• Hours: Part–time, 22.5 hours per week, 3 days per week
• Status : Fixed-term contract until 28 Feb 2025    

National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's peak body for non-government disability service organisations, representing over 1000 service providers and their workforce of over 150 thousand people who collectively provide support services for nearly 2 million people with disability.

NDS has a strong and influential presence in every state and territory across Australia. Our core functions are to advocate to government for sector-wide changes and improvements, to inform our members about issues that impact them, and to provide resources and services that assist them to deliver sustainable high quality support services for people with disability.

NDS employees have the passion to make a difference, are driven to deliver the highest quality support and services to our members, and thrive in an environment of positive change and continuous improvement.  If this sounds like you, check out this opportunity below!  Or, to find out more about NDS, please visit our website.

Position Purpose

The Senior Policy and Projects Officer will focus on delivering disability employment projects along with other disability employment and workforce policy, engagement, and communication activities.  

The position will primarily be involved in delivery of the Youth Pathways project.

Commencing in June 2023, the purpose of the Youth Pathways Project is to codesign and then deliver a Pathway from school to work, to support people with a disability, to navigate from study to employment.

Employment gives a person the ability to generate their own income, develop economic security and positively impact their wellbeing. People with disability are significantly underrepresented in the workforce. The Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHWA) reports that people aged 15-64 with disability are twice as likely to be unemployed as those without disability and that 93% of unemployed people aged 15-64 with disability experience difficulties finding employment. 

The Senior Policy & Project Officer will lead the Youth Pathways Project and will work with key stakeholders to ensure all  deliverables are met in allocated timeframes and budget allocations. The pathway has now been codesigned and is ready to be trailed. The pathway consists of both a mentor program and the developing of resources for students with disability and employers. Mentors are currently being recruited.

Key duties for this role will include overseeing the mentors, developing resources, working with stakeholders,  monitoring for  gaps  in the pathway from a systems perspective, collaboratively identifying solutions and linking the pathway to relevant policy. In addition, the Senior Policy & Project Officer may be required to attend relevant communities of practice, webinars and contribute to the development and promotion of key resources.    

The Senior Policy and Projects Officer may also contribute to a range of activities to support general NDS services.   

The work may also include contributing to other projects, writing News Updates on disability employment related topics, preparing policy papers, engaging with providers to directly gather information, and to provide support.    

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Policy and Projects Officer will contribute to Tasmanian sector development activities and contribute to achievement of the Youth Pathways project outcome, working to the Tasmanian State Manager, and in close liaison with NDS Employment staff.

• Actively contribute to project teams to ensure planning and delivery against objectives  
• Provide high level support to people with disability attempting to gain employment through advice, forums, meetings, presentations, articles, news updates and individual consultation  
• Develop and maintain effective knowledge of developments in disability employment policy and practice, including Tasmanian and NDIS regulatory requirements.  
• Represent NDS, and effectively distil and present information on complex issues  
• Complete array of project management activities aligned to NDS deliverables  
• Contribute, where appropriate, to broader NDS policy work.  

Other Responsibilities (applicable for all NDS employees):

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required by manager/supervisor from time to time
• Comply with NDS’s policies and procedures at all times, including (but not limited to) HR, Quality, Work Health & Safety (WHS), IT, Security, and Data Privacy
• Demonstrate the NDS values of Build respectful relationships, Lead change, Deliver clarity & impact, Support and develop others, Embrace diversity.

 Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated analytical, strategic thinking, conceptual and problem-solving skills  
• Demonstrated ability in undertaking analysis in a complex environment, including desktop reviews   
• An understanding of issues faced by people with disability seeking employment  
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication and influencing skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders  
• Demonstrated project implementation and management skills  
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, accurate and compelling reports, and present on complex matters in a manner appropriate to a range of stakeholders  
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex and detailed information and materials into clear communications.  
• Ability to travel to regional and remote areas throughout Tasmania.
• Desirable: Knowledge of Tasmanian Education System  
• Desirable Qualifications: Tertiary degree, preferably in a related field.  

What we Offer: 

• Flexible working opportunities
• Salary packaging benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff Rewards & Discounts program
• Learning and development opportunities

To Apply:

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse communities to join NDS.  

NDS is committed to supporting equal employment opportunities for individuals with disability and will provide reasonable workplace adjustments.  We encourage potential applicants with lived experience to contact NDS to discuss any questions regarding individual workplace adjustments.  NDS also provides adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via [email protected] or 02 9256 3141 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone).

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the Apply Now button. 

For further information please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy and Projects Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.  Please do not send your application to this email address, as it's for enquiries only. 

The successful applicant must be prepared to undertake a pre-employment police check. In addition, due to the inherent work, health and safety considerations and legislative requirements of this role, they must also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e. double dosed plus recommended booster doses) prior to commencing any work, unless medically exempt. 

No agencies please.