Job Profile
Job TitleSenior Policy Advisor
Immediate ManagerChief Executive Officer

Job Purpose

To ensure that DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA strategic and operational policydevelopment goals are met by ensuring a consultative, research and advisory process is implemented. This includes updating and redeveloping policies to ensure that DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA servicesand products meet Member expectations. This role also contributes to increasing opportunities fortraining and development, while adhering to DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA’s mission, vision, values, organisational standards and relevant legislation.

Key Accountabilities

Technical

This includes direct technical output of tasks appropriate to role, the developing and enhancing of technical knowledge, establishing and monitoring technical systems, and managing relationships with external and internal stakeholders. The specific Technical accountabilities are:

  • Actively engaging and providing members and stakeholders with up to date information on government and industryinitiatives andDISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIApolicy development/updates by:

–Carrying out research,analysing/interpreting existing policies and developing new policiesto ensure membersretain detailed information about impacts and changes that are relevant to their business and their daily operations

–Conduct regular monitoring and analysis of the data related to the DES Performance Framework and prepare appropriate reports and presentations to inform members in relation to DSS reports, interpretations, trends, discrepancies and opportunities for improvement

–Initiating and leading projects associated with the review and development of policy including identifying emerging issues, risks and trends impacting on the successful achievement of DES objectives, policy initiatives and program imperatives

–Providing high quality expert strategic advice, recommendations and innovative policy/program solutions to the CEO, Government and key stakeholders on complex and sensitive policy issues and trends in other jurisdictions (successes and hurdles)

–Present detailed comprehensive reports, briefings, proposals, ad hoc correspondence/reports and submissions on operational programs and policies highlighting issues, trends, successes, options, solutions and recommendations

  • Identifying and developing innovative research and business development opportunities that will result in significant increase in member services and income stream including:

–Identify research and business development opportunities and partnerships. Write business case proposals for research topics or business opportunities for consideration, consultation and adoption

–Write and tender submissions for funding on pilot and long term projects

  • Developing and delivering training to member organisations on topics relevant to DES
  • Managing membership support including:

–Providing content for regular DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA membership bulletinrelated to policy, DES operational and DSS guideline interpretation as required

–Responding to and recording member phone and email enquiries related to policy issues/questions

  • Contributing to the planning of the annual conference and Leadership Forums with content relevant to current policy and practice issues and best practice initiatives

–Assessing abstract papers and contributing to the content as requested

–Identifying and recommending presenters and workshop activities

Representation

This includes representing DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIAto government, member and with other key stakeholders to ensure the success of DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA objectives and reputation. The specific representation accountabilities are:

  • Develop and maintain effective collaborative relationships across DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA including:

–Ensuring effective collaboration between self and other members of Disability Employment Australia team

  • Positively represent DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA on government and other working groups/bodies to ensure the development and maintenance of relevant networking relationships and the achievement of DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA objectives and goals including:

–Non Government Organisations

–Industry Associations

–Potential and existing corporate partners within small, medium, and large companies

  • Keep up-to-date with relevant developments including:

–Government, industry, and community initiatives and trends

–Relevant legislation

–DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA internal policies and procedures

  • Identify opportunities to promote DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA and the Sector through presentation at seminars, symposiums and conferences nationally and internationally and contributing to publications as appropriate.

People

This includes managing self, setting the environment for self and others to perform fully the work appropriate to their roles, and developing capabilities of team members and self. The specific People accountabilities are:

  • At all times assume good intent, adopt a positive ‘can do’ perspective in the workplace
  • At all times to abide by the terms and conditions contained in the policies and procedures of the employer
  • Align their work with the Vision, Mission, Values & Strategic Directions of the Organisation;
  • Contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of their team or work unit in order to meet organisational objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and professional workplace behaviours providing assistance to team members if required and undertaking other key responsibilities or activities as directed by one’s manager;
  • Participate in the Performance Development Review Process which includes a regular review of their performance against the responsibilities and performance objectives associated with the role and demonstration of appropriate behaviours which reflect a commitment to Disability Employment Australia’s Vision, Mission, Values and Strategic Directions.
  • Perform their responsibilities in a manner which reflects and responds to a focus on continuous improvement
  • All staff are required to assist in creating and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by working in a safe and healthy manner, adhering to instructions and using the equipment provided in accordance with safe operating procedures. Where appropriate, staff will initiate and participate in worksite inspections, accident reporting and investigations, develop safe work procedures and provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.

