About the organisation

JFA Purple Orange is an Adelaide-based social-profit organisation with a mission to create a more inclusive world where people with disability have access to the same opportunities as everyone else. In additional to our Adelaide-based operations, we undertake work in seven regional locations throughout South Australia. We are expanding our regional presence.

We host peer networks and other events for people with disability and their families to connect with information and each other. We conduct research, run consultations and contribute to policy development. We also deliver projects that influence practice. We work closely with people with disability, in line with the principles of co-design. Most of our staff has lived experience of disability.

About the role

Do you want to make a real contribution to supporting the independence, power, choice and control of people with disability?

Do you live in Mount Gambier (or nearby) and want to support greater opportunities for the local disability community, with a particular focus on employment?

The aim of the Regional Project Officer position is to support JFA Purple Orange operations in regional and remote South Australia. This includes project, policy and advocacy work; relationship-building in regional areas; and collaborating with metro-based staff.

The Regional Project Officer will work alongside a Regional Lead (based in Mount Gambier), with support from a Manager of Policy and Projects in Adelaide.

The Regional Project Officer is responsible for:

• Supporting the operations of regional peer networks;
• Helping to recognise gaps and barriers in projects and work with the project team to address them;
• Contribute to increasing JFA Purple Orange’s understanding of the experiences and aspirations of people with disability in regional areas, as well as the issues they face;
• Promoting the work of JFA Purple Orange in regional areas, particularly Mount Gambier and surrounds;
• Supporting the development and delivery of a co-designed regional disability employment project in Mount Gambier and surrounds;
• Supporting the establishment and delivery of a community of practice for local businesses and other stakeholders in Mount Gambier and surrounds;
• Supporting recruitment for, and delivery of, a business mentoring program for local employers in Mount Gambier and surrounds;
• Leading the recruitment for, and delivery of, training and access checks for local employers;
• Contributing to the development of tools and resources that support inclusive practices by employers in Mount Gambier and surrounds; and
• Contributing to project monitoring and reporting.

Benefits and perks

This role is offered at 0.7 FTE fixed term for 2.5 years. Part-time hours, or job sharing, are possible.

The salary will align with Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award Level 3. Salary packaging options are available.

We are an inclusive workplace and we value diversity. Lived experience of disability – and an understanding of how disability affects people in regional areas – will be highly regarded.

We offer a flexible, supportive working environment and we provide reasonable adjustments for staff to support their access needs.

We do not have an office in Mount Gambier but would provide all the necessary equipment to work from home. You will work closely (often in-person) with the JFA Purple Orange Regional Lead, also based in Mount Gambier, and will connect online daily with colleagues in Adelaide.

If this job interests you, but you are not sure whether you are the right fit, please reach out to us for a chat (details below). We are a flexible employer and would be willing to tailor the role for the right person. Even if this position isn’t for you, we might be able to find other ways for you to connect with JFA Purple Orange.

Essential general criteria include:

• Deeply-felt value base in support of improving the life chances of people with disability and their families
• An inquisitive and analytical mindset, with the ability to self-start and achieve the work, deliverables, and benefits, at a level that is reasonable for the role
• Demonstrated capacity to prioritise and schedule a programme of work within the role, and to produce deliverables within specified budget and timelines
• Demonstrated capacity to build effective relationships with a wide range of people
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, at a level that is reasonable for the role
• Demonstrated capacity to contribute to the maintenance of a harmonious, safe and healthy workplace, free of harassment, and lawful discrimination and bullying, and where diversity is valued

Essential role specific criteria include:

• Lived experience of disability and a demonstrated understanding of how disability affects people in regional communities
• Experience working in a project-based environment; being able to set goals, organise work, take action, report on progress, and problem-solve
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and confidence, including to facilitate group meetings, deliver training and provide advice to employers through a business mentoring program
• Ability to work under limited supervision and meet deadlines
• Ability to work and report to a budget
• Experience with building and maintaining collaborative relationships with a range of individual and organisational stakeholders
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Digital literacy, with the ability to use or learn to use most tools adequately
• Administrative skills demonstrating a high degree of judgment, initiative, confidentiality and sensitivity
• NDIS worker screening check (or the ability to obtain one)
• Certificate level qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable criteria include:

• Well-developed or emerging networks in the disability community and sector within regional South Australia
• Experience in best practice co-design concepts and processes
• Experience facilitating co-design and peer network meetings/workshops
• Experience delivering training and undertaking other capacity-building work with a variety of stakeholders
• An understanding of the employment landscape for people with disability in Mount Gambier and surrounds
• Ability to research and source information to fill knowledge gaps
• Enthusiasm for working individually while contributing to a larger team
• Knowledge of current disability sector reforms and well-developed networks within the disability sector

If you have any questions or want to chat about whether you should apply, please contact Rebecca Dowd, Manager of Policy and Projects, ([email protected] or 8373 8388) or Tessa Deak, JFA Purple Orange Regional Lead ([email protected] or 8373 8388), using the subject line: Regional Project Officer - Mount Gambier enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.