Advocacy Officer

Advocacy Officer - Fixed Term

Want to help make a difference whilst also having work/life balance?

Want to be part of a purpose-drive, fun and energetic team?

Wunan Health and Well-Being Centre is an accredited multi-disciplinary healthcare service based in the East Kimberley region. Our rapidly expanding service includes a GP clinic, headspace Kununurra, and Kununurra Withdrawal and Intervention Centre (KWIC). Wunan also delivers the Disability Advocacy Program.

Our team of dedicated and experienced healthcare professionals provide high-quality care to the local community and to the many visitors to our magnificent region.

Conveniently located in the town centre of Kununurra in a brand-new purpose-built facility, Wunan Health and Well-Being Centre is proudly owned and operated by Wunan Foundation, an East Kimberley Aboriginal development organisation.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated, experienced and compassionate Advocacy Officer to join our team in a fixed term role. In this role you will:

• Support people with disability and those who share their lives, to be engaged and empowered to meet their individual goals; and
• Provide advocacy to promote, protect, uphold and defend the human rights, independence and self-determination of people with disability who face complex challenges.

About You:

You are proactive and experienced working with culturally and linguistically diverse and vulnerable people. You are driven by values of diversity, inclusion and equality.

Key Duties

• Provide advocacy and representation for people with disability and those who share their lives
• Navigate complex systemic barriers – not letting people “fall through the cracks”.
• Solve problems, listen and synthesise clients’ needs and propose strategies to address complex challenges.
• Liaise and link service users with various service providers and agencies across sectors
• Communicate and network with key stakeholders
• Manage risks management including maintaining professional boundaries and managing conflict of interest
• Referral and case management and service user data collection
• Prepare program outcome reports
• Work with the broader Wunan Health and Wunan Foundation teams
• Travel to local towns or communities

Requirements Of The Role:

Essential Criteria:

• Qualification and/or experience in advocacy, disability, aged care, social work or other relevant discipline
• Experience supporting or advocating for vulnerable individuals on a one-to-one basis to meet their individual needs
• An understanding of the wellbeing needs and aspirations of people with or caring for people with disability.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective and trusting relationships with people internally and externally
• Good IT skills including Microsoft 365 applications.
• Ability to travel to Halls Creek and Warmun Community every 3 months
• Commitment to Wunan Foundation's vision, values and mission
• National Police Check (or willingness to obtain)
• Current Australian Drivers Licence
• First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Work with Children Check (or willingness to obtain)
• NDIS Workers training (or willingness to obtain)

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working in not-for profit or community service organisations
• Experience working with Aboriginal people and communities
• Knowledge of local communities in the East Kimberley
• Able to work with Microsoft Office and Best Practice (BP) software

Benefits:

• Work/life balance – working Monday to Friday (no weekends or Public Holidays)

• Competitive Salary

• Access to salary packaging incl meal & entertainment card
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Working within a safe and supportive environment that values its team members greatly
• Working amongst highly skilled and experienced clinicians and supporting staff

Please apply via email to PracticeManager@wunanhealth.org.au including your CV and a cover letter, plus 2 current references

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

☐ Satisfactory Criminal History Check (not older than 6 months)

☐ Current Australian unrestricted ‘C’ class Driver’s licence

NOTE: All final applicants for this position will be asked to consent to a criminal record check and/or a working with children check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 3rd October 2025 (Wunan reserves the right to commence recruitment process and/or close recruitment early if an applicable candidate is sourced).