If you are looking for a career where you can make a difference, work collaboratively with committed and passionate people and have real opportunities for professional development, then we encourage you to join our team.
Current positions available
Research Interns
About the role
The Research Team supports the organisation to provide an evidence base to develop new ideas and innovation. Our key role is to carry out research using a range of methodologies to develop the breadth of evidence needed to inform policy and practice around the issue of young people in aged care. Summer Foundation research is underpinned by three key principles: the engagement of end users; impact on policy, practice, and systems; and knowledge exchange and collaboration. We have the privilege of developing an evidence base that supports people to find the home that is right for them, which is often a truly life changing experience.
We are currently offering up to 2 paid internship positions over the 2021/22 summer period and as such we are looking for skilled individuals who are enthusiastic and interested in exploring the possibility of a PhD, or a data science career involving the analysis of health and disability data
This is an three month full time role over summer 2021/2022
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About you
Our ideal interns will possess the following:
- University level qualifications – eg. Bachelor of Psychology or Allied Health with honours or Bachelor of Data Science – interns in their final year of study will be considered
- Previous experience in collection, analysis and reporting of research data
- Sound analytical skills with an ability to communicate complex information clearly both verbally and in writing
- Proficiency in the use of software packages eg. Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive etc.
- Ability to effectively manage time and complete assigned deliverables in a timely manner
- Demonstrated analytical mind-set and meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to work autonomously and also within a collaborative team environment
Location
Melbourne or open to other states and territories.
How to apply
- Please click the ‘apply now’ button and upload your cover letter and CV followed by answering the key selection criteria questions
- To view full Position Description click here
- We will be shortlisting immediately so please do not hesitate to apply ASAP if you think you may be a suitable applicant for this role.
People living with disability are encouraged to apply. Lived Experience is valued by our organisation and looked upon favourably.
Summer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, we know that strength comes with diversity and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Senior Research Fellow
About the role
The Summer Foundation’s Research Team has an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced Senior Research Fellow to play a key role in achieving our vision. The Senior Research Fellow will lead the implementation of strategic and practical research projects within the Summer Foundation program of research and carry out activities to develop their research expertise relevant to this program.
This is an ongoing full time role (0.8 FTE negioatable)
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About you
We are looking for a highly organised and hardworking person who has the ability to work autonomously or with minimal supervision. As an integral member of the team, the Senior Research Fellow will work with a range of collaborators both nationally and/or internationally and with industry partners to progress the research program.
Senior Research Fellows will have an established track record of publications and experience over the last decade.
Our research aims to create systems change so the right person will have experience working collaboratively with adults with severe acquired disability.
Most importantly you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of people with disability and complex needs.
Some of the key responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Lead and/or contribute to writing up research findings for publication and dissemination
- Prepare research proposal submissions to external funding sources
- Engage with industry and community to ensure that all research results are communicated and adopted by industry, community and/or government
- Mentor and build the capacity of other research team members
- Develop limited amount of research related material for teaching or other purposes
- Pursue continuing professional development and foster culture of curiosity and learning in the research team
Location
Melbourne, Head Office located in Box Hill, Victoria.
How to apply
- Please click the ‘apply now’ button and upload your cover letter and CV followed by answering the key selection criteria questions
- To view full Position Description click here
- We will be shortlisting immediately so please do not hesitate to apply ASAP if you think you may be a suitable applicant for this role.
People living with disability are encouraged to apply. Lived Experience is valued by our organisation and looked upon favourably.
Summer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, we know that strength comes with diversity and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Research Fellow
About the role
The Summer Foundation’s Research Team has an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced Research Fellow to play a key role in achieving our vision. The Research Fellow will contribute to the implementation of strategic and practical research projects within the Summer Foundation program of research and carry out activities to develop their research expertise relevant to this program.
This is an ongoing full time role (0.8 FTE negioatable)
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About you
We are looking for an organised and hardworking person who has the ability to analyse and communicate complex information clearly. As an integral member of the team, the Research Fellow will work with a range of collaborators both nationally and/or internationally and with industry partners to progress the research program.
