Engagement Officer - Peer Support

Engagement Officer - Peer Support 

POSITION TITLE:   Engagement Officer – Peer Support

CLASSIFICATION:   Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 – Social and Community Services Employee, Level 5.1

HOURS:                   Permanent/Full-Time (38 hours per week)

TOTAL  REMUNERATION  RANGE:   $97,377.80 – per year (pro rata if applicable), plus 11.5% Superannuation, with available salary sacrifice option.

LOCATION:            Brisbane – travel may be required

EMAIL:     applications@qdn.org.au

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  5pm, Thursday 25 July 2024

 

About Queenslanders with Disability Network Ltd (QDN)

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is the peak organisation of, by and for people with disability and has over 2,000 members and supporters across the state. QDN engages people with disability to have a say around the important issues that impact on their lives. QDN works with people with disability as leaders of change in their own lives, in their communities, and at the system level. QDN operates 32 state-wide peer groups which connect and support people with disability coming together in their local community. The groups are convened by leaders with disability and provide connection, support and policy leadership in their communities across Queensland.

QDN operates a state-wide ‘knowledge network’ of people with disability with diverse life experiences, knowledge, skills and expertise across a range of disabilities, including key policy, business development and organisational areas.

 

QDN exists to:

  • promote and maintain active, vibrant networks that inform our work
  • let people know about the lives of people with disability and how to best talk with us
  • influence governments and others to bring about full and equal participation and citizenship, and
  • grow an independently sustainable, effective and accountable organisation that reflects our values, vision and mission.

 

BACKGROUND

The Engagement Officer – Peer Support is responsible for engaging with people with disability, community and key stakeholders to support the work and membership growth of local peer support groups across the state, to grow QDN’s state-wide member network, and undertake relevant engagement with members of the group and coaching and capacity building opportunities for leaders of the group and emerging leaders in peer support.

Responsibilities can include providing engagement with people with disability, community and mainstream services, government departments, and broader community, planning, coordination of engagement activities, contribution to development of capacity building of our Peer Support groups and their attendees.

 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS AND REPORTING STRUCTURES

The Engagement Officer reports directly to the Engagement Lead and has no line-management responsibilities.

The Engagement Officer works as part of a team where interdependencies and collaboration with colleagues, QDN members and internal and external stakeholders are critical to the successful delivery of projects, services and activities.

 

POSITION SCOPE

The appointee is accountable for the delivery of work assignments and projects, recognising when matters need to be referred to management for resolution.

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

As the Engagement Officer – Peer Support, you will play a crucial role in enhancing and expanding local peer support groups, facilitating the growth of QDN’s state-wide member network, and executing relevant projects. Your responsibilities will encompass engaging with people with disabilities, community stakeholders, and government departments, planning and coordinating activities, and contributing to the creation of written materials and resources. You will collaborate with a diverse range of QDN members, QDN Peer Leaders, and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of projects, services, and activities in alignment with QDN’s mission and strategic priorities. This position reports to the Engagement Lead and does not involve direct line management responsibilities. Occasional travel within Queensland is required.

Fulfill the accountabilities of this role in accordance with QDN’s ethics, principles, and values, including:

  1. Engagement, Mentoring and Capacity Building
  • Engage with people with disability across QDN’s networks, peer support groups, members, and leaders to support and build their capacity to lead and influence change to continue to build an inclusive community;
  • Engage with group convenors as leaders of the peer support groups to build their capacity as peer support group leaders;
  • Provide coordination and support to team of peer to peer mentors;
  • Facilitate opportunities for people with disabilities to lead, inform, connect and influence outcomes.

2. Development and Enrichment of Peer Support Groups

  • Promote and facilitate attendance for peer support groups.
  • Develop activities to grow and enrich peer support connection and leadership, ensuring alignment with project plans and outcomes and  monitoring outcomes of the groups against internal KPIs and funding goals.

3.  Membership Support

  • Support QDN and its membership of people with disability, ensuring their needs and perspectives are represented and addressed against KPIs.

4. Project Delivery

  • Support the delivery of QDN’s projects focused on inclusion and capacity building within the disability community and broader society.

5. Collaboration

  • Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including people with disability, families/carers, community organisations, and government entities, to achieve outcomes related to QDN’s peer groups and networks.

6. Work Plan Implementation

  • Assist in developing and implementing work plans associated with key QDN activities. Contribute to project plans under the guidance of your supervisor or colleagues.

7. Team and Organisational Alignment

  • Work cooperatively within the broader mission, strategic priorities, work plans, and activities of individual team members and QDN as a whole.

8. Other Duties

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Engagement Lead, General Manager or CEO.

 

Selection Criteria

The essential knowledge, skills, and attributes of the appointee include:

  1. Engagement Skills - demonstrated effective engagement skills across a broad range of consumer, community, and government stakeholders, with experience in the disability, health, or human services areas.
  2. Policy and Practice Knowledge - understanding of the policies, practices, and guidelines that inform contemporary disability practice at both state and national levels, with a focus on planning in the context of the All Abilities Queensland State Disability Plan and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
  3. Communication Skills - effective written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including colleagues, QDN members, and external stakeholders.
  4. Relationship Building - ability to build and maintain appropriate working relationships and networks with people with disabilities, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
  5. Complex Environment Management - ability to work effectively in complex environments.
  6. Technical Proficiency - proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet applications, and the ability to use enterprise systems and web-based applications.
  7. Time Management - ability to manage competing demands within limited timeframes.
  8. Adaptability - flexibility to perform other duties as required by the Engagement Lead, General Manager or CEO.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SALARY

Qualifications and/or relevant experience in the areas of disability, human services and/or social sciences is preferred.

QDN operates under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 and the position is paid as a Social and Community Services Employee, Level 5 for a 38 hour work week.

 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

The ability to gain a cleared National Police History Check and possess a current Queensland Driver’s Licence.

The appointee must ensure that they hold and keep current the required registration to perform in the role (e.g. yellow card, AHPRA, driver’s licence) and advise QDN of any change in circumstances that may impact on the continuation of registration or licence.

 

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL PROCESS

QDN has implemented a Performance Partnership which includes a standard probation period of six months during which your manager will have set for success conversations throughout the probation period providing feedback on performance.  Further information on QDN’s Performance Partnership will be supplied by your line manager.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your application with the following details to:

  • A letter of no more than 3 pages, that addresses your demonstrated suitability to the role by responding to key responsibilities and accountabilities.
  • Your current CV

EMAIL:     applications@qdn.org.au

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  5pm, Thursday 25 July 2024