WHO WE ARE
AMPARO Advocacy Inc. (AMPARO) is a community based non-profit community organisation based in Brisbane that advocates for vulnerable people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds with disability.
AMPARO Advocacy's vision is that people from a CALD background with disability are respected, valued, and included in family, community and the broader society, with equitable access to information, services and supports.
BACKGROUND
This 2-year project is funded under Individual and Family Capacity Building and is administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The project is to be delivered from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2027 in the Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich areas.
The focus is on:
* Individual Capacity Building Supports: Activities that build the knowledge and skills of people with disability aged 3 -25 years to understand their own disability, advocate for themselves, build connections and increase social and economic participation.
* Family and Carers Capacity Building Supports: Activities that empower families, carers and kin of people with disability to support their loved ones and advocate for them.
The priority cohorts that AMPARO will work with in this ILC Project include people from CALD backgrounds with autism, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury and sensory disability.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
AMPARO Advocacy Inc is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and a child safe organisation. AMPARO believes in diversity and as part of our recruitment policy, we encourage applications from people from culturally and linguistically backgrounds, and persons with disability.
We are seeking individuals with a strong commitment to human rights and social justice principles for this project to deliver supports in the Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich areas.
This role demands a commitment to supporting the integrity of AMPARO Advocacy by maintaining a high standard of personal and professional conduct that supports our values and beliefs, including a commitment to:
* Social and economic inclusion for all people with disability
* The principles of human rights and social justice
* Respecting and promoting the strengths and capacities of all individuals.
* Implementing culturally competent, safe and trauma informed practice
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
We are recruiting three (3) Multicultural Engagement Officers for a 22-month part-time contract position, working 30 hours per week each in the Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich areas. Wages will be in line with Level 4 to Level 5 (dependent on experience) of the SCHADS Award and there is the option of Salary Sacrifice. There may be capacity to offer an extension to this contract period.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE:
* Identify and create an engagement plan and strategies to engage with local CALD communities
* Identifying young people with disability in the lead up to and during key life transition points such as, transitioning from kindergarten to school, early intervention supports to NDIS, or high school to post school study or work.
* Engaging with people from CALD backgrounds with disability and their family members to determine the appropriate capacity building activities to address their needs.
* Working closely with people with disability and their families to:
a) Help them prepare for and understand the options available to them during and after key transition points to achieve greater independence, participation and improved access to their communities.
b) Assisting them to develop their own vision for their lives and to understand the possibilities for inclusion in wider community life and make informed decisions.
c) Supporting them to access the specialist disability services, including the NDIS and appropriate mainstream services.
d) Linking them with advocacy services to help them overcome barriers to receiving specialist disability and mainstream services.
* Implementing evaluation processes as determined in the evaluation framework developed with The Centre for Impact and Change.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please submit the following documents:
1. Please provide a cover letter outlining your interest in working with AMPARO Advocacy and demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the role, including a detailed response to each of the selection criteria. In your application, please indicate which area(s) you are applying for: Brisbane, Logan, or Ipswich.
2. Your resume detailing professional experience and education, along with the details of 2 referees.
Only applications addressing the selection criteria will be considered.
Applications close at 9am on the 2nd of February.
Should you wish to talk with someone about this position, please contact Maureen Fordyce by email on to arrange a time for her to call you.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Mandatory Qualification Experiences
Qualifications in Social Sciences/ Human Services or equivalent
Selection Criteria
1. A demonstrated commitment to the principles of human rights, social justice and inclusion of people with disability
2. An understanding of the social barriers and issues that impact on the lives of people from CALD backgrounds
3. Thorough knowledge of specialist disability services, including the NDIS and approaches that support the inclusion of people with disability in family and community life
4. Experience in community engagement and ability to provide information that meets the needs of people from a CALD background with disability
5. Experience in liaising and communicating with community and government stakeholders
6. High level of communication and interpersonal skills
7. Well-developed skills and experience in using Microsoft Office 365 and CRM systems.
Preferable Qualifications
* Qualifications in Social Sciences/ Human Services or equivalent
Mandatory Requirements
* COVID vaccination
* Current Working with Children (Blue card) check
* Current Disability Worker Screening (Yellow card) check
* Open C class driver's licence
* Access to a fully comprehensively insured vehicle
Terms and Conditions
AMPARO employees are employed under the conditions of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award.
The Multicultural Engagement Officer role is 60 hours per fortnight. This position is a fixed-term contract until December 2027 with the possibility of extension. All AMPARO positions have a funding contingent, continuing employment provision, that employment will continue only if funding for the position is available. Pay and conditions are equivalent to Level 4/5 (dependent on experience) of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award.
Where an employee is required and authorised to use their motor vehicle in the course of their duties, they will be reimbursed at the approved award rate as per the AMPARO Transport policy.
Clearance Checks
The Disability Services Act 2006 requires criminal history screening for all people engaged by a funded non‐government service provider. All staff are required to obtain a Working with Children Check ("Blue Card") and Disability Worker Screening Clearance ("Yellow Card") prior to commencing employment. Ongoing employment is dependent upon the person's ability to renew their Blue Card and the Yellow Card when due.