Role Description
The Systems Advocate is responsible for advocating and implementing campaigns for systemic changes that promote fairness, equity, and inclusivity. The work will involve researching, analysing, and evaluating existing systems to identify areas of improvement, and proposing practical solutions that will lead to systemic reform for people with disability. You will also collaborate with stakeholders in the Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN) and decision-makers to influence policy development and implementation, in line with QIDAN’s values, goals and priorities.
Full time/Part time: Part time, 5 days per fortnight
Remuneration: $45 – $50 per hour
Key Responsibilities
The key duties include, but are not limited to:
- Keep informed of current government and community attitudes and policies and their effects on the lives of people with disability.
- Research and analyse systemic opportunities and threats, identifying areas of inequity and injustice.
- Collect, analyse and present data provided through QIDAN.
- Liaise with members of the QIDAN to collate and progress systemic issues identified and influence policy development and implementation.
- Develop policies and lobby for social, cultural, attitudinal, environmental, political and legal change that advocates for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability, in consultation with QIDAN.
- Write position papers, submissions, material and campaigns in relation to identified priority issues.
- Undertake responsibility for planning, co-ordination, implementation and administration of campaign work in line with QAI’s priorities, budget and capacity to do the work.
- Identify and liaise with key players including: the Office of the Public Advocate, Office of the Public Guardian, the NDIA, Queensland Human Rights Commission, Queensland and Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Disability Royal Commission and other entities.
- Bring together or join with like-minded others, including members of QIDAN, to take further action on these issues on behalf of people with disability.
- Lobby government and community to bring about positive, sustainable change to the lives of people with disability.
- Communicate complex issues and solutions to various audiences, including policymakers, media, and the public.
- Monitor achievements and report in line with QAI’s policy.
- 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 CLASS and Microsoft 365.
- Internal reporting and external reporting to the funding bodies as required.
- Participation in the network for QIDAN and assist with the facilitation of the QIDAN Community of practice.
- Work under the general supervision of the Principal Advocate and to collaborate with other individual advocate staff members of QAI.
- Comply with the code of conduct and ethics and confidentiality requirements of QAI and with the National Disability Service Standards.
- Demonstrate commitment to QAI’s values and beliefs and the principles and elements of social advocacy.
- Participate in staff meetings, planning workshops and other meetings in connection with the operation of client services and QAI.
- General office teamwork and assistance.
- Undertake own word processing and administrative tasks.
- Carry out any additional duties within the scope of the position as directed by the Principal Solicitors.
Selection Criteria
Essential
- Strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity.
- Deep understanding of systems thinking and systems approaches having a thorough understanding of the barriers and disadvantages faced by people with disability, as well as the tools and techniques used to apply systems approaches to complex problems.
- Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking with the ability to analyse complex situations and identify patterns and relationships among different variables, and use this information to develop effective strategies for addressing systemic issues.
- Excellent communication skills being able to explain complex systems concepts and ideas in a clear and concise manner to a wide range of stakeholders, including decision-makers, experts, and the general public with varying levels of communication requirements.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills while navigating complex stakeholder relationships and negotiate effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organisations. This includes the ability to build trust, establish credibility, and communicate effectively with stakeholders with different levels of expertise, backgrounds, and interests. Additionally, a systems advocate should be able to manage conflicts and resolve disagreements among stakeholders in a constructive and collaborative manner.
- Criminal history screening clearance.
Desirable
- Lived experience of disability.
- Previous experience at a Community Legal Centre, social justice organisation and/or disability advocacy organisation, would be advantageous.
- Legal/social work/allied health qualification or equivalent experience.
- Advocacy experience (legal or non-legal).
About us
Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) is an independent advocacy organisation whose purpose is to advocate for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland. We do this by engaging in systemic advocacy through campaigns and submissions directed at attitudinal, law and policy change, and by supporting the development of a range of advocacy initiatives throughout our state. We also provide advocacy to individuals with disability through our four advocacy practices: Human Rights Advocacy Practice, Mental Health Advocacy Practice, NDIS Appeals and Disability Advocacy Practice. We are a registered charity and community legal service that works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.
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.
A position description is linked below. QAI is willing to customise the role to facilitate candidates with disability.
Position description – Word (149 KB)
To apply
To be considered for this role, please submit the documents listed below to qai@qai.org.au:
1. Your resume
2. A cover letter addressing the Essential Selection Criteria
3. An example of your previous systems advocacy work
Please address any questions to 07 3844 4200 or qai@qai.org.au using the subject line: Systems Advocate Enquiry.
Applications for this position close, 5pm, Wednesday 26 April 2023.