Role Description
The Systems Advocate is responsible for advancing the systemic advocacy priorities of Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) and the Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN), under the direction of the Principal Advocate and Systems Coordinator.
The role works across a range of systems advocacy approaches to drive change, including policy and law reform, sector development, community engagement, research and evidence generation, and advocacy campaigns. It focuses on identifying systemic issues, analysing systems and structures, and contributing to coordinated strategies that influence policy, practice and decision-making.
Working collaboratively with QIDAN members, people with disability, QAI staff and key decision-makers, the Systems Advocate contributes to submissions, reports, advocacy initiatives and campaigns that promote fairness, equity and inclusion.
The role may also lead or support projects that strengthen the sustainability, capability and collective impact of the disability advocacy sector in Queensland.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Apply a range of systemic advocacy approaches to support QAI and QIDAN priorities, including policy and law reform, strategic communications, campaigns, sector engagement and evidence-based advocacy.
- Contribute to projects that support systemic change and sector sustainability, including stakeholder engagement, project activities and reporting.
- Assist with inclusive consultation and engagement processes with people with disability, QIDAN members and stakeholders to inform advocacy priorities and strengthen collective influence.
- Work with QIDAN members and QAI staff to identify, prioritise and progress systemic issues, supporting coordinated advocacy efforts that reflect agreed priorities.
- Undertake research, analysis and synthesis of policy, data and lived experience to identify systemic issues, inform advocacy strategies, and support evidence-based change.
- Prepare clear and accessible written and verbal materials for a range of audiences, including reports, discussion papers, surveys, guides, briefs and other advocacy resources for internal and external use.
- Support QIDAN engagement, including working groups, communities of practice, and other network-led initiatives that intersect with projects.
- Contribute to coordinated systems advocacy planning across QAI and QIDAN, including supporting alignment across projects, campaigns and policy work to maximise impact.
- Collect, analyse and present data provided through QIDAN and QAI.
- Work under the direction of the Systems Coordinator and Principal Advocate collaborating with QAI’s systems advocacy team, Communications team, Pathways Information and Referrals Services and QIDAN to ensure alignment and maximise the impact of project outputs.
- Monitor progress of systemic advocacy activities and projects, and provide timely updates and reporting to the Systems Coordinator, Principal Advocate, QAI Executive and funding bodies as required.
- Ensure that records are kept and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld), the National Association of Community Legal Centre’s Risk Management Guide and QAI’s policies and procedures, including appropriately utilising AIIM and Microsoft 365.
- Demonstrate commitment to QAI’s values, QIDAN’s priorities, and the principles of social advocacy and community-controlled decision-making.
- Contribute to organisational learning by documenting and sharing key lessons, innovations and outcomes from funded projects.
- Participate in planning, evaluation and team meetings, and carry out any other duties consistent with the role as directed by the Principal Advocate.
Selection Criteria
Values, skills, knowledge
- Strong commitment to human rights, social justice and the rights of people with disability, with an understanding of the role of independent advocacy in advancing structural change.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse systems, policies and legislation, and identify practical opportunities for reform and systemic change.
- Ability to apply a range of systemic advocacy approaches, including policy and law reform, research and evidence generation, sector engagement and strategic communications, with guidance as required.
- Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work constructively with people with disability, advocacy organisations, government stakeholders and sector partners.
- Ability to communicate complex issues in a clear, accessible and persuasive way to a range of audiences, including people with disability, community members, policymakers and sector stakeholders.
- Sound organisational and project management skills, including the ability to coordinate activities, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines with limited direction.
- Ability to exercise initiative and judgement, working both independently and collaboratively within a coordinated systems advocacy framework.
- Commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality and the values of QAI, including accountability to people with disability and community-controlled advocacy principles.
Essential
- Demonstrated experience in systemic advocacy, policy, law reform, research, or a closely related field, with the ability to undertake defined pieces of work with limited direction.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to interpret policy, legislation, data and lived experience to identify systemic issues and develop informed responses.
- Highly developed communication skills, including experience preparing submissions, reports, briefings or position papers that are clear, evidence-based and accessible.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects or defined streams of work, including planning, stakeholder engagement, implementation support and delivery of outcomes.
- Experience working collaboratively within partnerships, networks or cross-sector environments, including contributing to shared priorities or collective approaches.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within required timeframes with a degree of autonomy.
Desirable
- Lived experience of disability or strong connection to disability communities.
- Experience working in or alongside disability advocacy, social justice, community legal or human services organisations.
- Understanding of the policy and service landscape affecting people with disability in Queensland and/or nationally.
- Qualifications in law, social policy, social work, community development, or a related field, or equivalent professional or lived experience.
- Experience contributing to government consultation processes, inquiries or sector submissions.
About us
We are an independent organisation that advocates for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland.
We are a registered Charity and community legal centre that works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.
We provide advocacy to individuals through our three advocacy practices and this work informs our systemic advocacy that engages in campaigns and submissions directed at changing attitudes, law and policy.
Why work for QAI
We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within our workplace and were the first organisation to opt in to being bound by the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). We encourage First Nations people and people with disability to apply as the position would benefit from a person with lived experiences. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustments if required to assist the application and recruitment process.
We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and supportive workplace culture, as we take the well-being of our staff seriously. Our well-being program includes staff activities such as walks by the river, yoga or potluck lunches, creating opportunities to connect with each other and take a break from our screens.
We also offer salary sacrificing options, a flexible work environment, professional supervision, paid parental leave and portable long service leave, which is now standard across the sector.
QAI is willing to customise the role to facilitate candidates with disability.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to assist in the application process.
A position description is linked below.
Position description – Word (373 KB)
To apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the above Essential Selection Criteria to qai@qai.org.au.
Please address any questions to Megan, Chief Operating Officer, on 07 3844 4200 or qai@qai.org.au using the subject line: Systems Advocate role enquiry.
Applications for this position close 9am AEST on Monday, 17 August 2026.