• Employment Type: Fixed Term, Part time
• Time Fraction: Part time, 2 or 3 days per week
• Location: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne and other locations as required. Some working from home is possible.
• Contract Duration: October 2024- 30th June 2025 | Start date is negotiable
• Award: SCHCADS Level 6 Pay point 3, Community development worker, $56.22 per hour

about us

Action for More Independence and Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA) is an advocacy organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with a disability. We receive National Disability Advocacy Program funding focused on the housing rights. We are also funded to provide NDIS Appeals advocacy which is the focus of this role. We also are the lead partner in the consortium managing the Self Advocacy Resource Unit.

Governance

The Commonwealth and State government fund AMIDA. A volunteer Committee of Management (COM), elected annually, governs AMIDA. At least 50% of the COM are disabled people.

Remuneration

The position is as per the Social and Community Services SCHCADS Level 6, pay point 3, Community Development Worker.

Payment currently at $56.22 and we can negotiate part time hours

Day and hours of actual work are negotiable.

About the Position

To work as a member of a team of NDIS Appeals advocates providing individual and systemic advocacy to disabled people in Victoria in an appropriate and timely way to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of rights to supports from the NDIS.

Position reports to: AMIDA Projects Coordinator and the AMIDA Committee of management

Requirements

Police check required: Yes

Working with Children check required: Yes

Reference required: Yes. 3 including 1 from applicants most recent employer

Safety Screening: Yes. Police check and a declaration of any previous formal disciplinary action applied to the applicant in any previous employment is required.

Drivers Licence required: Not essential

Vaccination Certificate: Yes. Evidence of 3 approved COVID 19 vaccinations or exemption

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with a small team of NDIS Appeals advocates already in this role.
• Provide appropriate and timely individual and systemic advocacy to disabled people to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of rights to supports from the NDIS. This will include:
• Explaining the review process, including what is involved in appealing to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT);
• Helping prepare documents;
• Providing advice and skills;
• Attending AAT conferences and hearings.
• Inform disabled people about their rights and responsibilities and support them where possible in making informed decisions and self advocating about NDIS issues that impact on their lives;
• manage intake and provide information and referral for individuals with disabilities, family members and representatives of community service organisations
• Contribute to raising community awareness of disability issues;
• Contribute to government policy, service and program development
• Networking with other advocacy and self-advocacy agencies who are supporting people and confirm referral pathways internally and externally with all the advocacy groups funded for this support
• Communicate and report verbally and in writing internally and externally
• Utilise appropriately the record keeping and IT systems of AMIDA and abide by all AMIDA policies
• Comply with relevant funding body policies and guidelines, service compliance, and Data Exchange Reporting and Protocols

Key Selection Criteria

• An understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the human rights and the social model of disability.
• Experience successfully advocating for and supporting disabled people to achieve their human rights.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with a diverse range of people.
• Understanding of and commitment to the delivery of principled advocacy, which respects and resources people with a disability to decide on advocacy planning and strategies used.
• Familiarity and experience of the NDIS, and disability advocacy in this area
• Experience in clear and timely project reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity and comfort with using digital filing systems and email
• Capacity to research and understand complex legal and policy documentation and demonstrate attention to detail in your work
• Excellent time management skills, priority setting, planning and organising one’s own work but also willingness to be accountable, report on activities and take direction
• Relevant qualifications and or experience in Social and Community work in particular advocacy.

AMIDA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability to apply.

Contact:

Pauline Williams

Projects Co-ordinator

90709038

[email protected], using the subject line: National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Appeals Advocate enquiry via EthicalJobs.