• Level 5 SCHADS Modern Award
• Permanent part time
• 2 days (15.2 hours) per week

Side By Side Advocacy is a not for profit advocacy organisation in West Ryde. We specialise in providing advocacy for people with intellectual disability.

Side By Side Advocacy follows principles and practices that affirm the dignity of people with disability and relies upon proven frameworks such as Social Role Valorisation and the National Standards for Disability Services.

The role of Advocate involves acting on behalf of persons with disability who need advocacy assistance. Areas of assistance may include but are not limited to: housing, employment, health, education, consumer matters, relationship related issues. The role also involves assisting people with advocacy related to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – ranging from internal reviews to appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

The successful candidate will:

• Inform people with disability about their rights and responsibilities and support them where possible in making informed decisions about issues that impact on their lives
• Assist people with disability to consider their advocacy options
• Provide appropriate and timely advocacy to people with disability that addresses instances of abuse, discrimination and neglect
• Respond to advocacy queries, assess need and make appropriate referrals
• Provide advocacy advice to assist people with disability and their families, friends and allies to self-advocate
• Identify and develop government, community and interpersonal networks
• Acquire and maintaining current and relevant information and resources available to support people with disability
• Maintain sophisticated knowledge of NDIS and AAT processes
• Contribute to raising community awareness of disability issues
• Conduct and/or arrange and facilitate individual or group sessions to develop self-advocacy skills in people with disability both face to face and remotely
• Provide guidance to people with disability as regards internal and external reviews of NDIS decisions
• Assist applicants/participants seeking review of NDIA decisions via the AAT, including preparation of documents, attending hearings and conferences, and making referrals
• Create resources, including a video resource, to assist people with disability have a better understanding as required
• Collate relevant documentation, records and maintain an information database
• Assist with evaluations and events of Side By Side Advocacy
• Work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Any other duties or projects within your skills, qualifications and experience, as Side By Side Advocacy may require, to meet its operational requirements.

It is expected that this role will predominantly take place in the office of Side By Side Advocacy and will involve both engaging with people with disability face to face and remotely.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to addressing the rights and needs of people with disability and insight into the social vulnerability of people with intellectual disability
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate as part of a team
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated multi-tasking and organisational skills
• Demonstrated coordination and time-management skills
• An understanding of the issues faced by people with a disability in their engagement with the NDIS
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma informed practice and/or willingness to undertake appropriate training
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft suite of programs
• Ability to accurately collect statistics, record data, and maintain records using an online database
• Evidence of tertiary qualifications and demonstrated experience in a discipline such as Law, Legal Studies, or other relevant qualification including Social Sciences or similar.

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working with people with intellectual disability
• Previous experience of working with NDIS participants
• Experience creating resources for people with disability
• Strong technology skills including experience in the creation and editing of video resources
• Knowledge of NDIS appeals process, or the Administrative Appeals process or similar tribunal
• Experience in interpreting legislation.

The successful candidate will have:

• The right to work in Australia
• Willingness to complete and provide a satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check
• Provide evidence of, or be willing to acquire, relevant vaccinations as required by the role including for Covid-19.

People with disability are encouraged to apply for this role.

If you have questions about the role you can contact Kim Roots at [email protected] using the subject line: Advocate enquiry via EthicalJobs or on 02 9808 5500.

A position description is attached.