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.

• Full-time, 38 hours, 5 days per week  
• Permanent 
• Melbourne, but flexible on location

The Senior Policy Officer will support members by providing information, analysis and advice related to government schemes, agencies and departments including the NDIS, the NDIA, the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission (“NDIS Commission”) and the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (“Royal Commission”). They will lead the development of related policy and submissions. The information and analysis undertaken in this role will be used to assist NDS’s advocacy to improve the supports available to people with disability. The position is within the policy and advocacy team but will also work closely with the communications and membership teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide advice to the Head of Policy and Advocacy on strategy, planning and risk management, especially in relation to the Royal Commission and NDIS
• Keep up-to-date with developments in the NDIS, NDIA, NDIS Commission and Royal Commission.
• Provide written, presentation-based, and face-to-face information on the NDIS, NDIA, NDIS Commission and the Royal Commission to staff and members
• Lead the writing of NDS’s submissions related to the NDIS and Royal Commission, including by consulting with NDS members, NDS staff and others
• Working closely with staff involved in NDS’s work on Quality & Safeguards, utilise themes, findings and recommendations emerging from the Royal Commission to drive continuous improvement in members’ service provision
• Use knowledge and insights to contribute to strategy development, policy development & submissions related to key policy areas such as Workforce, Quality & Safeguards and Employment
• Support and contribute to NDS’s internal working groups related to the NDIS and Royal Commission
• Coordinate and support service providers’ meetings to foster information sharing, provide training, and identify and address emerging issues:
  • Support the NDS Royal Commission Community of Practice, by providing updates and responding to queries
  • Support other NDIS related Communities of Practice, by providing updates and responding to queries
• Organise or assist in organisation of members’ meetings, forums, workshops, seminars, training events and conferences, and attend such events
• Respond to NDS Helpdesk questions and member queries related to NDIS, NDIA, NDIS Commission and Royal Commission
• Assist with the management and administration of projects as required

Other Responsibilities:

• Engage as an active team member with the broader Policy & Advocacy team of NDS.
• 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

Skills & Experience:

• A strong understanding of the management, sustainability, capacity and practice challenges faced by not-for-profit human service organisations (or the ability to quickly develop that understanding), and a commitment to contributing to the disability sector;
• Sound knowledge of legislation affecting the activities of NDS and the disability sector more broadly, and the policy environment within which NDS operates;
• Superior policy analysis and development skills in relation to services for people with disabilities;
• Ability to write clear, accurate and cogent reports on complex matters objectively and analytically;
• Demonstrated thorough understanding of public policy processes. A particular focus on disability and other social justice issues would be desirable;
• Ability to undertake advocacy work on behalf of NDS members and network with government and other relevant bodies on public policy issues and contribute to related activities;
• Excellent consultation, communication and interpersonal skills with the demonstrated capacity to motivate, influence, and represent NDS and its projects and policy positions to a wide range of stakeholders, providers and external audiences, to further NDS’ policy positions and objectives;
• High-level document management and information technology skills, including Microsoft Office Suite;
• A tertiary qualification in a related discipline is desirable but not essential;
• Independent travel capability.

What We Offer: 

• Flexible working opportunities
• Salary packaging benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff Rewards & Discounts program
• Learning and development opportunities

To Apply:

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse communities to join NDS.

NDS will provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability throughout the recruitment process. If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Officer - NDIS and Royal Commission enquiry via EthicalJobs or 02 9256 3141 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone).

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the Apply button. For further information please contact [email protected]. Please do not send your application to this email address, as it's for enquiries only. 

The successful applicant must be prepared to undertake a pre-employment police check. In addition, due to the inherent work, health and safety considerations and legislative requirements of this role, they must also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e. double dosed plus recommended booster doses) prior to commencing any work, unless medically exempt.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No agencies please.