Your strong background in policy and research will support the systemic advocacy work of STAR Victoria by identifying the issues emerging from the individual advocacy work, as well as engaging with significant policy and legislative processes that affect the lives of people with intellectual disability and their families. You will assist the Executive Officer and other staff and volunteers to research and identify key policy issues, engage with government agencies and other relevant stakeholders, and develop evidence-based policy advice which assists in the delivery of policy and regulatory reform aligned to STAR’s Strategic Advocacy goals.

REPORTING TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER YOU WILL:

• Ensure STAR actively participates in policy and regulatory reform and other government processes that impact on the lives of people with intellectual disability and their families
• Support the Executive Officer in representing STAR’s interests through research, evidence and best practice recommendations for written submissions relevant to STAR’s priorities
• Support the Executive Officer and Committee members in representing STAR on government working groups, stakeholder reference groups and other forums relevant to STAR's advocacy priorities
• Work with the Executive Officer and other staff and volunteers to engage members, supporters and the wider community on issues relevant to people with intellectual disability, and broadly increase community understanding of the challenges and aspirations of those people and their families
• Identify systemic issues that STAR can advocate to government, peak bodies and service providers
• Participate in the Policy Working Group to further the Systemic Advocacy Program in collaboration with other members
• Network with partner agencies to strengthen external relationships, share resources and information sharing within the sector

SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Excellent written and research skills with a demonstrated capacity to present a compelling case for change
• An understanding of the policy and regulatory context relevant to the disability sector in Victoria
• Experience working within the disability sector with a demonstrated commitment to inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities
• An understanding of barriers faced by people with intellectual disabilities in settings such as employment, education and accommodation

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Commitment to the rights and empowerment of people with intellectual disability and their families
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proven ability to integrate knowledge from a range of sources, including case studies from individual and self advocacy, and synthesise this information to develop policy positions and proposals
• The ability to communicate research findings to a range of audiences, translating theoretical, technical, statistical concepts and case studies into accessible papers, reports and/or presentations
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with minimum supervision and to be self-motivated
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office and other standard software applications
• Ability to travel throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area
• A relevant tertiary qualification

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

• The position description is indicative of the initial expectation of the role and subject to changes to STAR Victoria's goals and priorities
• Part time (0.6 FTE)
• 6 month contract

Questions about this role should be directed to Denise Boyd at [email protected], using the subject line: Policy Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs or call 03 9650 2730.

A position description is attached.