Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is the national Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) and National Women’s Alliance (NWA) for women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary people with disability in Australia. As a DPO, WWDA is run by and for women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary people with disability. WWDA uses the term ‘women and girls with disability’ (WGWD) on the understanding that this term is inclusive and supportive of, women and girls with disability along with feminine identifying and non-binary people with disability in Australia.

SUMMARY AND BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Policy Officer (Gender Equality) is responsible for a range of policy writing, representation and research tasks as they relate to the objectives of WWDA. The position requires an understanding of Australian gender equality legislative and policy frameworks, the international human rights treaties to which Australia is a party (including how these treaties are operationalised in practice). The position also requires a knowledge of Australian disability legislative and policy frameworks from a policy perspective.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Conduct strategic policy analysis and provide advice to the WWDA CEO, and the WWDA Director of Policy and Advocacy on gender equality and related policy issues relevant to advancing the rights and freedoms of women and girls with disability (WGWD).
2. Undertake analyses of policy reviews, developments and/or reports; prepare, develop and/or contribute to reports, policy submissions, proposals, funding submissions, tenders, and WWDA policies and procedures on a range of issues.
3. Act as the WWDA representative where required on gender equality policy issues pertaining to a range of areas, including but not limited to the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women & the their Children, the National Gender Equality Strategy, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and more.
4. Work with the WWDA CEO and WWDA Director of Policy and Advocacy to expand and further develop collaborative relationships and networks with stakeholders across a wide range of sectors to advance the rights of women and girls with disability, including but not restricted to, the women’s sector, the disability sector, and the human rights sector.
5. Assist the WWDA CEO and WWDA Director of Policy and Advocacy with policy, representation and other work that promotes the rights of women and girls with disability and that builds and strengthens the organisation.
6. Work with the WWDA team to prepare relevant reports, submissions and general correspondence as required for internal and external purposes.
7. Work with the WWDA team to ensure that the organisation’s work authentically reflects the rights, views, wishes and desires of WGWD.
8. Undertake specific and targeted work (including representation duties) as directed by the WWDA CEO, and the WWDA Director of Policy and Advocacy, when, and as required.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. A strong and demonstrable understanding of the human rights model of disability and a sound understanding of the key issues facing women and girls with disability in Australia.
2. High level understanding of Australian gender equality legislative and policy frameworks and the intersection of gender and disability in this context.
3. Demonstrated experience in human rights-based gender equality systemic advocacy.
4. Demonstrated experience in externally funded project funding and delivery, including skills in project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and contractual obligations.
5. Extensive and high-level policy, project management, analytical, strategic thinking and research skills and experience.
6. A demonstrable understanding of intersectionality as it applies to women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary people with disability.
7. High level of initiative, adaptability and flexibility including an ability to deal with pressure, tight timeframes, ambiguity and change, to modify approach and to adapt to new situations and to exercise judgement in complex decision-making.
8. Highly advanced written and oral communication skills for a range of purposes and stakeholders, enabling the development and production of clear, accurate, evidence-based submissions, reports, toolkits, events and communications products.
9. Effectiveness in working with a community based, membership-driven organisation, including meeting accountability requirements.
10. Demonstrable capacity to work autonomously as well as a member of a small team.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field.

And/or:

Extensive experience disability policy, gender equality policy, human rights, systemic advocacy.

DESIRABLE

This position will preferably be filled by a woman with disability.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate will be required to attain a satisfactory Working with Vulnerable Persons/Children check and a national police check.

The successful candidate will also be required to undertake a Job Access assessment (Employee Assistance Fund) in line with WWDA’s Working from Home Policy and OHS obligations.

For further information contact:

Heidi La Paglia Reid

Director, WWDA Policy & Advocacy

Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

[email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Officer - Gender Equality - Remote / Work from Home enquiry via EthicalJobs

A position description is attached.