• Level 5 – 6 SCHADS Modern Award – depending on experience
• 5 days (38 hours) per week
• Salary packaging available
• 12 month contract

Side By Side Advocacy is a specialist disability advocacy organisation working to advance the rights, inclusion and self-determination of people with intellectual disability across NSW.

We work within a strong human rights framework and are committed to the leadership and participation of people with intellectual disability in all areas of our work. Our systemic advocacy focuses on influencing laws, policies, systems and community attitudes to remove barriers and advance inclusion, rights and self-determination.

A core part of this work is ensuring the expertise and lived experience of people with intellectual disability directly informs policy development, service reform and program implementation.

We are seeking an experienced and thoughtful Systemic Advocate to help drive strategic social change work across NSW and support people with intellectual disability to strengthen their leadership, advocacy and influence in systemic reform.

This is an opportunity to contribute to high-impact advocacy in partnership with people with intellectual disability, government, community organisations and sector allies. The role will suit someone with strong policy, advocacy and relationship-building skills who is committed to disability rights and social justice.

You will join a skilled and collaborative team and receive ongoing professional development, supervision and support.

About the role

The Systemic Advocate leads and contributes to advocacy initiatives that improve systems, policy and practice affecting people with intellectual disability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying and analysing systemic barriers and emerging issues
• Developing advocacy strategies and social change campaigns
• Preparing submissions, policy papers, reports and consultation responses
• Building strategic alliances and working collaboratively across the disability, community and government sectors
• Supporting the advocacy related leadership and participation of people with intellectual disability
• Facilitating consultations, forums and community engagement activities across NSW to reach people with intellectual disability who often miss out on having their voices heard
• Co-designing accessible resources and co-presenting workshops and capacity-building activities with people with intellectual disability
• Representing Side By Side Advocacy in meetings, working groups, consultations and public forums
• Contributing to organisational reporting, evaluation and strategic priorities
• Working flexibly in response to emerging advocacy issues and community priorities

The role involves occasional travel across NSW and some evening and weekend work.

Essential selection criteria

Applications must address the essential criteria.

1. Demonstrated commitment to the rights, inclusion and self-determination of people with disability, particularly people with intellectual disability
2. Experience in systemic advocacy, social policy, law reform, community organising, campaigning or related fields
3. Demonstrated ability to develop and coordinate advocacy or social change initiatives that influence systems, policy or community outcomes
4. Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify systemic issues and develop evidence-based advocacy positions
5. Highly developed written communication skills, including experience preparing submissions, policy papers, reports, briefings or other advocacy materials
6. Highly developed verbal communication and representation skills, including the ability to engage effectively with government, community organisations, sector stakeholders and people with disability
7. Experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships, alliances and coalitions across diverse stakeholder groups
8. Ability to communicate complex information in clear, accessible and respectful ways, including a commitment to plain English and inclusive communication practices
9. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and contribute effectively within a team environment
10. Understanding of disability rights, relevant service systems and current issues affecting people with intellectual disability, including the NDIS and broader social policy environment
11. Strong organisational and technology skills, including experience using Microsoft Office and client or project databases
12. Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, social policy, law, community development, public policy, political science or a related field, or equivalent experience

Highly desirable

• Experience working directly alongside people with intellectual disability
• Experience co-designing projects, resources or consultations with people with disability
• Knowledge of human rights frameworks relevant to disability advocacy, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Established networks within the disability, legal, advocacy or community sectors
• Experience engaging with government reform processes, parliamentary inquiries or public consultations

Additional information

Applicants must have:

• The right to work in Australia
• The ability to travel within NSW
• A valid driver licence and access to a vehicle, or access to suitable private transport
• The capacity to occasionally work evenings and weekends.

A satisfactory National Police Check and Working With Children Check are required before commencement.

Salary packaging options are available.

The role is based in Parramatta, close to public transport.

People with disability are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive recruitment processes. Please let us know if you require adjustments during recruitment.

For more information, contact Kim via [email protected] using the subject line: Systemic Advocate enquiry via EthicalJobs or by phone on (02) 9808 5500.

A position description is attached.