Job Summary
- Applications close:
- Job posted on: 19th Feb 2020
This role will not have an office base, but there is an expectation that the Connector will be based in the region and work from their home with appropriate IT, supervisory and team support from NDS.
NDS is the national industry association for disability services, representing approximately 1,100 non-government service providers. Collectively, our members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. NDS’s members range in size from small support groups to large multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia.
NDS promotes the full inclusion of people with disability and this commitment is outlined in our Disability Action Plan (DAP).
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has funded National Disability Services (NDS) for a project in which a Disability Workforce Innovation Connector team will operate across regional Victoria.
Workforce shortages and opportunities occur within a multifaceted ecosystem and require a systemic response. Furthermore, past experience indicates that effective solutions to workforce challenges often need to be location-based. Regional and rural areas face real challenges in achieving sufficient appropriately-skilled workers to meet NDIS-driven demand for disability, allied health and community mental health services.
This workforce project is facilitating the diffusion, spread and sustainability of innovative and good work practices, with an emphasis on leveraging existing expertise and resources, sharing good practice, and connecting and engaging with local stakeholders in regional areas. It will seek to align with concurrent workforce and NDIS transition initiatives, develop market and workforce intelligence and will support effective implementation of workforce grants.
The Disability Workforce Innovation Connectors (DWICs) are each based in one of four geographic regions within Victoria. They work as part of a team; closely integrated with other NDS activities, but based locally. The roles focus on connecting with local disability workforce stakeholders, identifying local workforce priorities, leveraging existing workforce resources and tools to assist service provider and other stakeholders, and facilitating a series of workshops. The DWICs work with workforce grant applicants (including consortia), and where possible coach successful grant holders to ensure effective implementation of initiatives. They have a focus on promoting and embedding innovative and effective workforce practices.
The DWIC is expected to work from home, with appropriate support from NDS. They will be part of a small team responsible for engaging with stakeholders across broad geographic regions.