Employment Opportunities

Women with Disabilities Victoria is a vibrant organisation of women with disabilities working for women with disabilities in Victoria.

We have a disability friendly work environment.

We particularly encourage applications from women with disabilities, including those from diverse backgrounds, such as LGBTIQ+, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, CALD, migrant, and refugee backgrounds.

If you have any questions about the roles advertised please contact Recruitment at [email protected]

Policy Research Lead (Parental Leave Replacement)

Apply for this position via our Policy Research Lead page.

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) is the peak organisation for women with disabilities in Victoria. WDV’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan envisions a safe and fulfilling life for all women and gender diverse people with disabilities in Victoria.

Our strategic priorities are to:

  • Enhance WDV’s operational efficiency and funding resilience.
  • Establish research partnerships with a focus on inclusion, health, gendered violence, sexual autonomy and economic justice.
  • Build gender-based accessibility and inclusion expertise across Victoria.
  • Work to dismantle ableist and sexist attitudes and systems, develop community understanding of rights and educate and empower members to live safe and fulfilling lives.
  • Embed a member and community-led approach to advocacy and system change.

WDV values are accountability, diversity, inclusion, impact, equity, respect, accessibility, creativity, collaboration and empowerment.

About the role:

We are currently seeking a Policy Research Lead to fill an 8-month parental leave replacement position, commencing early August 2025.

This position is responsible for supporting the CEO and management team by undertaking policy and research activities that align with the priorities identified in WDV’s Strategic Plan.

The Policy Research Lead will also play a leading role in building the credibility and reach of our advocacy and policy work. Ensuring our work is intersectional, relevant, accurate and reflects the reality of the lives of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

  • Provide subject matter expertise on disability policy and issues affecting women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
  • Lead the development of evidence-informed WDV policy submissions and position statements.
  • Provide specialist advice to support policy and research-related representations, consultations, and activities.
  • Foster and maintain external stakeholder partnerships that enable WDV to progress out policy agenda.
  • Facilitate regular engagement with WDV Experts by Experience and Regional Hub members on topics related to WDV’s key policy and advocacy priorities.
  • Engaging with members to ensure our policy work and representations are informed by their lived experience.

About You:

Our ideal candidate is an excellent communicator with a strong background in research, policy analysis, and submission writing. Your passion for equality and social justice drives your work, and you understand and are willing to learn more about how policy impacts women and gender diverse people with disabilities.

You are curious, listen deeply, and value lived experience. You can work independently or as part of a team, and you thrive in collaborative environments. You are friendly, flexible, and open-minded, and you enjoy working closely with other staff and a wide range of external stakeholders, including community organisations, government officials, and WDV members.

Ideally you will have lived experience of being a woman or gender diverse person with disability.

What we offer:

  • Disability Leave
  • Cultural Leave
  • Flexible working/Hybrid
  • A diverse and supportive team
  • We have a disability friendly work environment

We particularly encourage applications from women and gender diverse people with disabilities, including those from diverse backgrounds including LGBTIQA+, First Nations and migrant and refugee backgrounds.

How to apply:

You can make your application here.

Please note that applications must only include:

  • Resume / CV
  • Response to key selection criteria
  • A sample of published writing
  • A 600-word briefing paper

Please refer to the Position Description for full instructions.

IMPORTANT: Only applicants who provide all the documents required will be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will need to be available for interviews on Monday 7 or Wednesday 9 July.

Any enquiries regarding the role, please contact Julie Kun on 9286 7817 or email Recruitment at [email protected] using the subject line: Policy Research Lead enquiry. Do not send applications to this email address.

How to submit your completed applications

When submitting documents such as your resume and selection criteria, please submit Word document versions and avoid including images. This will ensure all documents received are accessible. 

  1. Complete the online application form OR
  2. Send your application via post to: Recruitment, Women with Disabilities Victoria. PO Box 18314 Collins Street East, Victoria 8003

All submitted applications are secure and confidential.

If you need assistance or the application in an alternative format, please contact [email protected]

IMPORTANT: only applications which directly address the key selection criteria will be considered.