About us
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) is an independent, community-based systems and legal advocacy organisation for people with disability. QAI’s mission is to promote, protect and defend, through advocacy, the fundamental needs, rights and lives of the most vulnerable people with disability in Queensland.
The organisation does this by engaging in systemic advocacy through campaigns directed at attitudinal, law and policy change, and by supporting the development of a range of advocacy initiatives in this State, in addition to individual legal and non-legal advocacy, provided through three advocacy practices.
As QAI is a social advocacy organisation, it works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.
Role Description
The Indigenous Advocate will be an internal consultant to build cultural competency within QAI and to network to improve our relationships and partnerships in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Indigenous Advocate will provide an over-arching service to existing clients of QAI as part of the range of services provided by QAI. The Indigenous Advocate will assist other QAI staff to provide culturally appropriate services and resources to clients and carries a discrete case load of Indigenous clients as relevant to their experience and expertise.
The position connects with the external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with the aim of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement with QAI.
The position will take a lead role in implementing and improving the QAI Reconciliation Action Plan in conjunction with the CEO and the Management Committee.
Key Position Responsibilities and Accountabilities
The Indigenous Advocate will work with other QAI services, including the Human Rights Advocacy Practice, Mental Health Advocacy Practice and NDIS Advocacy Practice to:
- Connect with the external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to raise awareness of QAI services and increase accessibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients;
- Improve the overall cultural competence of QAI, its staff and management committee with the aim of improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients;
- Collaborate with QAI staff to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are appropriately included in advocacy for systemic change;
- Provide education and training to QAI staff and volunteers, service providers and members of the general public from time to time;
- Work collaboratively with solicitors and advocates who are providing discrete and ongoing supports to clients;
- Identify opportunities for organisational improvements at QAI to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement;
- Provide supports and ongoing services to clients based on their presenting needs.
Supports will vary depending on the expertise and experience of the Indigenous Advocate, but can include:
- Facilitated referrals and liaison to local community or specialised services regarding financial, housing, support, psychological and care needs;
- Provision of community information and resources;
- Support, advocacy and assistance for QAI clients including regarding the Disability Royal Commission and National Disability Insurance Scheme;
- Case management meetings with QAI solicitors and advocates;
- Outreach services.
Selection Criteria
Essential
- Commitment to social justice principles including the promotion and protection of the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, needs and relationships having worked in a similar capacity previously.
- Comprehensive understanding of the issues affecting people with disability in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate this internally to engage organisational stakeholders.
- Experience working with people with disability and/or mental health impairments.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and highly developed organisational skills to balance competing priorities while maintaining best-practice service delivery within a resource-poor community-based service.
- Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate sensitively and develop rapport with clients and other people from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
- Computer competency.
Desirable
- Individual advocacy experience (legal or non-legal), with demonstrated ability to reason and argue assertively on important issues on behalf of people with disability.
- Legal/social work/allied health training or qualifications.
- Experience at a community legal centre and/or with CLASS and/or DEX databases.
This is an identified Indigenous position under s104 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 2019 (Qld).
Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons will be considered suitable.
To apply
Please send your CV and a one page cover letter telling us what interests you about the role to qai@qai.org.au before 5pm on 15 July 2021.
Please direct any questions to 07 3844 4200 and/or email qai@qai.org.au using the subject line: Indigenous Advocate enquiry.