Scheduling

This includes preparing strategic and action plans and monitoring performance against plans, developing and managing the budget for the work portfolio, planning and allocating resource requirements, and scheduling work to achieve the required work output. The specific Scheduling accountabilities are:

  • Initiating, developing and monitoring the use of appropriate systems and processes that improve internal and member outcomes
  • Preparing and submitting income and expenditure budgets for research and business development projects where opportunities arise
  • Contributing to the development and implementation of the DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA business plan and monitoring progress against both plan and budget including:

–Ensuring the business plan complies with relevant legislation

–Strategies for expansion opportunities and best practice

Key Result Areas and Measurement Areas

Research and Policy Development
  • Manager reports that the Senior Policy Advisor has:

–Provided all members with accurate and up to date information on new gov’t policy

–Prepared and sent out information to members on such changes explaining how it would directly impacts their business

  • Submitted an accurate and fully costed agenda and annual calendar for any working groups required
  • Actively sought to assist members in building a positive community profile by providing reliable and accurate and up to date information
  • Provided comprehensive reports and briefings to CEO and the board on trends, policy issues and recommendations for current and future policy development
  • Issues presented to CEOcorrespond with logical solution options
  • Manager reports that the Senior Policy Advisor has:

–Submitted an accurate and fully costed proposal for research and business development projects.

–Achieved appropriate research and businessopportunities, in line with policy, evaluation and contemporary practice areas and income generating initiatives

–Submitted all tenders and submissions for funding on time and in full

Membership Services
  • The Manager reports that the Senior Policy Advisor has:

–Sent out the DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA membership bulletin on time as required

–Always responds to member enquiries in a timely and effectivemanner

–Takes an active role in improving member service including implementing feedback from member surveys

–There is at least a10% increase in membership per annum

  • Takes a leadership role by facilitating member working groups
  • Has actively sought out Conference and Leadership Forum themes in line with current sector issues and better practice initiatives
Corporate Development knowledge
  • Manager reports that the Senior Policy Advisor:

–Keeps up-to-date with relevant Government, Industry, and Community initiatives and trends

–Applies knowledge around Industry trends and adds value to organisational performance

Relationship effectiveness – external
  • Significant external bodies/individuals report that their relationship and interaction is satisfactory or better
  • Managerreports that the Senior Policy Advisor’s relationships with key external bodies/individuals is satisfactory or better
Relationship effectiveness – internal
  • Manager report that the Senior Policy Advisor:

–Actively participates in meetings

–Offers valuable contributions and support when needed

–Shares knowledge, ideas and learning

  • Other departments and divisions of DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA report that their relationship and interaction is satisfactory or better
Personal effectiveness
  • Managerreports:

–Self development(appraisal) action plans completed appropriately

–Behaviour is consistent with DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA values, policies, procedures and contractual requirements

–Uses time well and sets priorities to manage own workload and that of direct reports

–Professional development opportunities are sourced, those aligned with developmental plans and approved by the CEO are undertaken and translation into the workplace is maximised

Key Job Relationships

Internal
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Board Members
  • Other Staff atDISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA
External
  • Members – accessibility across all Australian states
  • Government and Departmental Representatives
  • Potential and existing corporate partners
  • Industry associations
  • Non-Government Disability and Community sector

Job Authorities

  • Financial authorities as outlined in the Table of Delegated Authority
  • Decide on expenditure within prescribed budget and financial limits

Direct Reports

  • Nil

Job Capability Requirements (include qualifications)

Job skills and Knowledge

  • Relevant professional qualifications
  • Skills and knowledge to develop practical and sustainable business plans
  • Proficiency in database management, computer applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and modern communication technologies (email, intranet, internet)
Selection Criteria
  • Direct experience with Disability Employment Services with exposure to operational and policy level management including performance framework data and analysis
  • Experienced professional with a very good knowledge of the corporate sector/ commercial acumen
  • Relevant professional qualifications
  • An understanding of the issues and a desire to be involved in Non-Government organisation, community and commercial relationships
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills and proven ability to develop effective relationships with people at all levels both internally and externally
  • Highly developed research, analytical, critical thinking and project management skills
  • Proven experience in writing targeted and persuasive proposals and in creating and analysing budgets
  • Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
  • Proven ability to develop and co-ordinate several projects simultaneously and achieve realistic timeframes
  • Ability to define goals, develop strategies and to plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate
  • Proven track record of achieving desired outcomes and a demonstrated ability to exceed targets

This job description serves to illustrate the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform other job related tasks requested by management and as necessitated by the development of this role and the development of the business.

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Disability Employment Australia Job Profile July 2016