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 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 be dedicated to: 

• Develop, implement, monitor and report on disability activities while also identifying opportunities for collaboration, efficiency, and innovative approaches to enhance outcomes and advance strategic priorities. 
• Provide disability specific inputs into the global scholarship program GEDSI analysis to identify common accessibility challenges, impairments, and barriers across the network. Develop targeted interventions and highlight best practices for broader adoption 
• Contribute to the global Australia Awards GEDSI Strategy by identifying entry points for disability mainstreaming across the scholarship cycle and supporting the implementation of targeted activities. 
• Support disability knowledge sharing and localised best practice activities across programs. Develop resources and facilitate peer-to-peer learning activities (e.g. Community of Practice), to promote learning, sharing and reflection on practice among members. 

Case management  

• Consult with Posts to prepare a Disability Support Statement for each applicant with disability to inform Disability Support Agreements and Disability Carer Agreement (if required). 
• In consultation with Posts, institutions, DFAT’s Global Education and Scholarships Section (GLE) and the scholar prepare Disability Support Agreements ensuring compliance with the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.  

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 
• Provide disability inputs into the PSU Risk and Safeguard Management Plan. Proactively and transparently identifying and communicating risks using established risk management mechanisms.  

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

• 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 1st 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.