National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's peak body for non-government disability service organisations, representing over 1200 service providers and their workforce of over 150 thousand people who collectively provide support services for nearly 2 million people with disability.

NDS has a strong and influential presence in every state and territory across Australia. Our core functions are to advocate to government for sector-wide changes and improvements, to inform our members about issues that impact them, and to provide resources and services that assist them to deliver sustainable high quality support services for people with disability.

NDS employees have the passion to make a difference, are driven to deliver the highest quality support and services to our members, and thrive in an environment of positive change and continuous improvement. If this sounds like you, check out this opportunity below!  Or, to find out more about NDS, please visit our website.

About the Role

• Full-time, 38 hours, 5 days per week  
• Permanent 
• Sydney, or any other capital city location

The Head of Workforce is responsible for leading NDS’s work in the workforce space and includes:

• Supporting the delivery of overall NDS strategy
• Designing strategy to drive and influence change in disability services workforce
• Supporting the development of policy positions to influence government approach to disability workforce development
• Developing a skills and knowledge base with a stable resource base
• Delivering aligned projects that support the delivery of the workforce strategy as well as the disability sector more generally

Key Responsibilities

Policy & Advocacy:

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of, and provide policy advice to NDS on, all matters relating to the continuing development of the disability sector workforce
• Advocate on operational and wider policy issues concerning the disability sector workforce, including labour supply, working conditions, qualifications, access to  development and leadership 
• Organise or participate in organising forums, workshops, seminars, training events and conferences, and attend such events relating to disability sector workforce development
• Coordinate and lead national communities of practice that relate to disability sector workforce development
• Provide advice and support to the NDS Executive Team, Board and Divisional Committees as required

Project Delivery:

• Identify, secure and coordinate the delivery of relevant projects across all states and territories relating to disability services workforce development
• Contribute to the development of standard project management tools and processes that support successful project outcomes
• Develop project management skills and capabilities within the Workforce practice to support successful project outcomes
• Build NDS knowledge, expertise and capabilities in workforce that can be leveraged for new projects 

Internal Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work with State and Territory managers and the Business Development Manager to identify, design and secure projects that address sector workforce needs
• Establish and maintain information-sharing mechanisms with State & Territory Managers to keep them abreast of current projects, progress, completions and evaluations and ensure any issues and concerns are identified and managed  
• Leverage, build, support and contribute to the maintenance of relationships State & Territory Managers hold with current and potential project funders and partners
• Work closely with other Heads of practice areas to identify synergies across all NDS projects 

External Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government, business, disability service providers and other relevant bodies
• Actively manage intergovernmental relations, advocate and network with government and other relevant bodies on related public policy issues.  Work in conjunction with Sate and Territory Managers on state government relations  
• Effectively represent NDS on consultative and other advisory bodies as required 
• Make presentations at a range of forums including members’ meetings, seminars, parliamentary committees and conferences

Leadership & Management:

• Develop, implement and report on strategic, operational and business plans for the Workforce Practice division, aligned with NDS’s strategic direction
• In partnership with CEO, COO and Head of Policy and Advocacy, oversee the management of all financial, corporate and governance requirements for the Workforce Practice division
• Work collaboratively across NDS’s internal divisions and corporate services
• Lead and manage the Workforce Practice division in accordance with NDS policy and procedures
• Role model and demonstrate alignment with NDS organisational values

Other Responsibilities (applicable for all NDS employees):

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required by manager/supervisor from time to time
• Comply with NDS’s policies and procedures at all times, including (but not limited to) HR, Quality, Work Health & Safety (WHS), IT, Security, and Data Privacy
• Demonstrate the NDS values of respect, teamwork & collaboration, leadership, innovation and accountability in all interactions