Housing Policy and Program Lead

Work Type: Full time (38 hours per week), 22-Month fixed term contract through to 30 June 2028

Classification: Level 6.1 - 6.3 SCHADS Award (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 – Social and Community Services Employee)

Total Remuneration: $58.37 - $60.95 per hour (pro rata where applicable), plus 12% Superannuation, 17.5% leave loading, with the option to salary sacrifice up to $15,900 to increase your take home pay

Location: 338 Turbot Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane and 66 Bowen Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane.

QDN has been making a difference to the lives of people with disability for over 20 years. We are a human right based, membership representative body of over 3000 people with a disability and their supporters. Our vision is that people with disability are active and valued citizens of Queensland. Our mission is to empower people with disability to be fully included as citizens in the social and economic life of the community. Our motto is ‘Nothing about us, Without us’.

QDN’s work is centred around a strong state-wide network of people with disability across Queensland, to inform, connect, lead, and influence change to deliver an inclusive Queensland community.

QDN actively works to influence change around key issues of inclusion for people with disability and their communities. To do this effectively, this role leads on delivering the qualitative and quantitative evidence required to underpin QDN’s housing work. This is a hands-on role developing and managing projects and actively engaging with people with disability and your work will have considerable impact. You can expect to be consulting with our members on housing issues to inform our policy statements and ensure products, services, programs and policies are reflective of the four Housing Principles for inclusive communities – rights, control, choice and inclusion.

Policy and Strategy

• Demonstrated expertise in housing policy, disability policy or human services that is important in the lives of people with disability.
• Ability to analyse complex policy issues and develop practical reform recommendations.
• Strong understanding of government policy processes.

Leadership

• Experience leading staff and multidisciplinary projects.
• Project management knowledge and skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing work programs.
• Strong decision-making capability.

Project Delivery

• Experience and skills in delivery of projects alongside people with diverse disability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Experience engaging government, community and lived experience stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build influence and partnerships.

Communication

• High-quality writing skills across policy, submissions and reports and ensure materials are accessible, inclusive and engaging for people with diverse disability.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

Organisational

• Experience working with Microsoft 365 and other software applications
• The ability to comply with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation and frameworks including Work Health and Safety requirements, QDN’s quality management system as required under ISO 9001, NDIS Quality and Safeguards and Queensland Human Rights Act.

We deeply value lived experience. People with disability, or family connections of people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

1. Manage and lead the housing team, ensuring members collectively function as a collaborative and cohesive unit to deliver on QDN’s housing policy and projects including implementation of QDN’s housing workplans.  

2. Lead the day-to-day functions associated with the housing workplan including project management of multiple projects including project governance, reporting.

3. Delivery of activities including delivery of workshops, forums, presentations, engagements, consultations, meetings and events both in person and online alongside people with disability.

4. Lead disability-led engagement and co-design activities that includes with people with disability, families/carers and other key stakeholders to inform QDN’s housing work and activities including secretariat support to expert panel of people with disability.  

5. Undertake research and analysis and provide informed, considered and practical advice on government housing policy, programs and implementation programs with a key focus on diverse housing issues impacting people with disability.

6. Produce content for and provide expert advice on QDN’s housing policy work, including media statements, briefings, reports, submissions, presentations, newsletters, website content, publications, communication material and other sources of information.

7. Establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships with relevant government, private and not-for-profit organisations, to influence state and national policy and represent the position and views of QDN to all relevant internal and external stakeholders in a way that enhances the reputation of the organisation

8. Participate actively in QDN culture of a safe and inclusive work environment

9. Other duties as directed by your line manager

QDN has a rich history as a unique and diverse disability membership organisation. Every day you’ll have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside people with disability to work together towards creating a more inclusive community.  

We are a supportive, and friendly team with strong belief in human rights and working to make change happen.

Key Relationships

Under the supervision and direction of the Manager – Policy this position works as part of a team where interdependencies and collaboration with col­leagues, QDN members and internal and external stakeholders are critical to the successful delivery of research, engagement and advocacy. The position has a small team to supervise and direct reports.

Key Job Requirements

Relevant tertiary qualifications (or demonstrated equivalent experience) or relevant experience in the areas of disability, human services and/or policy experience would be highly desirable.

About our Workplace 

 Benefits of joining us include; 

• Meaningful, member-led work: You’ll have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside people with disability to work together towards creating a more inclusive community. Meet our members and learn more about QDN by watching our membership campaign video.   
• Competitive remuneration: $58.37 - $60.95 per hour plus 12% superannuation and 17.5% leave loading. 
• Salary sacrifice: Option to package up to $15,900 annually to increase your take-home pay. 
• Supportive, inclusive team: A friendly and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued 
• Accessible office in central location: Our offices are close to public transport in Spring Hill 

Equality Statement

QDN is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and cultures. We deeply value lived experience and strongly encourage applications from people with disability, and from people with family or community connections to disability.  

QDN is committed to increasing employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply. 

HOW TO APPLY 

QDN recognises that people bring different experiences, strengths and access needs. We're committed to an accessible recruitment process and workplace. If you need adjustments at any stage, please get in touch. 

To apply, please submit: 

• Your resume 
• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your interest in QDN and this role, and the skills, approach and experience you will bring to the role.  

Applications must include both a resume and a cover letter to be considered.

Application close at 5pm on Wednesday 19th August 2026.

For questions or to request adjustments, contact ************@qdn.org.au or call 1300 363 ***.