Role Description
The role of the Advocate is to deliver individual advocacy support to Queenslanders with impaired capacity involved in the criminal justice system. Under the supervision and direction of the Principal Solicitor and other Senior QAI staff as required, the Advocate’s role will include providing non-legal advocacy, advice, information and referrals for clients of QAI and contributing to the systemic advocacy work and community education of QAI within the Human Rights Advocacy Practice.
The positions can be filled on a full-time or part-time basis, commencing as soon as possible. The role falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award). The level and pay point will be commensurate with experience, with a minimum of Level 4.
Key responsibilities
- Assisting and supporting people with disability who are involved in the criminal justice system 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 processes and systems
- Comply with intake and record keeping practices consistent with obligations of a community legal service.
- Providing information and referring clients internally or to other agencies for support, advice, representation and/or assistance as required.
- Internal reporting and external reporting to the funding bodies as required.
- Identify issues requiring systemic reform in relation to the rights of people with disability.
- Preservation of the purpose and intent of QAI: Promotion, protection and defence of people with disability 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;
- Experience in providing quality individual and systemic advocacy to persons with disability with significant experience in the field of disability, human rights, or social justice sectors;
- 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 people with disability;
- Well-developed organisational and time management skills, including the ability to plan, implement and evaluate strategic pieces of work; and
- Criminal history screening and corresponding certificate.
Desirable
- Lived experience of disability;
- Tertiary qualifications in disability or health related studies, social work or legal;
- Experience within, and/or a working understanding of, the Queensland criminal justice system, National Disability Insurance Scheme, and/or Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld); and
- Previous experience at a Community Legal Centre and/or with the Community Legal Assistance Services System (CLASS), would be advantageous.
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.
To apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the Essential Selection Criteria to qai@qai.org.au. Please address any questions to Megan, Chief Operating Officer on 07 3844 4200 or email qai@qai.org.au using the subject line: Justice Support Advocate.
Applications for this position close 9am Monday, 12 December 2022.