Project officer: Education

About the organisation

JFA Purple Orange is an Adelaide-based social-profit organisation with a mission to create a more inclusive world where people with disability have access to the same opportunities as everyone else.

We host peer networks and manage other events for people with disability and their families to connect with information and each other. We conduct research, run consultations and contribute to policy development. We also deliver projects that influence practice. We work closely with people with disability, in line with the principles of co-design.

About the role

Do you want to make a real contribution to supporting lasting change to the independence, power, choice and control of people with disability?

Have you had success in facilitating workshops and/or working with parents and school children?

We are looking for someone with strong values alignment to work with our Project Leader across two projects:

• 'Together we Learn' which will promote positive, inclusive attitudes towards people with disability among primary school children, their teachers and the wider school community; and
• 'Road to Employment' which aims to increase employment expectations and create employment opportunities for people with disability by taking a 'lifetime' approach and working with schools, employers and other decision makers.

Some of the work this role will be responsible for includes:

• Contributing to each project team to facilitate positive outcomes for the projects.

• Supporting the co-design and creation of a disability inclusion unit of work and relevant resources for upper primary teachers.

• Supporting the team to convene Community of Practice working groups.

• Facilitating workshops for students, parents and teachers to increase their expectations of what children with disability can achieve during and post school with particular regards to employment pathways.

• Coordination of mentoring with students, parents, teachers or employers.

• Developing or supporting accessible workshops, and preparation of resources or promotional material.

• Contributing to reports on project deliverables.

How we work

This role is offered at 0.5 FTE fixed term for 12 months. The number of hours is negotiable, and the pattern of work is flexible.

There is a possibility that the work will extend beyond the initial 12 months.

The salary will align with Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award Level 3, but please note that we pay above award rates. Full salary packaging options are available.

Flexible working arrangements are negotiable, including working from home.

We are an inclusive workplace and value diversity. Lived experience of disability will be highly regarded.

Please contact us if you have any questions about whether this role would be suitable for you.

Our ideal candidate will have

• Deeply felt value base in support of improving the life chances for people with disability and their families

• An inquisitive and analytical mindset, with the ability to self-start and achieve the work, deliverables, and benefits, at a level that is reasonable for the role

• Demonstrated capacity to prioritise and schedule a program of work within the role, and to produce deliverables within specified budget and timelines

• Demonstrated capacity to build effective relationships with a wide range of people

• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively, at a level that is reasonable to accomplish the role

• Demonstrated capacity to contribute to the maintenance of a harmonious, safe and healthy workplace, free of harassment, and lawful discrimination and bullying, and where diversity is valued.

Specific criteria for this role

• Experience in project work, including facilitating meetings, writing communications or reports, and other relevant project administration tasks.

• A minimum of 1-2 years of project work experience is required for this role.

• Experience in, or the ability to quickly acquire, an understanding of workplace access and inclusion strategies and disability employment barriers.

• Ability and willingness to engage with students and parents to encourage broader understanding of disability, better inclusion practices and consideration of mainstream employment options.

• Demonstrated ability to educate and drive change in diverse settings (e.g. schools, workplaces, in small meetings and larger workshops).

• Workshop facilitation experience is required for educating and driving change in diverse settings.

• The ability to work as part of a team and under limited direction.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion practice in education settings and/ or the workplace.

• A valid Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Check, or ability to obtain one with support from the organisation.

• Candidates must either hold current Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Check or demonstrate the ability to obtain these certifications.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing social justice in a broad sense.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite including Teams.

The following will be highly regarded

• Lived experience of disability and / or proximity to disability (family member or similar) that supports a demonstratable understanding of the impacts of the experience of disability – with particular focus on employment.

• Experience in best practice co-design concepts and processes.

• An understanding of the education system in Australia, in particular from the perspective of upper primary school teachers.

• Experience or understanding of Communities of Practice.

• Experience or understanding of aged care, finance, local councils and the education sectors.

Accessibility

JFA Purple Orange values diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities, including people with disability and First Nations people.

We offer an inclusive culture and flexible work arrangements so that all staff feel safe, valued and supported to achieve their best. For example, we have flexible work hours, we allow staff to work partly from home, and we provide accessible office equipment. We encourage requests for reasonable adjustments.

We are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process for all. We invite any queries or requests to ensure the recruitment process is barrier-free.

Application process

You can apply via Seek. This job will also be advertised on Ethical Jobs in the coming week.

Applications close Monday 29 September at 9.00am.