The Role

The Program Officer (Candidate Support) will work directly with Para athletes and people with disability (PWD) to prepare, support, and guide them into meaningful employment with inclusive employers.

This role involves one-on-one coaching, coordinating readiness and skills development sessions, and working collaboratively with network partners such as ASC CPRN, AW&E, recruiters, disability employment services, and the Associations such as the Australian Disability Network.

This is a part-time, fixed-term contract until 30 January 2027. This role until may require occasional morning, evening and/or weekend work. This role also offers learning and professional development tailored to the candidate’s future career goals.

The Person

The role is well-suited to a Paralympian (active or retired), or an individual with lived experience in elite or disability sport, who brings authenticity, empathy, and credibility when engaging with athletes and the broader community. They are passionate about inclusion and empowering others (particularly PWD and Para athletes) and keen to collaborate with athletes, member organisations, sponsors, government, and corporate partners.

They are both collaborative and able to work independently, inclusive and values-driven, they are trustworthy and they have a desire to amplify the Paralympic movement’s impact.

Responsibilities

• Engage directly with Para athletes and PWD to understand their skills, career goals, and support needs.
• Deliver job-readiness activities including interview preparation, resume development, and workplace confidence sessions.
• Coordinate training and peer mentoring activities, including working with ASC CPRN and AWE team to support candidates.
• Liaise with employment service providers and network partners to align candidate supports and potential funding pathways.
• Match candidates to appropriate job opportunities and monitor progress through placement and onboarding.
• Provide follow-up support to ensure successful job retention and workplace inclusion.
• Capture and report employment outcomes, success stories, and program impact.
• Manage Para athlete profile database to collect, enrich and update relevant information.
• Support co-design and evaluation activities to ensure the program continues to meet the needs of people with disability.

Key Competencies

• Experience or interest in employment services, vocational rehabilitation, or workforce participation programs.
• Strong understanding of barriers and enablers for people with disability in employment contexts.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills, with a person-centred approach.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple agencies, including disability services, employers, and sporting bodies.
• Commitment to the inclusion and empowerment of people with disability

Education and Training

• Current Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain).
• Lived experience of disability and/or experience working with athletes or people transitioning careers is desirable.
• Knowledge of relevant programs and supports (e.g. JobAccess, NDIS Employment pathways, DES)

Our commitment

At Paralympics Australia, we prioritise the continuous development of our team members, nurturing leadership qualities. As a valued member of the PA team, you will receive support and opportunities for growth through access to ongoing professional development in leadership.

Paralympics Australia is an equal opportunities employer dedicated to fostering diversity and establishing an inclusive workplace for all employees. We welcome applicants with lived experiences and encourage you to reach out if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the application and recruitment process. Please contact people@paralympic.org.au for assistance.