Community Engagement Lead

ABOUT JIGSAW:

Jigsaw is a not-for-profit organisation designed to break the cycle so many people with disability face – of never gaining entry to the workforce.

At Jigsaw, we believe people prepare best for work, through work and our mission is to ‘build an Australia in which people with disability are fully included in the workforce’.

The Jigsaw employment pathway includes a structured capacity building program, where we support people to build foundational workplace skills that we all need for any job, in any industry. The Jigsaw program also includes a document and data management social enterprise, providing a range of high-quality commercial services to corporate and government clients. This social enterprise enables us to provide a platform where our people can prepare best for work, through work using this workplace immersion opportunity - applying theory into practice. Our proven model has resulted in an average 12 month employment retention rate that is more than double the average national retention rate for the current Commonwealth Government Disability Employment Services (DES) program.

Learn more about Jigsaw at https://jigsawaustralia.com.au/

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Community Engagement Lead is the face of Jigsaw in their local community. It is a key functional leadership role, accountable for developing a healthy referral pipeline and coordinating timely, high-quality intake activity to support agreed hub capacity targets. The role has a strong business development, relationship management and networking focus in the disability community - from individuals and their families, to schools, support coordinators, allied health professionals and other areas of the community. The Community Engagement Lead is a strategic thinker, able to develop and execute on growth strategies.

Key areas of accountability include:

• Proactively develop, maintain and nurture professional relationships across the local area, including with schools, support coordinators, local area coordinators, allied health professionals and other community services, to position Jigsaw Australia as a provider of choice for disability employment supports.
• Regularly attend events and expos in the community; presenting on behalf of Jigsaw where possible.
• Work closely with Community Engagement Leads in other Jigsaw locations to review and analyse market trends, networking opportunities, business development strategies, marketing and communications strategies.
• Continuously review and test innovative ways in collaboration with other Community Engagement Leads to promote Jigsaw and generate interest from prospective participants and referrers to join and refer to the Jigsaw employment pathway.
• Working closely with the Hub Manager and local team, monitor and strategically forecast the Hub caseload capacity to drive community engagement and intake activity.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of both federal and state-based funding streams, including the NDIS and Foundational Supports.
• Conduct strengths-based intake assessments to understand each prospective participant’s employment goals, support needs, preferences, risks and conditions for success. Prepare a documented suitability recommendation for consideration through Jigsaw’s intake decision-making process.

Qualifications, experience and attributes required:

Essential

• Experience in a business development/sales capacity is essential; ideally within the community services sector with an existing network in the relevant location.
• Knowledge of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to find, build and nurture strategic relationships within the community services sector, with confident public speaking skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders, participants, their formal and informal supports.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities around networking and relationship management, with intake and administrative requirements.
• Proactive and creative problem-solving and independent decision-making capabilities.
• Strong facilitation skills and the ability to deliver information sessions.
• A passion for (and/or experience with) working with people with disability.
• Total commitment to the values, behaviour and culture of Jigsaw and Fighting Chance.

Desirable

• Whilst relevant qualifications are favourable, we value a diverse workforce that bring varied life and employment experience that make up our #UnbeatableWorkforce.

What makes Jigsaw an unbeatable workforce:

• Competitive salary + Super + Salary packaging
• A quarterly Wellness Day to pursue wellness initiatives or activities of importance to you!
• Jigsaw employees receive tax-effective salary packaging opportunities, meaning you can increase the value of your take-home income (including novated car leasing).
• An opportunity to be part of a passionate team, helping to build a fantastic workplace culture whilst carrying out purposeful work.

If you are interested in joining a dynamic organisation at a time of exciting change in the disability sector, apply with your current resume and a cover letter addressing the above criteria.

For more information regarding the role, or to obtain a copy of the full position description, please email recruitment@fightingchance.org.au using the subject line: Community Engagement Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

As a values-based organisation supporting marginalised communities across Australia, we value lived experience and cultural diversity. We encourage applications from people with disability and from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. If you require adjustments to our recruitment process, please reach out for a confidential discussion.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Fighting Chance Australia and Jigsaw Australia are Child Safe Organisations committed to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children and young people. We have zero tolerance for abuse, harm, neglect, discrimination, or inequality, and are dedicated to preventing harm of any kind. We uphold the rights of children and young people to be heard, to have their identity and culture respected, and to have their concerns taken seriously and acted upon. All staff are expected to uphold our Code of Conduct and implement our Child Protection Practices, and to actively promote a culture of safety, respect, and trust in everything we do. At Fighting Chance and Jigsaw, we believe that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.