Project Lead – Industry Development – Disability Sector

About the Role:

• Sydney or other locations in NSW considered
• Full-time, 38 hours, 5 days per week  
• 2 year Fixed-Term contract 

The position will primarily be involved in delivery of the Industry Development project. This project has two streams of work to strengthen workforce (attraction and retention) including opportunities for people with disability, and to develop and strengthen the BuyAbility website. The project targets specific metropolitan and regional settings in NSW and will require travel to these locations. The project lead will work with local disability service providers and develop strategies to increase workforce attraction and retention to the disability workforce.

The work will include a focus on specific groups including First nations people, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups (dependent on need in each region). Supported and open employment opportunities will be included. The project will include cross-sector engagement e.g. health, aged care, and Local Councils. Additionally, the project will encompass strategies to strengthen inclusion of people with disability in service provider governance.

The second stream of work relates to the BuyAbility website, which is a website that provides government and private individuals or organisations with information to identify and source Social Enterprises. The work will identify and implement opportunities to strengthen the website and will occur in concert with national work occurring.

Additionally, the project will identify opportunities to promote the website services to customers across NSW, including Local and state government social procurement. The project will leverage other NDS work in Australia. It will have a focus on outcomes for specific geographical areas and implement activities to spread learnings and strategies across the broader disability provider sector in NSW and Australia.

The Project Lead may also contribute to a range of activities to support general NDS services. The work may also include contributing to other projects, writing News Updates on disability related topics, preparing policy papers, facilitating workshops, meetings and engaging with providers to provide support and sector development.

This work will occur during a significant period of disability reform in Australia and provides an important opportunity to support disability service providers and make positive impact for people with disability.

Key Responsibilities

The Project Lead plays a critical role in delivering the industry development project and other NDS sector development and support activities. The role works to the State Manager NSW and works collaboratively and in close liaison with NDS Workforce and Employment staff.

• Lead and manage the project to deliver effective, high-quality planning and delivery against objectives and to meet the project key performance indicators.
• Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with external stakeholders and NDS team members.
• Provide high level development and support to disability providers, broader stakeholders through advice, forums, meetings, presentations, articles, news updates and individual consultation.
• Develop and maintain strong up-to-date knowledge of the disability sector, current issues, reforms, and strategies being implemented both nationally and in NSW.
• Prepare high quality written materials including policy submissions, reports, and workshop materials.
• Represent NDS by providing high quality advice including responding to enquiries, attending meetings, forums, workshops, and conferences.
• Complete an array of project management activities to high quality, timely and within budget as determined through the NDS deliverables using contemporary good practice project management skills.
• Contribute, where appropriate, to broader NDS policy work. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required by manager/supervisor from time to time.
• Comply with NDS’s policies and procedures at all times, including (but not limited to) HR, Quality, Work Health & Safety (WHS), IT, Security, and Data Privacy
• Demonstrate the NDS values of Build respectful relationships, Lead change, deliver clarity & impact, Support and develop others, Embrace diversity.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in the health or social care sector or in a role providing consultancy, peak body or member led services supporting the sector.
• Knowledge of the disability sector and current challenges and opportunities
• Demonstrated experience to determine key stakeholder needs and create tailored solutions based on sector environment, trends, and opportunities.
• Knowledge of best practice change management practice.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) including demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and maintain networks with a range of stakeholders and publicly present on sector opportunities.
• Demonstrated project management skills and proven capability to support multi-faceted projects delivered to quality, on time and on budget.
• Proactive and self-driven. Resilient and adaptable to change course of action as needed.
• Proficiency with the MS Office Suite.
• Willingness and capacity for regular travel around NSW.
• A tertiary qualification in a discipline relevant to the role

What We Offer

• Flexible working opportunities
• Salary packaging benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff Rewards & Discounts program
• Learning and development opportunities

To Apply

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse communities to join NDS.  

NDS is committed to supporting equal employment opportunities for individuals with disability and will provide reasonable workplace adjustments.  We encourage potential applicants with lived experience to contact NDS to discuss any questions regarding individual workplace adjustments. 

NDS also provides adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via [email protected] using the subject line: Project Lead – Industry Development – Disability Sector enquiry via EthicalJobs, or 02 9256 3141 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone).

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button. 

For further information, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Project Lead – Industry Development – Disability Sector enquiry via EthicalJobs. Please do not send your application to this email address, as it’s for enquiries only. 

The successful applicant must be prepared to undertake a pre-employment police check. In addition, due to the inherent work, health and safety considerations and legislative requirements of this role, they must also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e. double dosed plus recommended booster doses) prior to commencing any work, unless medically exempt. 

No agencies please.