Supporting the Policy and Government Relations Manager (PGRM) in driving systemic change for people with physical disability across NSW, the Senior Policy Officer will produce high quality, evidence-based policy outputs, lead systemic projects, and identify, prioritise, and research current and emerging issues to facilitate the full participation, equality of opportunity and inclusion of people with a physical disability in NSW community.

Duties to include:

• Identify, prioritise, and research current and emerging issues to facilitate the full participation, equality of opportunity and equality of citizenship of people with a physical disability across NSW
• Identify, research, and respond to relevant enquiries, submissions and reports and take lead in responding to enquiries, submissions, and reports
• Assist in the determination of priority proactive focus areas and in developing policy positions on issues relevant to people with a physical disability in NSW
• Provide input into PDCN planning, development, and delivery of projects
• Lead strategic projects and assist in identifying new projects which facilitate the full participation, equality of opportunity and equality of citizenship of people with a physical disability
• Conduct surveys, collate survey data, and produce final analysis of data responses for inclusion across evidence-based policy outputs
• Design and facilitate consultations with people with physical disability
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to exchange current information, and best practice principles
• Assist facilitation of the PDCN Lived Experience Advisory Panel group and other advisory bodies
• Attend advisory boards/committees as a representative of PDCN and to promote the collective interests of the physical disability community
• Provide support to the PGRM and Chief Executive Officer in relation to media inquiries
• Represent PDCN at external meetings, forums, expos
• May provide supervision to junior staff, students, and volunteers
• Assist with general office tasks as required (phone support/enquiries)

Talents and Capabilities

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice issues
• Excellent analytical skills and the capacity to think strategically
• Demonstrated capacity to take initiative, responsibility for tasks, and work independently
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a small, tight-knit team
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities
• An ability to build and maintain strong relationships and collaborative partnerships with member groups and other stakeholders

Selection Criteria

• At least 3 years’ experience in an equivalent role
• Qualifications in law, public policy, social work, or political economy
• Demonstrated high level research skills, including the capacity to design surveys and analyse data responses, as well as a track record of high quality, evidence based, policy outputs
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders
• Demonstrated high level organisational skills, including the capacity to prioritise, meet deadlines and respond to time sensitive issues
• Demonstrated capacity to manage complex projects
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate consultations
• Capacity to show initiative, and work independently
• Capacity to support junior policy staff, students and/or volunteers
• High level computer literacy, including the ability to use Microsoft Office suite, and work with online databases
• The ability to travel within NSW at times to undertake role requirements

Desirable

• Lived experience of physical disability is highly considered for this role
• Prior knowledge and understanding of systemic issues impacting the disability community

Other Requirements

• NSW Police Check, Working with Children Check, COVID 19 Vaccination
• Current driver’s licence (preferred)

Benefits

This position is paid under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award Level 6 (plus Govt guarantee superannuation and leave loading)

You will have the opportunity to also access a range of benefits including:

• Salary packaging (reduce the tax you pay and increase your take home pay)
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements

Please direct any questions about this position to [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Policy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs, or phone (02) 9552 1606.

A position description is attached.