Exciting opportunity to ensure the voices of older people are actively included to inform policy and practice, making a difference to older people accessing aged care.

Apply your experience in consumer engagement to support older people to share their experiences and ensure their voices are heard at both a systemic policy and practice level.

• Making a difference in the lives of older people accessing aged care
• Hybrid work environment, working 3 days in the office in North Brisbane or Sydney
• Collaborative and positive work environment

Impact of the organisation

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is the peak body for aged care advocacy and consists of nine state and territory members that provide free, confidential and independent information and support to older people seeking or receiving government-funded aged care as well as their families and other representatives.

OPAN works with the government to influence aged care policy through systemic advocacy. OPAN’s vision is a society where older people are heard, informed and respected and where they enjoy and exercise their human rights.

Impact you will have in this role

The Consumer Engagement Officer plays a key role in supporting and coordinating OPAN’s engagement with older people to enable systemic advocacy based on their voices and experiences to drive the transformation of aged care.

This includes implementing and evaluating OPAN’s Consumer Engagement Framework, coordinating, supporting and developing the National Older Persons Reference Group (NOPRG) and Community Voices members, supporting their participation in OPAN and other activities and consultations, and ensuring engagement activities are inclusive, well-structured and well-documented.

This is an important opportunity to lift the voices of older people across our community and ensure they are heard by external stakeholders, including the government.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engagement by older people in meetings, consultations and webinars
• Build OPAN’s engagement activities with older people seeking or receiving aged care
• Ensuring support and coordination of the NOPRG and Community Voices members, including responding to enquiries in a timely and empathetic manner
• Support the involvement of older people in conferences, advisory groups and other OPAN activities
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records in Salesforce, including member information, agendas and reports
• Collaborate with internal teams to facilitate and promote older people’s input into OPAN’s work
• Assist in developing and strengthening relationships with older people across all areas of aged care, especially residential aged care
• Ensure engagement activities are inclusive and meet the needs of people from diverse and marginalised backgrounds
• Promote and support a commitment to lifting the voices of older people across our community

Skills and Experience

• Proven success in a similar role focused on consumer engagement, community development or volunteer coordination within the aged care or disability sectors
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting choice and control and the human rights of older people
• Understanding of the supports needed by older people to participate fully in engagement activities
• Excellent communication skills, with an ability to build rapport and communicate with empathy
• Ability to break down complex concepts into clear, accessible language that resonates with a range of audiences
• Experience in facilitating meetings or group discussions, and preparing reports based on gathered feedback
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with intermediate to advanced MS Office skills
• Experience delivering inclusive, culturally safe, and responsive services that respect and reflect community diversity
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Proactive, detail-oriented and responsive, with strong problem-solving skills
• A genuine passion for amplifying the voices and experiences of older people
• Ability to travel as required
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check

OPAN acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first people of Australia and the sovereign Custodians of the country, and in supporting the human rights of older people recognises and respects the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. OPAN is an EEO employer and we value diversity within our organisation.

Applications

If you're passionate about amplifying the voices of older people and want to play a key role in shaping aged care reform across Australia, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please click Apply Now and upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in the role.

For any questions or a confidential discussion, please contact Nadia Pachon at [email protected] or Chloe Barton at [email protected] using the subject line: Consumer Engagement Officer - Aged Care - Older Persons Advocacy Network enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Impact Advising is committed to creating diverse and inclusive work environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. We believe that diversity enriches organisations and fosters innovation. We are dedicated to building workforces that are a representative of the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our society.

We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and cultural background. We actively seek to foster inclusive workplaces where all employees can bring their whole selves to work, feel respected and valued, and have equal opportunities for growth and advancement.

We are committed to providing a fair and unbiased recruitment process, and we strive to eliminate any barriers that may impede the inclusion and participation of underrepresented groups in workforces.