Blind Citizens Australia

BLIND CITIZENS AUSTRALIA

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Advocacy and Policy Officer (28hrs/wk)

Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is the united voice of Australians who are blind or vision impaired. Our mission is to achieve equity and equality by our empowerment, by promoting positive community attitudes and by striving for high quality and accessible services which meet our needs.

The Advocacy and Policy Officer provides both individual and systemic advocacy support to people who are blind or vison impaired across Australia on issues relate directly to blindness. Our advocacy work takes into account BCA Policy and relevant State and Federal government legislation.

The Advocacy and Policy Officer will be a member of the small but dynamic BCA Advocacy and Policy team, and will report directly to the Executive Officer.

The BCA Advocacy and Policy team manage individual advocacy cases, provide information and self advocacy assistance, contribute to key elements of Government funded projects and develop policy which meets the expressed needs of our membership.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Advocacy:

·  Provide advocacy to members, their family, friends and other members of the public who contact the National Office for support, where the issues relate directly to blindness.

·  Ensure that all advice is in accord with BCA Policy and relevant government legislation.

·  Refer clients to other advocacy organisations where such referral is in the best interest of the client. In referring clients to other agencies: the following factors may be taken into account:

-  the nature of the client's problem and the advocacy skills and services required;

-  the geographical location of the client and the availability of suitable services more conveniently accessible to the client;

-  the current case load of BCA's advocacy services and priorities for BCA's advocacy services determined by the BCA Board.

Information:

·  Provide information to members, their family, friends and other members of the public about BCA, its services and other related blindness or vision impaired matters.

·  Promote BCA Policy

·  Attend events and disseminate information about BCA as required.

·  Manage, or assist with the management of, the BCA radio program, “New Horizons” which provides information about BCA and/or specific issues affecting people who are blind or vision impaired.

Policy:

·  As a member of the BCA Advocacy and Policy Team, develop relevant policy documents as directed.

·  Work closely with and assist the National Policy Officer on strategic issues, papers and consultancy as required.

Publications:

·  Contribute articles and content to BCA Publications, including audio programs and our various newsletters as directed.

·  Prepare content for internal and external publications, including the BCA website.

Community relations:

·  Organise and facilitate a forum, or workshop, for members where an issue of importance to the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired has been highlighted and it is deemed appropriate to gather more details through an open consultation process.

·  Attend Disability Network meetings as directed.

·  Liaise with the BCA Advocacy and Policy team members with regard to provision of individual advocacy for members.

·  Represent BCA on working groups or committees where the input from a blindness perspective influences the community and services available to people who are blind or vision impaired

Government funded projects:

Manage all key elements of Government Projects as directed, including administration, monitoring of budgets, submissions for funding and acquittals of funding contracts where required

BCA Conventions:

Assist in the organisation and running of State and National Conventions as required.

Ad hoc projects:

Undertake projects (including design, data collection, data analysis and final report writing) where the Executive Officer and the Board determine such a project is appropriate.

Reporting:

Report to the Executive Officer, Board, Government bodies and other parties as required.

Other:

·  Assist the National Office on an as needs basis.

·  Other general duties as required by the Executive Officer.

RELATIONSHIPS:

The Advocacy and Policy Officer reports directly to the Executive Officer and liaises with other parties as follows:

·  BCA administration staff (including obtaining limited support from the administration staff),

·  Other BCA staff,

·  BCA members and other individuals,

·  BCA directors through the Executive Officer,

·  BCA Volunteers,

·  Staff of the Department of Social Services,

·  Other external parties as required.

CONTRACT: This position will have an employment contract ending on 30 June 2015, with the option by both parties to extend.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

Required:

·  A formal qualification or extensive experience in advocacy, community development, health sciences, disability studies or policy development.

·  Demonstrated understanding of, the needs and aspirations of people who are blind or vision impaired.

·  A good knowledge of disability and disability services within Australia.

·  Proven ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, an ability to identify the issues, research the solutions and make sound judgements as to how a person may be supported.

·  An ability to represent BCA in public and professional settings, give presentations to a high standard and develop strategic networks in line with BCA’s strategic plan and policies.

·  An ability to work independently, remain task focused and to prioritise and manage a range of competing tasks.

·  An ability to prepare and write reportswithin agreed deadlines for a variety of target groups.

·  Demonstrated ability to work within a small team cohesively.

Desirable:

·  A sound knowledge of Windows based programs including Word, Excel and Outlook.

·  An ability to work to a budget.

·  Demonstrated experience in organising and facilitating workshops and forums.

·  A knowledge of equal opportunity and disability discrimination legislation .

·  An ability to work after hours and travel interstate when required.

BCA is an equal opportunity employer and people with a disability are encouraged to apply for this position.

APPLICATION:

Please forward a current Resume and a response to the Key Selection Criteria by 5:00pm Tuesday 9 September 2014 to:

Rosemary Boyd

Executive Officer

Blind Citizens Australia

Level 3 Ross House

247-251 Flinders Lane

Melbourne 3000

or by email to: