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Policy Officer

Queenslanders with Disability Network
  • Classification: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 – Social and Community Services Employee, Level 5
  • Hours: Up to 38 hours per week
  • Location: Brisbane – travel as required

ABOUT QUEENSLANDERS WITH DISABILITY NETWORK LTD (QDN)

QDN is a member-based representative body of over 2000 people with a disability and their supporters. Our vision is that people with disability are active and valued citizens of Queensland. Our mission is to empower people with disability to be fully included as citizens in the social and economic life of the community.

QDN’s work is centred around a strong state-wide network of people with disability across Queensland, to inform, connect, lead and influence change to deliver an inclusive Queensland community.

QDN EXISTS TO

  • Promote and maintain active, vibrant local networks that inform our work and build local capacity;
  • Enhance the leadership and influencing capability of people with a disability;
  • Let people know about the lives of people with disability and how to best engage with us;
  • Influence governments and others to bring about full and equal participation, citizenship and protection of rights for all;
  • Grow an independently sustainable, effective, accountable and rights-based organisation that reflects our vision, mission, values and principles.

QDN undertakes systemic advocacy and policy work, runs an industry consulting practice (QDeNgage), and delivers funded projects, all aligned with QDN’s vision, mission, values and principles.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS AND REPORTING STRUCTURES

The Policy Officer reports directly to the Director, Policy & Strategic Engagement. This position works as part of a team where interdependencies and collaboration with col­leagues, QDN members and internal and external stakeholders are critical to the successful delivery of projects, services and activities.

POSITION SCOPE AND PURPOSE

The Policy Officer is responsible for assisting with engagement with people with disability, community and key stakeholders to gain information, build capacity and inform and undertake key systemic policy work. They are accountable for the delivery of work assignments and projects, recognising when matters need to be referred to management for resolution.

They will work to ensure the timely achievement of deliverables, within agreed budgets and performance levels. The position may require some travel.

The appointee will work within the requirements of relevant legislation including the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019, and QDN’s Quality System, demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and contribute to internal and external auditing processes as required under ISO9000.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Fulfil this role in accordance with QDN’s policies and procedures, and:

  1. Anticipate and identify policy issues, undertake research, analysis and conceptualise solutions with regards to QDN’s policy and systemic advocacy work, with one of the key focuses upon disability and housing issues impacting people with disability.
  2. Develop and deliver engagement activities that build the capacity and leadership of people with disability to engage and have a voice within the policy context.
  3. Establish and maintain productive working relationships with relevant government, private and not-for-profit organisations, to influence state and national policy and represent the position and views of QDN to all relevant internal and external stakeholders in a way that enhances the reputation of the organisation.
  4. Produce content for media statements, briefings, reports, submissions, presentations, newsletters, website content, publications, communication material and other sources of information.
  5. Undertake implementation of membership growth strategies to influence the growth and development of QDN membership, in line with organisational goals.
  6. Ability to work independently, exercising appropriate initiative and judgement to solve problems.
  7. Other duties as requested by the CEO or line manager.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

  1. Demonstrated commitment to a rights-based approach to disability advocacy and awareness of the diversity within disability.
  2. Experience in anticipating and identifying public policy issues, undertaking research, analysis and conceptualising of solutions with regards to issues involving people with disability and housing or other policy areas such as health, employment, transport, or the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
  3. Experience in engaging and maintaining positive working relationships with various stakeholders, such as relevant government and non- government stakeholders, people with disabilities or staff to identify policy issues and priorities, generate policy options and provide a strong evidence base for influencing public policy outcomes in politically sensitive environments.
  4. Experience in researching and preparing written documentation, such as submissions and reports, briefing papers, letters, fact sheets, and presentations relating to policy issues.
  5. Experience in capturing feedback on issues or themes emerging from wider engagement activities to inform policy development, research and advocacy activities.
  6. Excellent organisational skills, with the flexibility to prioritise a range of competing demands and work to deadlines.
  7. Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to:
    • provide information and advice to a range of stakeholders including QDN members, supporters and allies, Government and Community stakeholders
    • effectively communicate information and ideas and work cooperatively with other
    • work as part of a team in a complex and changing environment, and ability to manage competing demands within limited timeframes.
  8. Ability to work autonomously, exercising appropriate initiative and judgement to solve problems, and deliver on work requirements/expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Tertiary qualifications (or equivalent) and relevant experience in the areas of disability, human services and/or social sciences.

REMUNERATION AND CONDITIONS

The position is based in Brisbane, however travel may be required.

QDN operates under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 and the position is paid as a Social and Community Services Employee, Level 5 for up to 38 hours per week.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

The ability to gain a cleared National Police History Check and possess a current Queensland Driver’s Licence.

The appointee must ensure that they hold and keep current the required registration to perform in the role (e.g. yellow or blue card, AHPRA, driver’s licence) and advise QDN of any change in circumstances that may impact on the continuation of registration or licence.

A Job Description is available on our website www.qdn.org.au.

QDN is a proud employer of people with disability, and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. We are an EEO employer and we embrace the diversity of our people, such as diversity in disability, race, cultural background, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation or intersex status.

Should you require further information please contact Michelle Moss, Director Policy and Strategic Engagement at [email protected], using the subject line: Policy Officer enquiry via ETHICAL JOBS, or call 07 3252 8566.

How to apply

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