Disability Adviser - International Scholarship Program

Disability Adviser - AAGSM PSU

• Fixed term contract up to 30 June 2029
• Purpose driven work in a great team environment
• Canberra preferred, other locations within Australia considered

About Palladium
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social, climate and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to help solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, the environment, and, most importantly, people's lives.

The Program
The Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) is an initiative designed to enhance the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) international scholarship program delivery by providing operational, technical and analytical services to DFAT and the broader scholarship delivery network. The AAGSM consists of the Program Support Unit (PSU) - responsible for delivery of operational and technical services and the Research and Analytical Support Unit (RASU) - responsible for delivery of analytical and research services. Palladium delivers the AAGSM PSU and cooperates with DFAT to ensure effective functioning with the RASU.

The Role
The Disability Adviser is responsible for providing specialist disability case management support to DFAT Posts, tertiary institutions and scholars throughout the scholarship cycle, ensuring that scholars with a disability can fully participate in the scholarship in line with DFAT policies.

Drawing on case management service learnings and available monitoring and reporting data, the Disability Adviser will also inform policy, guiding frameworks and tools (including risk and safeguard management) while providing targeted stakeholder capability uplift.

Working closely with the GEDSI Adviser to ensure alignment and coherence, the Disability Adviser will:

• Provide disability specific inputs into the global scholarship program GEDSI Analysis and GEDSI Strategy.
• Develop, implement, monitor and report on disability activities while also identifying opportunities for collaboration, efficiency, and innovative approaches to enhance outcomes.
• Support disability knowledge sharing and localised best practice activities across programs.

Case management

• Provide specialised assessment and advice, on disability inclusive support to all stakeholders for each stage of the scholarship cycle: pre departure, mobilisation through to completion of scholarship.
• Consult with stakeholders to prepare Disability Support Statement for each applicant with a disability, and Disability Support Agreements and Disability Carer Agreements (as applicable).
• Provide on-award support for all scholars with disability, including liaising with institutions and scholars to ensure they are being appropriately supported, visiting scholars and tertiary institutions in Australia for complex cases if required and supporting scholars with disability involved in welfare or critical incidents directly related to the scholar's disability.

Policy

• Proactively engage in Australia Awards policy discussions, identifying gaps and developing concept notes for policy review, drawing on case management experience.
• Support the capability uplift of Posts and tertiary institutions to enhance alignment with disability policy and strengthen the management of complex and emerging disability issues by developing resources, delivering training and leading capacity development initiatives.

About you
Inspired by a strong commitment to fostering accessibility, inclusion and equity, you will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in an Allied Health Profession (preferably in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy).
• Expertise in disability support services in a multi-cultural and inclusive environment.
• Advanced understanding of disability inclusion principles with experience in producing and implementing individual disability plans and policies. Familiarity with Disability-inclusion in the DFAT Aid Program and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons and human rights treaties highly desirable.
• Considerable experience strengthening policies with the focus on disability inclusion in the Australian environment.
• Highly developed interpersonal and social skills including cross-cultural experience and communication skills. Demonstrated excellence in stakeholder engagement to maintain engaged and productive relationships.
• Substantial experience facilitating capacity strengthening trainings on disability support.
• Excellent written skills including concise and accurate reporting and business writing skills.

To Apply

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Applications close Sunday 1 June 2025, 11.59pm AEST however we will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and interviewing and may close the job vacancy early if we find a suitable candidate. We encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.