About us
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) is an independent advocacy organisation whose mission 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 three advocacy practices, Human Rights, Mental Health and NDIS. 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.
QAI will shortly commence operating an inaugural Statewide disability advocacy network, which this role will fall under.
Role Description
The role of the Advocate is to deliver individual advocacy support to Queensland young people (birth to 18 years) with disability. The advocate will also support students with disability and their parent/carer who seek advocacy for resolution of complex and escalated complaints relating to the access, participation and/or achievement of students with disability in Queensland state schools.
Key Position Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Assisting and supporting young people with disability to:
- understand their rights;
- access appropriate supports and services and address gaps in support;
- address discrimination, conflict and unfair treatment;
- make informed decisions;
- build capacity to self-advocate;
- ensure their fundamental needs are being met;
- understand and navigate legal processes and systems.
- Comply with intake and record keeping practices consistent with obligations of a community legal service;
- Internal reporting and external reporting to the funding bodies as required;
- Participation in the network for Queensland disability advocates;
- Providing information and referring young people internally or to other agencies for support and assistance as required;
- Identify issues requiring systemic reform in relation to the rights of people with disability; and
- Preservation of the mission and intent of QAI: Promotion, protection and defence of people with disability through the Human Rights Advocacy Practice and provision of systemic information to the systems advocacy team, to contribute to law reform and systemic advocacy work.
Selection Criteria
Essential
- Strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity;
- Good knowledge of people with disability and understanding of what makes people vulnerable;
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, specifically the ability to converse with people at grass roots, as well as those in positions of authority to affect change in the lives of young people with disability;
- Well developed organisational and time management skills, including the ability to plan, implement and evaluate strategic pieces of work.
- Current Blue Card; and
- Current Queensland drivers’ licence and ability to travel.
Desirable
- Previous experience at a Community Legal Centre and/or with the Community Legal Assistance Services System (CLASS), would be advantageous;
- Legal/social work/allied health qualification or equivalent experience; and
- Individual advocacy experience (legal or non-legal).
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 Queensland Human Rights Act (2019). We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and people with disability to apply for any position we have available.
We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and supportive workplace culture as we take the well-being of our staff seriously. We often organise staff activities such as walks by the river or potluck lunches to create opportunities to connect with each other and take a break from our screens.
This position falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award) and will be paid at Level 5 with Pay Point commensurate with experience. We also offer salary sacrificing options, a flexible work environment and portable long service leave, which is now standard across the sector.
This position is a 6-month contract, starting on 5 January 2022. The position’s hours are negotiable and may be filled on either a full-time or part-time basis.
To Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the Essential Selection Criteria to qai@qai.org.au addressed to Megan Pearce, COO.
Please address any questions to Megan Pearce, COO on 07 3844 4200 or email qai@qai.org.au using the subject line: Human Rights Advocate enquiry.
Applications for this position close 5pm Tuesday 7 December 2021.