleagues, funding bodies, peer organisations and stakeholders to achieve required outcomes.
• Demonstrated high level written, conceptual and analytical skills in policy, advocacy with ability to think critically and laterally to explore and create new and innovative solutions.

Work Environment

This position can be a work from home role from anywhere in Australia, or may be based in an office environment (if desired). The nature of this role and its responsibilities deems that occasionally some work will be required outside normal business hours. Some interstate travel will be required. The successful applicant will initially be employed for a probationary period of six months.

Acceptance of the position involves a willingness to work within the philosophies and policy directions of Down Syndrome Australia. The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks including professional referees, completion of a satisfactory police records check and working with children check.

Down Syndrome Australia is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people with a disability to apply for all positions.