Policy and Project Lead

National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's peak body for disability service organisations and has been supporting and representing the disability sector for more than 80 years. Our valued members collectively operate several thousand services for more than 300,000 Australians with disability and employ a workforce of more than 100,000 people across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.  NDS has a strong and influential presence in every state and territory across Australia.

At NDS, our work is purposeful, collaborative and grounded in impact. We play a key role in shaping a stronger, more sustainable sector that improves outcomes for people with disability.  We influence national reform, advocate for high quality providers and help our members navigate complexity in a changing environment. Every role at NDS contributes to this impact, whether you work in policy & advocacy, member services, marketing & communications, operations, projects or corporate services.

At NDS, our values underpin everything we do.  NDS employees have a passion to make a difference, are member focused, value diversity and lived experience, share knowledge and expertise and prioritise progress over perfection.  NDS supports our people to achieve their goals with a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, employee wellbeing progams and opportunities for growth and learning. 

To find out more about NDS, please visit our website at https://nds.org.au

Location:  Hobart, Tasmania

Hours: Full Time or Part Time (30.4-34.2 hours/week)

Status: Permanent, hybrid working (remote working would be considered) 

Industrial Instrument: Non Award

The Policy & Project Lead – TAS is responsible for successful delivery of projects, policy analysis and advice, contributes to the effective operation of the NDS TAS team, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring alignment of NDS TAS activities with NDS national initiatives and policy directions.

• Provide high level advice on the ongoing and emerging issues and risks facing local providers in the context of a dynamic and complex state and national policy environment.
• Provide expertise on a range of NDS national initiatives including providing expert advice within national policy contexts.
• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with government representatives, disability providers and multiple and diverse stakeholders.
• Lead assigned projects, deliver on project objectives, fulfil all monitoring and reporting obligations and workplan targets, coordination of multiple stakeholders and streams of activity. 
• Contribute to development and cohesion of the TAS team, support the State Manager – TAS and fulfill leadership responsibilities when required.  Contribute to collaborative positive working relationships across NDS.

Other Responsibilities (applicable for all NDS employees):

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required by manager/supervisor from time to time
• Comply with NDS’s policies and procedures at all times, including (but not limited to) HR, Quality, Work Health & Safety (WHS), IT, Security, and Data Privacy
• Respond to reasonable contact from NDS outside standard work hours if required as part of role responsibilities. 
• Develop accessible versions of documents for internal and external distribution.  
• Demonstrate the NDS values of Build respectful relationships, Lead change, Deliver clarity & impact, Support and develop others and Embrace diversity.

1. Demonstrable high-level expertise and policy knowledge relating to disability services, disability sector and people with disability.
2. Demonstrated high-level project management skills and proven capability to manage complex projects with multiple priorities and deadlines on time and on budget, meeting project deliverables and objectives. 
3. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and conceptual thinking and analysis to solve complex problems and contribute to effective outcomes, at both local and national levels.
4. Excellent communication, consultation and interpersonal skills with the demonstrated capacity to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, disability providers and external audiences, at both local and national levels.
5. Proactive and self-driven with demonstrated resilience and ability to work in a constantly changing environment with flexibility to move between priorities.  
6. A tertiary degree, preferably in a related field, or equivalent in experience. A masters’ qualification is desirable. 

• Flexible working opportunities
• Salary packaging benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff Rewards & Discounts program
• Learning and development opportunities

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQA+ and culturally diverse communities to join NDS.  

NDS is committed to supporting equal employment opportunities for individuals with disability and will provide reasonable workplace adjustments.  We encourage potential applicants with lived experience to contact NDS to discuss any questions regarding individual workplace adjustments.  NDS also provides adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via ••••@nds.org.au or 02 •••• •141 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone).

Applications close: 23 August 2026. Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the Apply button.   For further information please contact ••••@nds.org.au.  Please do not send your application to this email address, as it's for enquiries only. 

The successful applicant must be prepared to undertake a pre-employment police check.  

No agencies please.