Advocate Team Leader – Older Persons

Location:                                         Canberra

Employment Status:                 Permanent – full time

About ADACAS

ADACAS (ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service) is a leading advocacy service with a 30-year history in Canberra. ADACAS also provides services across south-eastern NSW. ADACAS provides individual advocacy to people with disability, older people, and people experiencing mental ill health.

About the Role

The Advocate Team Leader – Older Persons is responsible for the management of five staff working in the ACT and for achieving the strategic objectives outlined in the funding contract. The Team Leader will work collaboratively with their peers within ADACAS also colleagues as part of the OPAN network. 

This position is focused on managing a team of Advocates who have diverse roles. Our clients are First Nations people over the age of 50 years and other Canberrans over the age of 65, often living in residential aged care or receiving Commonwealth Home Support Services.  This position is also responsible for supporting staff who manage the Navigator Program which is a service aimed to inform and support people to access My Aged Care.

This is an exciting role for an experienced manager who enjoys both thinking strategically, supporting a team and having one on one contact with clients. 

Key responsibilities include:

  • Managing the contract deliverables and reporting requirements associated with funding contracts
  • Support and/or represent ADACAS clients, applying a best practice approach in individual advocacy.
  • Ensure that all activities are recorded accurately in the client management system.
  • Escalate any issues or concerns with the Service Delivery & Quality Manager or CEO in a prompt and timely manner.
  • Help identify key trends, including potential and actual systemic advocacy issues.
  • Represent ADACAS at events as delegated and at designated agency network meetings.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with community partners, service providers, Government agencies and other stakeholders as required and take part in meetings with representatives.
  • Advise the team about practice issues relevant to the delivery of a quality service to clients.
  • Manage the quality of all the work undertaken by the team and conduct quality audits from time to time.
  • Schedule staff team meetings. 
  • Provide the CEO and Older Persons Team with relevant information received from OPAN meetings. 
  • Contribute to achieving the strategic objectives as outlined in the ADACAS Strategic Plan 
  • Build a strong and cohesive team that works well together and across the other teams within ADACAS 
  • Ensure all staff have undertaken training and professional development in accordance with OPAN requirements, minimum data set criteria and contractual reporting requirements.  

About you

Forget the suits! Come as you are, be who you are. We value authenticity. 

You will be able to demonstrate the following: 

  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of My Aged Care and the issues impacting Older People
  • A strong commitment to work within a human-rights framework and take a restorative practice approach.
  • Knowledge of what advocacy is and key advocacy issues in our society.
  • Solid understanding of providing a culturally safe environment
  • Experience working with First Nations people and the CALD community
  • Demonstrated ability to understand and apply legislation, policies and procedures, including the ability to identify issues and problem solve.
  • An understanding of or experience with Government legislation, processes and services in relation to aged care, disability and mental health.
  • Experience working in the community service sector or similar.
  • A tertiary qualification in human services / social work / behavioural science / community services OR an equivalent combination of relevant experience / education / training 
  • 5+ years experience managing a team, working strategically and achieving contractual outcomes
  • Sound knowledge and application of the MS Office suite of applications.
  • Knowledge of or experience with Salesforce (desirable)

The successful applicant will hold, or be able to obtain, a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration, current National Criminal Record Check and have a current driver’s license. All ADACAS employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive an annual influenza immunisation. 

What’s on Offer 

Our office coffee is strong, but our dedication to human rights is even stronger. 

  • A rewarding opportunity that can make a difference within your local community.
  • Classification 6 of the SCHADS Award will be negotiated with the successful applicant depending on qualifications and experience. 
  • Ongoing training and learning opportunities.
  • Have the backing of a supportive and friendly team.
  • Free parking.
  • Generous Salary Packaging Benefits including everyday living expenses of $15,900 tax free and Meal/Entertainment card – $2,650 tax free

First Nations applicants and people living with disability are encouraged to apply.

To apply

Submit your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria via email. ADACAS reserves the right to close this role early if suitable candidates are found. Please monitor your email regarding communication on progress of your application.

Email ADACAS