Darwin Community Legal Service Inc

AGED AND DISABILITY ADVOCATE

Job Description May 2016

Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Fixed term (to mid December 2016)

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Darwin Community Legal Service Inc is an independent community-based organisation which provides a range of legal and advocacy services including advice, community education, law reform and policy work, community development and liaison. DCLS is committed to social justice and the protection of human rights in the Northern Territory.

The Aged and Disability Rights Advocate is part of the Aged and Disability Advocacy Service (ADAS) at DCLS. The Advocate will provide advocacy support to people living in aged care homes, or who receive Commonwealth funded aged care community packages or Home and Community Care services, and to people with disabilities or their representatives.

This position is responsible to the DCLS Executive Director through the ADAS Senior Advocate/Team Leader.

DUTIES

Advocacy Support

  • Provide advocacy support to people living in or eligible to live in aged care homes, people who receive Commonwealth funded aged care community packages, and their representatives
  • Provide advocacy support to people who receive Home and Community Care services
  • Provide advocacy support to people with a disability and their representatives

Community Education and Policy

  • Identify community education and training needs for the client group and other stakeholders and in conjunction with the Senior Advocate deliver appropriate training
  • Identify systemic issues that adversely affect groups of consumers and in conjunction with the Senior Advocate/Team Leader where appropriate act on issues

Accountabilities

  • In conjunction with the Senior Advocate/Team Leader develop a work plan and report against

this at regular meetings with the Team Leader

  • Regularly engage in supervision with the Senior Advocate/Team Leader
  • Undergo an annual performance review
  • Collect data as required and input to the data system
  • Achieve outcomes consistent with the job description
  • Prepare and submit written reports quarterly to the Senior Advocate/Team Leader
  • Attend and participate in team, staff and other organisation meetings as required
  • Work as a member of the DCLS team and assist in tasks shared by all staff
  • Adhere to DCLS values, policies and procedures
  • Other duties as reasonably directed

From time to time, this position requires travel away from Darwin to other towns or remote communities for work purposes.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants must respond to the Selection Criteria in writing

Essential

  1. Understanding of and commitment to key principles and values of advocacy
  2. Demonstrated capacity to undertake advocacy and education
  3. Demonstrated commitment to social justice and human rights
  4. Demonstrated capacity to represent the values, needs and views of people from different cultural backgrounds
  5. Ability to work effectively within a team environment
  6. Very good verbal and written communication skills, as well as competent computer skills
  7. Capacity to travel within the Top End (including by light aircraft)
  8. Experience working with older people or those with disabilities or advocacy in another field
  9. Current NT Driver’s Licence

Criminal History Check

From 1 June 2007 any worker/volunteer who may have unsupervised access to recipients of aged care services are required to undergo a Criminal History Check. This is a Commonwealth Government requirement.

Salary

This position is classified as NT SCHADS@DCLS Award Grade 5. DCLS pays above award wages. The salary range for this position, depending on qualifications and experience is $62,612 - $65,493. Salary packaging is available.

Hours

The position is full time – 37.5 hours per week.

Other Benefits

Superannuation, 6 weeks annual leave (pro rata), conditions as per the DCLS EBA. DCLS is a smoke free work environment and an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants must address the selection criteria in their application.

Applications should be addressed to

The Executive Director

Darwin Community Legal Service

GPO Box 3180

Darwin NT 0801

Or by email to:

Applications are to be received by COB Monday 16 May 2016

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