Research Fellows will have an emerging track record of publications and experience over the last 5 years.
Our research aims to create systems change so the right person will have experience working collaboratively with adults with severe acquired disability.
Most importantly you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of people with disability and complex needs.
Some of the key responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Contribute to writing up research findings for publication and dissemination
- Contribute to building relationships both locally and nationally and engage with industry and community to ensure that all research results are communicated and adopted by industry, community and/or government
- Involvement in continuing education for the professional or the community
- Contribute to a robust and ambitious research culture
- Co-supervise or, where appropriate, supervise Higher Degree by Research (HDR) postgraduate students as required
Location
Melbourne, Head Office located in Box Hill, Victoria.
How to apply
- Please click the ‘apply now’ button and upload your cover letter and CV followed by answering the key selection criteria questions
- To view full Position Description click here
- We will be shortlisting immediately so please do not hesitate to apply ASAP if you think you may be a suitable applicant for this role.
People living with disability are encouraged to apply. Lived Experience is valued by our organisation and looked upon favourably.
Summer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, we know that strength comes with diversity and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Strategic Advisor (x2)
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Government Relations and Policy, the Strategic Advisor is responsible for providing high quality and strategic written advice to influence and inform government policy and to contribute to Summer Foundation’s strategic goals. Ideally your lived experience of disability will contribute to the work we do, enabling the organisation to have meaningful engagements with people with disability and feed into the creation of solutions and responses. This role will road map, develop and maintain key stakeholder/government relationships; deliver articulate and well evidenced written advice; and frame issues, opportunities and solutions to provide influence.
This role forms an integral part of the Government Relations and Policy team, and will work with a high degree of autonomy to establish policy positions and undertake research.
Both roles are full-time (negotiable) positions on 2 year contracts.
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About you
To be considered for this role, you will be a proven policy adviser, advocate or applied researcher, with critical and strategic thinking capability. With expertise in social or health policy, you will have strong commitment to and knowledge of, the rights of people with a disability and are confident in your ability to build relationships within the sector.
As a clear and concise communicator, you can gather insights, unpack issues, draw conclusions, and are adaptable to changing environments. You are a strong change agent, with a clear ability to influence, collaborate and consolidate, turning policy into action. Formal Qualification in Public or Social Policy, Law, Social Work, Communication or Government Relations is desirable.
Location
Flexible, Head Office located in Box Hill, Victoria.
How to apply
- Please click the ‘apply now’ button and for a confidential discussion, please contact Ashley Wilkes on 0401 298 395 at Davidson Executive who is managing this recruitment process on behalf of the Summer Foundation
- To view the full Position Description click here for Strategic Advisor and click here for Lived Experience Strategic Advisor.
People living with disability are encouraged to apply. Lived Experience is valued by our organisation and looked upon favourably.
Summer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, we know that strength comes with diversity and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Engagement Coordinator – Housing Options
About the role
The Engagement Coordinator is responsible for building attendance at the workshops and webinars run by the Housing Options team, and supporting people who have attended our events with ongoing follow up as required.
You will work with external stakeholders, people with high and complex disability needs, family members, and others to ensure the community is aware of the events the Housing Options team is delivering. This will include building lists of relevant organisations and stakeholders and cold calling to encourage them to promote our events via their networks to reach people with disability and their supporters.
This is a 0.8 part-time role on a 12 month contract.
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About you
We are looking for an energetic and hard working person responsible for building attendance at workshops and webinars run by our Team. Excellent communication skills and reliability are key in this role. The right person will need to be able to confidently complete cold and warm calls to promote events, build lists of relevant organisations to contact, and above all, ensure the community is aware of the events the Team is delivering.
Most importantly, you are passionate about supporting people with disability to find the home that is just right. The ability to be organised, manage multiple stakeholders and communications at once and work at a high energy level is important. If you want to work in the disability sector but at a commercial sector pace – and get the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of many people with disability – then this is the place for you.
Location
Victoria, NSW or Queensland – with flexible home based options as agreed.
How to apply
- Please click the ‘apply now’ button and upload your cover letter and CV followed by answering the key selection criteria questions.
