ABOUT PWDA

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is a national disability rights organisation. Its membership is made up of people with disability and organisations primarily constituted by people with disability. PWDA was founded in 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons, to provide people with disability with a voice of our own. PWDA has a cross disability focus – we represent the interests of people with all kinds of disability. PWDA is a non-profit, non-government organisation. We employ over 50 staff with 25% working in regional areas.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The National Redress Scheme was launched by the Federal Government in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) provide confidential and free support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse with disability who are considering applying for Redress across Australia.

The Project Officer/Advocate will, in collaboration with the Manager & Specialist Advocate, conduct research, stakeholder and community engagement to support people with disability who face barriers to access the scheme. This role will be focused on community engagement within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Project Officer/Advocate, Redress will also provide as required: information, support, assisted referrals, and individual advocacy to people with disability nationally, who are survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and who are seeking redress through the National Redress Scheme, or alternative avenues.

Please note: This role will involve exposure to information about child sexual assault and other forms of violence, and will involve working, at times, with clients with a heightened level of distress. It is known that exposure to high levels of distress increases the risk for development of vicarious trauma, therefore this role includes access to monthly, external supervision and generous EAP.

PROJECT DUTIES

Conduct research, identify and collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and community members. Develop an accessible, trauma-informed community engagement strategy to promote PWDA’s Redress support services:

• Collaborating with the Manager & Specialist Advocate and others to identify and engage with people with disability facing additional barriers to Redress.
• Identifying, developing and maintaining stakeholder and community networks, partnerships, referral pathways, promoting PWDA’s Redress support services and Individual Advocacy.
• Developing and maintaining networks and referral pathways with accessible and inclusive trauma-informed counsellors, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Assisting the Manager & Specialist Advocate to plan, develop and facilitate a community of practice, using a social model of disability to share and develop practice responses to people with disability that are impacted by violence.
• Contribute to cross-sectoral capacity building in developing useful responses to people with disability impacted by violence, specifically child sexual abuse.
• Liaising with other PWDA projects and teams e.g. Disability Housing Advocacy, Training.
• Liaising with Communications staff to develop all internal and external content e.g. newsletters, reports, websites and promotional materials.

ADVOCACY

Provide advocacy support as required (issue-based, assisted referrals) to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, including:

• Conducting face-to-face (pursuant to current health guidelines) and/or telephone/online meetings with survivors to determine facts, understand desired outcomes and assess for any current or prospective support needs, including therapeutic support.
• Representing survivor will and preference in courts, tribunals and other forums.
• Work with survivors to further their self-agency/advocacy expertise.
• Advising survivors on available courses of action according to their will and preference and human rights principles enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and elsewhere. Referral to legal advice as required.
• Utilising a supported decision-making framework, developing action plans with and as directed by survivors, to work toward achieving their desired outcomes.
• Liaising with and mediating between relevant parties, as required, to achieve those desired outcomes and to foster positive collaborative working relationships with a range of health, community and legal services.
• Keeping records of matters in accordance with PWDA and external procedures, protocols.

SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY

• Contribute to systemic advocacy initiatives by participating in specific projects as required and proactively identifying emerging systemic issues in the course of providing information, advice and referrals.

ORGANISATIONAL PARTICIPATION

• Participate in organisational activities such as staff meetings, planning meetings and team development initiatives.
• Participate in relevant professional development and review activities, including training
• Carry out administrative tasks, enter accurate case notes in a timely manner and maintain files and statistics as directed.
• Identify and recommend changes to program procedures, where appropriate.
• Undertake other duties as directed within the scope of this role.

SELECTION CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL

• Understanding of the social model of disability and practical commitment to the human rights of people with disability.
• Demonstrated experience working with people with disability, including those who have been subject to violence, and understanding of the range of possible impacts violence can have on people with disability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to liaise with a wide range of people such as survivors, their families, friends, service providers and government departments.
• Ability to work effectively with people in stress or crisis.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, which includes respect for culture, Aboriginality, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, age and disability.
• Ability to undertake outreach and travel throughout NSW.

DESIRABLE

• Experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Experience in building community networks
• Personal or family experience of disability
• Previous experience in the advocacy, health, community or legal services sector.
• Degree in social sciences or related discipline and membership of or eligibility to join your professional association.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Working with Children Check

PWDA is a registered employer under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act, 2012. The successful applicant must be approved under the Working with Children Check prior to taking up appointment.

• Police Check

PWDA receives funding from Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), NSW Department of Families and Community Services (FACS) under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014. The successful applicant must satisfy the Police Check requirements prior to taking up appointment.

• Australian Government Covid 19 Vaccination Certificate and adherence to the PWDA Covid Vaccination Policy
• Six-month probationary period.

RENUMERATION

This is a full-time role of 35 hours per week. It will be a maximum term contract role until 30 June 2023, with a possibility of extension, dependent on funding. Award Classification is Level 5 under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Award 2010. PWDA pays above Award, and the salary on offer is $89,092 per annum plus salary packaging and superannuation.

PWDA is a proud employer of people with disability, and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. We are an EEO employer and we embrace the diversity of our people, such as diversity in disability, race, cultural background, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation or intersex status.

For more information about this role, please contact Karen Kobier, Manager & Specialist Advocate, Redress Project, at [email protected], using the subject line: Project Officer/Advocate, Redress Project on 02 9370 3100 or 0434 692 845. Note interviews will be conducting when suitable applicants apply.