ABOUT PWDA:

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is a national disability rights organisation. Its membership is made up of people with disability and organisations primarily constituted by people with disability. PWDA was founded in 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons, to provide people with disability with a voice of our own. PWDA has a cross disability focus – we represent the interests of people with all kinds of disability. PWDA is a non-profit, non-government organisation. We employ over 50 staff with 30% working in regional areas.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The National Redress Scheme was launched by the Federal Government in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. People with Disability Australia (PWDA) provide confidential and free support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse with disability who are considering applying for Redress.

The Project Officer/Advocate will, in collaboration with the Manager & Specialist Advocate, conduct research, stakeholder and community engagement to support people with disability who face barriers to access the scheme. They will also provide, as required information, support, assisted referrals, and individual advocacy to people with disability, who are survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and who are seeking redress through the National Redress Scheme, or alternative avenues.

Please note: This role will involve exposure to information about child sexual assault and other forms of violence and will include working, at times, with clients in heightened states of distress. The Project Officer/Advocate will have access to monthly, external clinical supervision, monthly, onsite group supervision (facilitated by a trauma specialist) as well as to PWDA’s generous EAP.

Award Classification is Level 5 under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Award 2010. For more information about the role, please read the position description. For any further information about this role, please contact Karen Kobier, Manager & Specialist Advocate, Redress Project ([email protected]).

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential

• Understanding of the social model of disability and practical commitment to the human rights of people with disability.
• Demonstrated experience working with people with disability, including those who have been subject to violence.
• Understanding of the range of possible impacts violence can have on people with disability and useful practice responses to people with disability who are impacted by violence.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the National Redress Scheme.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to liaise with a wide range of people such as survivors, their families, friends, service providers and government departments.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage time frames and competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with people in stress or crisis.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, which includes respect for culture, Aboriginality, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, age and disability.

Desirable

• Personal or family experience of disability.
• Previous experience in the advocacy, health, community or legal services sector.
• Degree in social sciences or related discipline and membership of or eligibility to join your professional association.

Click Apply Now to apply. If you need to submit your application in an alternative format, please contact us using the contact details below:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (02) 9370 3100 or 1800 422 015
TTY: 1800 422 016