Job description
* Employment Type: Part-Time (2–3 days per week)
* Contract Term: Fixed-term until December 2026
* Location: Pearce Community Centre, Pearce ACT
* Salary: Negotiable depending on level of experience
Purpose of the Role
The Project Officer - Community Consultation will play a key role in supporting Canberrans with intellectual disability, their families, and their supports to have their voices heard and valued. The role focuses on designing and delivering inclusive, accessible consultation processes across a range of projects, including ACT Government initiatives, national projects, and other commissioned work.
This position works alongside people with intellectual disability, their families, and their support networks to ensure their experiences, ideas, and priorities are genuinely listened to and reflected in project outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
* Design and deliver inclusive, accessible consultation activities that work for Canberrans with intellectual disability, their families, and supports.
* Choose consultation methods (e.g., workshops, conversations, interviews, surveys, focus groups) that are engaging and appropriate for the target audience.
* Ensure all materials and approaches are accessible (e.g., Easy Read, visual supports, supported decision-making).
* Create welcoming environments where people feel safe and comfortable sharing their experiences and views.
* Plan and organise work in line with project timelines and funding requirements.
* Keep projects on track and respond to challenges in a practical and solutions-focused way.
* Gather information from consultations in ways that respect different communication styles and support needs.
* Analyse what people have shared to identify key themes, priorities, and opportunities for change.
* Ensure information is handled respectfully, confidentially, and in line with relevant policies.
* Write clear, meaningful reports that accurately reflect what Canberrans with intellectual disability, their families, and supports have shared.
* Ensure reports meet project and funding requirements while staying true to community voices.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Work with people with intellectual disability, families, and supports to shape consultation topics and make sure the right questions are being asked.
* Build strong, respectful relationships with local disability organisations, advocacy groups, service providers, and government stakeholders.
* Facilitate conversations in a way that supports participation and values lived experience, particularly for people who may face barriers to being heard.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
* Demonstrated experience in community consultation, engagement, or participatory work.
* Experience working with people with intellectual disability and/or their families and supports.
* Strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and person-centred practice.
* Ability to communicate clearly and adapt communication to suit different needs.
* Experience designing consultation activities and asking meaningful, accessible questions.
* Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
* Ability to build trust and respectful relationships with a wide range of people.
* Ability to travel for consultations as required.
* Ability to work outside business hours including evenings and weekends as required.
* Current Working with Vulnerable Peoples Check.
Desirable
* Knowledge of the ACT disability sector.
* Knowledge of ACT Government Disability Strategies and Action Plans.
* Experience with Easy Read and accessible communication.
* Understanding of supported decision-making and inclusive practice.
* Relevant qualifications in community services, social sciences, or a related field.
Key Attributes
* Strong commitment to inclusion, rights, and self-determination for people with intellectual disability.
* Respectful, patient, and empathetic approach.
* Ability to listen deeply and value lived experience.
* Flexible and responsive to individual needs and communication styles.
* Organised and reliable, with a strong sense of accountability.
* Proactive and solutions-focused.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities and or people with live experience of disability. Our office is located up a flight of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible, however, flexible working arrangements would be considered if necessary.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Shannon Kolak (CEO) via email using the subject line: Project Officer - Community Consultation enquiry via EthicalJobs.