Senior Project and Engagement Officer

• Location: Parkville, Melbourne – however there is flexibility with location.
• Hours: 22.8 hours (3-day week)
• Status: Fixed Term contract ending 31 January 2026

National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia’s peak body for non-government disability service organisations, representing over 1200 service providers and their workforce of over 150 thousand people who collectively provide support services for nearly 2 million people with disability.

NDS has a strong and influential presence in every state and territory across Australia. Our core functions are to advocate to government for sector-wide changes and improvements, to inform our members about issues that impact them, and to provide resources and services that assist them to deliver sustainable high quality support services for people with disability.

NDS employees have the passion to make a difference, are driven to deliver the highest quality support and services to our members, and thrive in an environment of positive change and continuous improvement.  If this sounds like you, check out this opportunity below!  Or, to find out more about NDS, please visit our website.

Position Purpose:

NDS has established a project to address inclusive governance for people with disability on the Boards of disability service providers.  This will be known as the Across the Board project.

NDS is leading this project in recognition of its close connection to the disability services sector and its demonstrated expertise in building sector knowledge and capability.

The Senior Project Officer role will conduct research, engage with disability service providers and other stakeholders, identify project challenges, source expertise, and develop and build a repository of accessible tools and resources.

It is expected that the position holder is aligned to, and demonstrates NDS’s values of respect, teamwork and collaboration, leadership, innovation and accountability at all times.

Position Overview:

A Senior Project Officer plays a senior role in delivering the Across the Board project.

Activities will include:

• Facilitating the adoption of a policy to encourage participating disability service organisations to include directors who live with disability.
• Managing the action plan for the initiative, ensuring that deliverables are met and adjusted accordingly based upon progress and developments.
• Organising meetings of the project participants and workshops for target organisations; preparing and distributing presentations and documentation for these events.
• Developing a network of board directors with disability to mentor aspiring directors.
• Maintaining engagement with a network of leaders within participating disability services, as well as establishing links with disability representative organisations.
• Producing communications materials ahead of the NDS Workforce Census survey to remind disability service organisations to record information about directors’ disability status and highlight examples of good practice.
• Compiling training and information resources for potential board members, governing bodies and executive management.
• Researching topics as required, including sourcing of contemporary journal articles and research to support the initiative.
• Advocating the importance of lived experience in governance bodies – internally within NDS, to disability service providers and training organisations, as well as supporting advocacy efforts to other external agencies (including government) in order to build support.
• Working with the NDS communications team to develop branding and hosting of a resource hub on the NDS website.

Skills & Experience:

• Personal lived experience of disability.
• Skills in effectively communicating complex information.
• Demonstrated strong organisational skills, initiative, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills and the capability to interact and network with people in a variety of positions.
• Experience in policy research, analysis and development; or similar skills.
• Experience in service delivery, research and/or community development activities in the not-for-profit sector.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• A tertiary qualification in a related discipline would be highly regarded.
• Prior experience leading work in the disability services sector would be highly regarded.

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] 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: Senior Project and Engagement Officer 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.