• Level 5 or 6 SCHADS Modern Award - depending on experience
• Part time - 3 days a week (22.8 hours)
• Reports to Executive Officer

Side By Side Advocacy is a not for profit advocacy organisation in Parramatta. We recognise that people with intellectual disability experience particular barriers to having their voices heard and needs met and for that reason we specialise in advocacy for people with an intellectual disability.

‘Community for Everyone’ is a ground breaking 2 year pilot project designed to bridge the gap between profoundly isolated people with intellectual disability and their community. The project aims to increase the social inclusion and active participation of people with disability by connecting them with volunteer social connectors who share similar interests.

Key responsibilities of the Project Lead are:

• Develop targeted community engagement plan to mobilise community and bring about engagement encompassing:
  • people with intellectual disability
  • families, friends and allies of people with intellectual disability
  • advocacy and disability representative organisations in the area
  • people in decision making roles
  • community and mainstream organisations
  • local councils
  • disability services.
• Identify and meet with people with intellectual disability who want to be better connected to their community. This includes people living and working in disability specific settings.
• Support recruitment of Social Connectors by increasing the visibility and promotion of the Community for Everyone Project in the wider community including by:
  • identifying and developing community and interpersonal networks
  • informing community members about the Project both one to one and via group presentations
  • creating promotional materials to inform community members about the Project.
• Match Social Connectors with a person with intellectual disability to build relationships and connections.
• Co-design training resources with peer trainers for project participants.
• Deliver training for diverse audiences with peer trainers.
• Ongoing support of Social Connectors including assisting with building a relationship with the person with disability; mapping community relationships; identifying strengths, interests and communication needs of the person with disability; facilitating opportunities for others to be engaged.
• Build communities of practice using an action learning approach.
• Facilitate Project Advisory Group.
• Oversee peer led external evaluation process.
• Model inclusive practices – including providing strategies to include people who communicate in diverse ways.
• Share learnings with Project partner, Hunter Circles.
• Attend meetings, complete reports, maintain records and fulfil other tasks as required.

Essential criteria are:

• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to addressing the rights, needs and interests of people with disability. This includes an understanding of intersectional issues impacting on people with disability and of trauma informed practice
• Experience working with people with intellectual disability
• Excellent oral communication skills with public speaking experience speaking to diverse audiences – including workshop facilitation
• Excellent written communications skills with experience writing in plain English for diverse audiences – ranging from reports to promotional materials
• Track record of managing projects or programs with multiple stakeholders
• Experience coordinating staff
• Demonstrated networking skills including the ability to build and maintain external working partnerships and relationships
• Sophisticated problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Suitable tertiary qualifications such as community development, social sciences or social work
• Strong technology skills including experience using a data base, updating websites and social media as well as experience using Microsoft Office

Desirable Criteria

• Experience co-designing materials with people with intellectual disability
• Advocacy experience
• Community development experience
• Experience working with volunteers
• Understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

The successful candidate will have:

• A willingness to work flexible hours as required

• The right to work in Australia
• Willingness to complete and provide a satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check
• Willingness to acquire any vaccinations required by the role
• A driver licence and access to a car or access to private transport
• Willingness to travel to a range of locations in the Parramatta, Ryde, Gosford and Newcastle areas.

They will also be:

• Happy to have their photo taken for publicity material and reports
• Able to travel to our office in Parramatta.

This is a senior role.

People with disability are encouraged to apply for this role.

Side By Side Advocacy is based in Parramatta. The role will mostly be in the Ryde and Parramatta areas.

This is a 2 year project. The role ends 30 June 2026.

Not for profit salary packaging is available.

For more information about Side By Side Advocacy, check out our website at Side By Side Advocacy.

For more information about the role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Project Lead - Community for Everyone enquiry via EthicalJobs or phone Kim on 02 9808 5500.

A position description is attached.