The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is a national Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) committed to promoting the rights, interests, and well-being of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people with disability in Australia. As a peak body, NEDA works to ensure that people with disability from CALD backgrounds have equitable access to services, support, and opportunities. Through collaborative initiatives, policy advocacy, and community engagement, NEDA strives to eliminate barriers, challenge discrimination, and safeguard the rights of people with disability from CALD backgrounds to fully participate in society. With a strong focus on inclusion, intersectionality and social justice, NEDA plays an important role in driving systemic change and fostering a greater understanding of diversity and inclusion within both the disability and multicultural sectors.
NEDA has a small secretariat and is governed by a council of state/ territory and community representatives; as a DPO, the majority of our Councillors are required to be people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
NEDA recognises the rich diversity of people across Australia and is committed to ensuring that its team is reflective of the diverse community it serves and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion, and diversity. People with disability and people from CALD backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this role is the public face of NEDA's policy and advocacy efforts with responsibility for leading a small team to develop policy positions, advocacy campaigns, submission responses and drive development of strategic sector partnerships. The Director, Policy and Advocacy is a high-profile role in the disability sector. The role works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts to research, develop, and lead the policy and advocacy efforts for NEDA, shaping legislation and initiatives that promote the rights of people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
Success measures for this role include :
Quality of analysis and reporting with the ability to communicate complex policy issues to a broad audience.
Development of strong stakeholder relationships and collaborations within the sector to advance the rights of people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
Enhancement of NEDA's reputation in the sector with prominent representation in high-profile forums ensuring NEDA's position is clearly communicated.
The ability to conduct in-depth policy analysis, reviews of legislation and the preparation of high-quality submissions, reports and proposals.
Effective leadership with the ability to motivate, mentor, develop and inspire staff to create a high-performing and inclusive Policy and Advocacy team.
The ability to adapt and respond to an evolving policy and advocacy environment exercising sound judgement, managing pressure and navigating complexity.
Key Relationships
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Director, Projects, Partnerships and Consultancies
Policy and Advocacy team members
Senior governmental and sector representatives (including ministerial advisers and sector CEOs)
NEDA team, Council, member organisations, community members and NEDA partners
Key Responsibilities & Activities
Policy and Advocacy strategy
Provide expert advice to NEDA CEO and Council in setting the strategic policy and advocacy agenda for the organisation and identifying evolving risks and opportunities.
Leverage relationships and engagements to ensure that NEDA policy and advocacy strategy is consistent with broader sector initiatives and policy direction and NEDA's strategic priorities.
Use extensive sector knowledge to inform government decisions and influence policy development at a national level.
Policy Analysis and Development
Undertake regular and comprehensive analyses of policy reviews and sector developments.
Manage the drafting of high-quality policy reviews, reports, submissions and proposals.
Develop and lead strategic advocacy campaigns and initiatives to drive positive policy changes.
Initiating and managing the development of policy ideas, proposals, fact sheets and resources etc. for the organisation in consultation with the CEO relevant stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
Represent NEDA in meetings and consultations with government agencies, peak bodies, and community organisations to promote the interests of people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advocate for systemic change and inclusive policies aligned with NEDA's strategic objectives.
Provide leadership and supervision to the Policy and Advocacy team, fostering staff development and creating a cohesive, inclusive and productive work environment.
Ensure team compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with CEO and the Director, Projects, Partnerships and Consultancies demonstrating flexibility and resilience to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
Undertake other duties as directed.
Selection Criteria
Demonstrated commitment to upholding the human rights of people with disability.
Proven record of working with Government and the disability sector on policy and advocacy nationally.
Ability to effectively represent NEDA on complex policy matters with the confidence to promote and advocate for critical issues impacting the lives of people with disability from CALD backgrounds.
Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g., social sciences, public policy, law).
Minimum five years' experience in a similar role.
Leadership skills with the ability to develop, motivate and inspire a qualified team of subject matter experts.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, communication (written and verbal) and negotiation skills.
High level research and analytical skills, policy development and problem solving skills.
Extensive experience in navigating government processes and operations.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise time and tasks.
Flexibility to work remotely and in small teams.
Ability to work in a remote work environment and maintain personal productivity.
Preferred
Experience working in a peak body or representative organisation.
Lived experience as a person with disability and/ or from a CALD background.
Understanding of disability issues and the disability sector.
Role Requirements
Satisfactory National Police Check.
Working with Vulnerable People's Check and/ or Child Related Employment Screening Check.
People with a disability, First Nations people and people from CALD backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Please advise in your application if you need adjustments to our recruitment process.
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