Position Overview:

We are seeking a passionate and motivated Community Engagement Officer to lead our existing initiatives by developing tangible solutions to the issues identified in our general advocacy activities.

The Community Engagement Officer will take a multifaceted approach to address these challenges, focusing on developing self-advocacy toolkits, face-to-face community workshops, and digital webinars. This approach will empower people with disabilities (PWD) and their families, enabling them to tackle issues beyond the scope of general advocacy and fostering resilience to navigate complex systems. Overall, this role will promote and protect human rights and social justice of PWD and build capacity in local North QLD regional advocacy champions.

The Community Engagement Officer will manage the logistical planning, implementation and facilitation of the North QLD Community Skill Building Program (NQCSBP), in line with RIA’s strategic direction and vision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research, toolkit development, resource management, workshop scheduling, and digital resource release.
• Implement Face-to-face workshops and webinars.
• Feedback distribution, collection and collation of the workshops and webinars for program continuous improvement.
• These workshops will cover the following self-advocacy topics for discussion and resolution.
  • • • Disability Support Pension Applications and Appeals
      • NDIS Access
      • NDIS External Appeals AAT
      • QCAT Guardianship
      • Human Rights complaints
      • Navigating Provider Disputes
      • Inclusive Education
      • MH Treatment authorities
      • Child Protection
      • Carers Support and Resources, and

Other PWD topics (i.e. housing) attached to specialist advocacy organisations.

• Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPI), financial expenses, and organisational outcomes to senior management.
• Plan and conduct co-design sessions; develop self-advocacy toolkits and organize community capacity-building workshops and digital webinars.
• Oversee logistics, administration, and Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) aspects of the NQCSBP.
• Confirm the implementation of necessary infrastructure and resources for program support.
• Develop, plan, and execute NQCSBP campaigns and communications for media releases.

Community Impact and Sustainability:

• Address skills and knowledge gaps among PWD and their families.
• Create lasting, accessible resources, including digital materials and recorded sessions.
• Empower clients to navigate complex systems for fuller community inclusion.

Client Involvement and Outcomes:

• Enhance community understanding of key education areas.
• Develop measurement tools to assess client participation and resource access.
• Ensure program offerings reflect the unique needs of PWD in North Queensland, including customized digital resources for rural and remote areas.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Manage program independence while ensuring alignment with organizational policies.
• Regularly review operational risks and implement necessary updates.
• Collaborate with the senior management team to develop and monitor the WHS risk plan.

Technical Skills:

• Experience in digital product design and adult education.
• Ability to engage with diverse and marginalised community groups.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify barriers faced by PWD.

Human Resource Responsibilities:

• Plan and oversee RIA staff assigned to the program.
• Ensure safe travel and operational plans for staff and clients.

Communication and Public Relations:

• Develop and distribute promotional materials, newsletters, and social media content to raise awareness about Rights in Action’s activities and initiatives.
• Manage the organisation’s social media platforms and website content related to community engagement.
• Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Volunteer Coordination:

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to support community events and programs.
• Ensure volunteers are effectively integrated into the organisation’s activities and understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Provide ongoing support and recognition for volunteers.

Data Collection and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of community engagement activities, event participation, and program outcomes as set on AWP.
• Prepare regular reports for the Supervisor and other stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of community initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures in all community engagement activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Community Development, Human Services, or related field (required).
• Relevant certifications or additional training in community engagement or advocacy (preferred).

Experience:

• Proven experience in community coordination, outreach, or a related role.
• Experience working with disabled and mentally ill individuals is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of advocacy principles and community development practices.
• Development, research project and delivery group session and course

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• High level of empathy and commitment to the mission of Rights in Action.
• Proficiency in social media management and basic graphic design is a plus.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• A demonstrated understanding of the practice of individual advocacy and its relationship to the lives of people with disabilities.
• A recognized Quality Control and Assurance qualification and/ or skill set.
• A recognized Human Resource qualification and/ or skill set.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of human rights and social justice.
• Knowledge of social (systemic) advocacy in the current political and social environments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse, plan and implement advocacy strategies with or on behalf of people with disability.
• Proven high-level communication (verbal & written) and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated competency in the use of computer technology, in time management, file management, and in the maintenance of records for statistical and data purposes.
• A working knowledge of the relevant Acts and Legislation not limited to the Disability Services Act(s), the Disability Discrimination Act, Guardianship and Administration Act, Right to Information, Privacy Legislation, Mental Health Act and National Disability Insurance Scheme Act.
• A current QLD driver’s license.
• A current Working with Children (Blue Card) or capacity to obtain a Working with Children (Blue Card) and a Yellow Card Exemption notice.

Work Environment:

• The role is typically office-based but will require frequent travel to various community locations for meetings, events, and outreach activities.
• The Community Officer Lead must be available to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate community events and activities.
• This is a flexible role almost full time hours if candidate found suitable and interested in other available programs that RIA runs

Next steps

Apply simply click "Apply Now".

If you have any questions about this position, please contact us. Our contact details can be found on our website www.rightsinaction.org.au

Rights in Action is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.