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Systems Advocate

Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion

QAI has a history of advocacy with and for people with disability in that has endured for over thirty years. 

QAI is a thriving systems and individual advocacy organisation dedicated to the promotion, protection and defence of the fundamental needs and rights and lives of the most vulnerable people with disability in Queensland. QAI provides legal services in mental health and human rights law, and non-legal advocacy services in NDIS, education and criminal justice matters. We also publish and educate in our fields of expertise to empower people with disability and their supports to self-advocate and consider law reform and challenging systems as one of our primary purposes. It is an exciting time for disability advocacy in Queensland, with the inquiries undertaken by the Disability Royal Commission and implementation of the Human Rights Act both of which are outcomes from the advocacy efforts of people with disability, QAI and our allies. 

The advertised role is for a Systems Advocate. We are keen to receive applications from advocates with sufficient knowledge and expertise to hold the responsibilities below. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 

The Advocate will be paid at SCHADS award Level 6.1 and will be provided with the opportunity to salary sacrifice. 

This Position reports to the Director of QAI. 

The functions of this role include: 

  • Research and analyse systemic opportunities and threats 
  • Develop policies and lobby for social, cultural, attitudinal, environmental, political and legal change that promotes, protects and defends the rights and lives of vulnerable people with disability 
  • Write position papers, submissions and material in relation to identified priority issues 
  • Undertake responsibility for planning, co-ordination, implementation and administration of campaign work in line with QAI’s priorities, budget and capacity to do the work 
  • Identify and liaise with key players including: the Office of the Public Advocate, Office of the Public Guardian, the NDIA, Queensland Human Rights Commission, Queensland and Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Disability Royal Commission and other entities 
  • Bring together or join with like-minded others to take further action on these issues on behalf of people with disability 
  • Lobby government and community to bring about positive, sustainable change to the lives of people with disability 
  • Monitor achievements and report in line with QAI’s policy. 

The successful applicant will be well versed in the issues pertaining to people with disability and have knowledge of the processes within government and NDIS and able to demonstrate the following selection criteria

  1. Commitment to social justice principles including the promotion and protection of the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. 
  2. A deep understanding of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, the social model of disability and what can make people vulnerable. 
  3. Experience in the social model of advocacy. 
  4. Be well informed of current government and community attitudes and policies and their effects on the lives of people with disability. 
  5. Experience in research and analysis of systemic opportunities and threats. 
  6. Experience in the development of policies and the ability to lobby for social, cultural, attitudinal, environmental, political and legal change that promotes, protects and defends the rights and lives of vulnerable people with disability. 
  7. Demonstrated ability to write position papers, persuasive submissions and material in relation to identified priority issues. 
  8. Experience in planning, co-ordination, implementation and administration of campaign work. 
  9. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, specifically the ability to converse with people at grass roots, as well as those in positions of authority to affect change in the lives of people with disability. 
  10. The ability to work non-confrontationally, yet persuasively, and demonstrated success in leadership, supervision and teamwork, including collaboration with external stakeholders. 
  11. Excellent written and oral communication skills to a wide variety of audiences, including to people with mental illness, intellectual disability and cognitive impairment. 
  12. Driven by integrity, responsibility, accountability, attention to detail and pride in work. 
  13. Prior experience in the disability, mental health or social services sectors would be advantageous. 

A position description is attached.

How to apply

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