- To view full Position Description click here
- We will be shortlisting immediately so please do not hesitate to apply ASAP if you think you may be a suitable applicant for this role.
People living with disability are encouraged to apply. Lived Experience is valued by our organisation and looked upon favourably.
Summer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, we know that strength comes with diversity and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Coordinator – Enquiries and Customer Service
About the role
The Coordinator is responsible for managing incoming enquiries in relation to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) opportunities. The Coordinator will speak with those enquiring in order to identify people with disability who are SDA eligible and may apply for the SDA opportunities. The role reports to the Housing Engagement Lead and sits within the national engagement team.
The Coordinator may also be required to undertake different forms of engagement including phone calls, webinars, presentations, meetings and other as required within the engagement team. The Housing Enquiries Coordinator will become a subject matter expert on SDA (funding and housing) in order to support applicants.
This is a full time or 0.8 part time ongoing position.
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About you
We are looking for an enthusiastic, hard working and driven professional who will be responsible for managing the incoming enquiries for our Engagement Team. The right candidate will enjoy working within our Database every day, respond and act on enquiries, move people through their individual journeys and provide high level and on time customer service. This person will also put team success before the individual, and be resilient and vigorous in their effort!
Strong and sustained interpersonal skills are key in this role. The right person will need to enjoy communicating with people, as they will be the first point of contact for clients.
The daily use of our database will also need to become second nature as we have a high level of responsibility to both of our clients – the people living with disability and the providers we work with. Our data is important as it helps inform the whole sector – working within this database is a priority.
Most importantly, we need team members who are passionate about supporting people with disability to find the home that is just right. The ability to be organised, manage multiple stakeholders and communications at once and work at a high energy level is important. If you want to work in the disability sector but at a commercial sector pace – and get the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of many people with disability – then this is the place for you.
Location
Brisbane or Gold Coast – with flexible home based options as agreed.
How to apply
- Please click the ‘apply now’ button and upload your cover letter and CV followed by answering the key selection criteria questions.
- To view full Position Description click here
- We will be shortlisting immediately so please do not hesitate to apply ASAP if you think you may be a suitable applicant for this role.
People living with disability are encouraged to apply. Lived Experience is valued by our organisation and looked upon favourably.
Summer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, we know that strength comes with diversity and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Communications and Marketing Manager
About the role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Communications and Marketing Manager will form an integral member of the Summer Foundation team, supporting the organisation with their communications and marketing needs while identifying creative ways to engage with their key external stakeholder groups.
You will develop strategic fit for purpose annual communications and marketing strategies and plans and lead a team to support the organisation with all facets of communications and marketing including (but not limited to) digital media and social media, copy writing and editing, visual and digital design to consistently meet all communication needs and expectations, maintaining an exceptional standard of work which reflects the tone and values of the Summer Foundation.
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About you
To be considered for this enviable opportunity, you will be a proven strategic communications leader with demonstrated experience in internal and external communications, social and digital media and marketing while being adept at driving contemporary communication strategies in a community focused organisation.
You demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence; are resilient to changing circumstances and priorities and you are known for your exceptional interpersonal and engagement skills which enable you to forge collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with your stakeholder groups which may include (but not be limited to) internal peers and leaders; people with a disability; allied health professionals and government officials.
Staff leadership is a key strength – you are an empowering and inclusive leader who seeks to build a supportive culture of trust and professionalism and a high performance culture.
Relevant Tertiary Qualifications in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or similar relevant field is expected.
Location
This role is Melbourne based, with (restrictions permitting) a minimum of two office based days required per week.
The Summer Foundation provides flexible and supportive work practices and encourages and welcomes people with lived experience of disability to apply.
How to apply
Please click the ‘apply now’ button and upload your CV (note a covering letter is not required). For a confidential discussion, please contact Melanie Pecanek on 0408 898 734 at Davidson Executive who is managing this recruitment process on behalf of the Summer Foundation.
- To view the full Position Description click here
- For a confidential discussion, please contact Melanie Pecanek on 0408 898 734 at Davidson Executive who is managing this recruitment process on behalf of the Summer Foundation.
- Applications close 22 September