Executive Policy Officer

Australian Blindness forum Job Opportunity

Executive Policy Officer

•24 hours per week, 12 month contract
•Canberra Location
•Flexibility
The Australian Blindness Forum (ABF) is a not-for-profit organisation which operates as the peak body for the rehabilitation and advocacy sector, serving people who are blind or vision impaired. The ABF currently has a 12 month contract available for an Executive/Policy Officer to advance the purpose of ABF by providing policy analysis and advice, facilitated debate amongst blindness agencies and, focus on strengthening relationships throughout the blindness community and relevant Commonwealth, State/Territory departments.

The position will be located in Canberra and reports to the Board of the ABF through the Chair of the ABF.

Day to day, this role will be responsible for:

•Encourage exchange of information between members and associates and key stakeholders;
•Participate in government policy development and law reform and advocate for people who are blind or vision impaired;
•Enable blindness sector representation, both nationally and internationally;
•Encourage and promote the development and equity of the level of services throughout Australasia;
•Enable Australia to facilitate its membership of the World Blind Union; and
•Increase membership of ABF and encourage full membership.
Ideally to be successful for this opportunity, you will have:

•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal), including the ability to effectively speak publically on behalf of ABF;
•Demonstrated experience and skills in policy analysis and development;
•Self-discipline to work independently;
•Empathy with vision impaired people;
•Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to plan and prioritise work and meet deadlines;
•Sound knowledge of government legislation, disability, and aged care policies;
•Good problem solving and research skills; and be
•Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel spread sheets and multimedia.
If you are self-motivated and enjoy developing policy, researching and preparing submissions then we would love to hear from you.

Please forward your resume with a cover letter addressing the position description in word format to melissa.stewart@visionaustralia.org