(Part Time, 12 Month Contract):
Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI)
Location: The role is based in Canberra, with flexible work from home arrangements and some office based work and external meetings as required (we do not require interstate travel);
Hours: 3 days per week;
Salary: Attractive salary aligned with the SCHADS Award (Level 6), plus superannuation and salary packaging;
Applications close: 5:00pm, Friday 29 August 2025.
About the role:
We are looking for a Policy Officer to support our systemic advocacy across key areas affecting people with disability. You will contribute to research, write submissions and briefing papers, and engage directly with government and community stakeholders as well as assist with key projects.
This is a 12 month, part time contract (3 days per week). The role offers flexible work arrangements, including working from home, with some office based work and face to face meetings required depending on project and stakeholder needs.
About us:
Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) is a Disabled People’s Organisation based in Canberra. A Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) is an organisation led by and for people with disability. The majority of our staff, Board and members are people with disability. We provide independent individual and systemic advocacy, and our work is grounded in human rights principles and informed by the CRPD and the ACT Human Rights Act.
AFI is a strong and dynamic peak advocacy organisation for people with disability living in the ACT. We are a small but dynamic team that pulls well above our weight. Over the last several years we have built policy credibility, profile and presence including a white paper series, work on the ACT Inclusion Bill, work guiding the ACT Disability Strategy, the ACT Disability Health Strategy, the Inclusive Education Strategy and the ACT Justice Strategy along with nationally significant work on the implications of COVID, the Royal Commission response and changes to NDIS. We support a collaborative disability caucus of other organisations, participate in the ACTCOSS network and campaigns and are heavily engaged in the ACT legislative assembly committee system and the Budget process.
Lead by our Head of Policy, Craig Wallace, we also provide public face through regular local and national media commentary and lead on some key projects which include the community secretariate for the UN International Day of People with Disability, work to address hate speech and an innovative project to shift attitudinal barriers to transport access. We publish our own E News and a long form journal called the Canberra Disability Review under an independent editor. We have a broadening, but strategic, policy lens which spans across core services like housing, health and education to emerging issues like the impact of energy policy, digital transformation and climate change on people with disability.
What we are looking for:
Essential criteria;
- Intellectual curiosity and interest in disability rights work and/or social change
- Strong writing and communication skills;
- The ability to analyse policy, legislation and public frameworks;
- Good time management and the ability to balance deadlines;
- Stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to represent AFI in external forums under general direction
- A collaborative respectful approach to teamwork;
- ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration or the ability to obtain it.
Desirable criteria;
- Experience in a policy, research or advocacy role;
- Familiarity with DPO led advocacy and the disability sector;
- Relevant qualifications in public policy, law, social science or a related field.
What we offer;
- Salary aligned with the SCHADS Award (Level 6), plus superannuation;
- Salary packaging options to increase take home pay;
- Flexible and inclusive working arrangements;
- A supportive team culture;
- The chance to contribute to real systemic change and to work on interesting and satisfying projects
What is it like working for us?
Working in the AFI policy team is a great opportunity to learn, grow policy skills and build connections in the ACT community sector and the national disability rights movement at a time of rapid change and public prominence. You will work directly to our Head of Policy, Craig Wallace with secondary accountabilities to our policy manager, Dr Jo Luetjens. This is an opportunity to learn and grow within a high functioning team and to work directly with nationally prominent disability leaders and passionate people at a key time for disability rights to achieve lasting change. We are a busy team but we’re also flexible and understand that people have lives outside of work. We offer executive mentoring and other opportunities for growth. We have a commitment to values, positive culture and we operate the policy team as a ‘flat team’ with shared decision making where possible.
How to apply;
To apply, please send the following:
- A cover letter;
- Your Resume;
- A short written response (no more than three – four pages) addressing the essential and desirable criteria listed above.
Send your application to:
Craig Wallace
Email: Craig@advocacyforinclusion.org
Phone: (02) 6257 4005 or 0477 200 755
Applications close: 5:00pm, Friday 29 August 2025