Senior Policy Officer – Disability

BENEFITS

• Improve your take-home pay by using salary packaging options – up to $18,500 can be packaged every year (details via AccessPay)!
• Career development opportunities
• Leave loading of 17.5%
• Flexible working arrangements including a hybrid work arrangement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted health insurance and free flu shots each year

We’re looking for a professional Senior Policy Officer– Disability with relevant experience who wants to join our team on a full-time maximum term contract until 30 March 2025, working 38 hours per week based in Fitzroy.

ABOUT THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST LAURENCE

We are passionate about the work we do. We strive to create change that lasts for a more compassionate and just society – a society in which we can all fully participate in social, civic and economic life with the dignity and respect we all deserve.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) has a clear vision – an Australia free of poverty. For over 90 years, we have worked with policy makers and the community for systemic change that will prevent and alleviate poverty in Australia. We are made up of 1500+ employees and 1000+ volunteers to make a difference in our communities.

THE ROLE

The Senior Policy Officer – Disability will support the development, and implementation of disability policy, especially in relation to the policy advise for our Disability Services focusing on early years, employment, and NDIS reform. Within the BSL, the position will report to the Director SPARC with a dotted line to the Head of Disability Programs and Innovation, in Disability Services thereby ensuring that disability policy is aligned across the BSL. The position will also work closely on a day-to-day basis with BSL Disability Services teams, providing project management and implementation support for the policy development and advice. Working in a highly collaborative organisational model where working interdependently is an essential requirement to be successful. This role will also engage closely the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team in SPARC.

• Contribute to the identification of social policy ideas and the policy agenda for BSL and Disability Services including in the areas of disability early years, employment, and sector reform.
• Contribute to BSL policy development, influencing or advocacy activities, particularly as they relate to disability.
• Project management and implementation of the disability policy agenda for BSL.
• Support the overall SPARC strategic leadership and management.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Passion for supporting the mission of BSL, and delivering excellence in your role, are just the start.

To be considered for the role and be successful in it, we’re looking for someone who has the following key skills and experiences:

• A social science or policy degree with extensive relevant policy experience or an equivalent combination of relevant tertiary education and policy experience.
• Developed knowledge of the field of disability services, and preferably disability employment or early years, including current issues and debates in research and policy.
• Developed understanding of the policy environment, including contemporary issues.
• Developed policy analysis and implementation skills.
• Demonstrated project management and organisational skills, including the ability to plan workload, prioritise and meet deadline.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships, advise and liaise with a broad range of people across all levels, both internally and externally including people of all ages and from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated proficiency with bibliographic software such as Endnote and Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Access etc).

CULTURE

BSL employees enjoy a range of flexible work options and other attractive benefits. Recognising that there is no ‘one size fits all’ pattern of work–life balance, the organisation endeavours to provide options to suit the needs of all staff.

APPLY NOW

If you have any questions about the role or want more clarification, please contact Damian Sullivan on 0405 141 735 for a confidential discussion.

To view the Position Description to address the Key Selection Criteria, please click here.

Applications close: Sunday, 17 September 2023 at 11.55 pm

The Brotherhood of St Laurence adheres to Government vaccination mandates.

We are an EEO and understand the importance of diversity and inclusion. We recognise that everyone has the right to an equitable, safe and productive environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.  We welcome applications from all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, disability or sexual orientation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks including criminal history and working with children. Recruitment decisions are based on the key inherent needs and requirements of each role, and candidates are selected based on their unique strengths and characteristics.  Applicants must have proof of working rights in Australia.