Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer

Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer

Position: Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer

Location: Darwin                  

Duration: Part time, fixed term until 30 December 2024

Classification: $70,993 - $76,403 per annum (HPCS 2.1-2.4)

Job description

The purpose of the Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer (ADLO) is to ensure there is culturally appropriate connection between the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) and the Community.

This position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8 (1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT).

WHO ARE WE?

Established in 1991, Danila Dilba Health Service (DDHS) is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation committed to providing culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary health care services and community development within the Biluru (Aboriginal) community of the Yilli Rreung (Greater Darwin) Region in the Northern Territory.

We work to address the social determinants of health including the broader issues that affect our people’s health, through evidence-based research and public advocacy. We also work to empower individuals, families, and communities to optimise their health.

WHAT WILL YOU FOCUS ON?

The purpose of the Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer (ADLO) is to ensure there is culturally appropriate connection between the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) and the Community.

The ADLO will assist in helping to enhance engagement and communication allowing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to know about the NDIS and support to complete NDIS Access Requests.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Delivery

• Provide outreach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a culturally sensitive manner, breaking down barriers to accessing the NDIS and developing trust and rapport.
• Link potential participants to their Partners in the Community (PITC) and/or customer, including through online platforms and resources.
• Support potential participants and their representatives to attend appointments to get functional assessments and other evidence for access requests.
• Linking potential participants to their PITC or customer to help complete Access Request Forms (ARF), Verbal Access.
• Request (VAR) and psychosocial Disabilities evidence forms.
• Supporting potential participants in obtaining updates with respect to submitted forms from the relevant PITC and/or customer.
• Linking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are not eligible for NDIS to community mainstream supports and/or refer them to their PITC to support linkages to the community and mainstream support.

Supporting participant handover by:

• Assisting participants or potential participants build a positive relationship with local PITC and/or the NDIA.
• Supporting local PITC and/or the NDIA to understand the needs and circumstances of participants or potential participants.
• Working together with PITC and/or the NDIA to develop trust and rapport with the participants/ potential participants; and
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and their representatives to link positively with PITC and/or the NDIA.

Collaboration Activities:

• Community and mainstream engagement activities
• ILC grant recipients.
• Health Liaison Officers
• Justice Liaison Officers
• Remote Community Connectors, and Partners in the Community
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and their representatives to understand the processes required to set goals, to understand their plans, ensure the plan is appropriate and link positively with PITC and/or NDIA and/or a capable Support Coordinator.
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and their representatives during planning and review meetings (if required) by providing non-biased support.
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and their representatives to connect with NDIS Complaints and/or NDIS Participant Critical Incident processes (if required); and
• Assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and their representatives with submitting a request for a Plan review (if they don’t have a Support Coordinator).     2

Communication and Teamwork

• Maintain a positive work environment along with harmonious and cooperative relationships with fellow employees, management, and clients.
• Ensure all interactions with clients and staff show appropriate responses to their needs and demonstrate the application of our code of conduct.
• Contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of the workplace to meet organisational objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and professional workplace behaviours and providing assistance to team members as required.
• Be responsible to maintaining your own professional work ethics and participate in staff meetings in a constructive manner.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Experience providing one-on-one support to clients.
• Ability to collect data, write reports and client notes.
• Experience working in an Aboriginal community/health/disability service.
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues and barriers that impact upon the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• The ability to interact and communicate with Aboriginal people from diverse backgrounds, with sensitivity to Aboriginal culture, history, and current social impacts on them.
• Effective organisational skills to plan, manage and prioritise tasks and resources to deliver outcomes within time and budget considerations.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, cope with pressure and able to meet tight timelines.
• The ability to interact and effectively engage with a range of administrative staff, medical practitioners, nurses, and other health professionals and external agencies.
• Demonstrated computer skills especially in the use of client information systems or similar.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or willingness to learn.
• Knowledge and understanding of child protection requirements relating to community organisations.
• Experience working with external health providers and other community-based services and organisations.
• Experience working in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector.
• Tertiary qualification in community services, health, or another relevant professional field (preferred but not essential).

CONTACT AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

Kate Finegan (Senior Manager – Chronic Disease) 08 8942 5400

We ask that you supply the following documentation in your application to assist the hiring managers with their decision making.  

• Police check or willingness to obtain one
• Current Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card) or the ability and willingness to obtain one
• Current CPR certificate or the preparedness to gain one within 6 months of commencement. 
• Full vaccination against Covid-19 or evidence of exemption as listed on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
• Current drivers’ licence
• Work right documents (Australian passport/birth certificate OR international passport with visa).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

• 6 weeks annual leave
• 5 days paid leave during end-of-year shut down (additional to annual leave)
• Salary packaging up to $15,990 per annum

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Select “Apply now” and you will be directed to the full position description.

Select “Apply now” and you will be directed to the full position description.

Danila Dilba Health Service is committed to protecting the rights of children in all areas where we work. Applicants are advised we will conduct police checks and other screening procedures to ensure we maintain and promote a child safe environment.

To work with DDHS you must hold, or be willing to obtain, a current police check, a valid NT working with children's card, a current CPR certificate and full vaccination against COVID-19, or an exemption as listed on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Only those with full working rights will be considered for this position.