Introduction National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's peak body for disability service organisations. Representing 1,000 members across Australia, we are Australia’s biggest and most diverse network of disability service providers. Our valued members collectively operate several thousand services for more than 300,000 Australians with disability and employ a workforce of more than 100,000 people. 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. To find out more about NDS, please visit our website at https://nds.org.au Description About the Role: Location: Parkville, Melbourne Working Arrangement: Hybrid ( minimum 1 day in the office per week) Hours: Full-time, 38 hours per week; Four days per week, 30.4 hours per week will also be considered Status: Fixed-term contract for 2 years Industrial Instrument: Non Award The Senior Sector Support & Policy Officer will be responsible for successful delivery of projects and initiatives, policy analysis and advice, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring alignment of activities with NDS national initiatives and policy directions. This role will manage and deliver a range of sector development and support projects and initiatives, to build the capacity and capability of disability services in Victoria. The position plays a critical role in supporting member activities including information, network meetings and webinars. The role supports individual organisations and supports both Victorian and National projects. In this role you should be passionate about supporting people across the disability service sector to grow and develop. The role involves developing and managing positive constructive relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders to identify both emerging issues and developments and sector development needs and opportunities. The role involves documenting and synthesising policy issues, in addition to designing, sourcing, and facilitating solutions, workshops and forums to meet sector needs. Working closely with other NDS staff on both policy and sector support issues is critical. This role will include a particular focus on disability housing and support and the disability workforce in the context of current disability reform. Responsibilities will be tailored to suit the agreed individual project deliverables. Key Responsibilities: The Senior Sector Support & Policy Officer plays a critical role in delivering NDS Victoria outcomes. Key responsibilities include: Provide high level advice on the ongoing and emerging issues and risks facing local providers in the context of a dynamic and complex state and national policy environment. Initiate and deliver sector development activities in response to identified sector priorities. Provide expertise on a range of NDS initiatives including providing expert advice within national policy contexts. Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with government representatives, disability providers and multiple and diverse stakeholders. Fulfil all monitoring and reporting obligations and workplan targets, coordination of multiple stakeholders and streams of activity. Contribute to collaborative positive working relationships within NDS Victorian and across NDS. Other Responsibilities (applicable for all NDS employees): 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 Respond to reasonable contact from NDS outside standard work hours if required as part of role responsibilities. Develop accessible versions of documents for internal and external distribution. Demonstrate the NDS values of Build respectful relationships, Lead change, Deliver clarity & impact, Support and develop others and Embrace diversity. Skills And Experiences Skills & Experience: Demonstrated experience in health and social care sector or role providing consultancy, peak body or member led services supporting the sector. Demonstrated high level 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. 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 to travel 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 recruitment@nds.org.au or 02 9256 3141 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone). Applications close: Tuesday 25th November 2025 . Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the Apply button. For further information please contact recruitment@nds.org.au. 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. No agencies please.
