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Advocacy and Participation Coordinator (Cornwall Disability Alliance)
Salary - £29,667 - £31,046
Reports to CEO, disAbility Cornwall (on behalf of the Cornwall Disability Alliance)
Duration Fixed term for 3 years, with potential for extension subject to funding.
Place of Work Office-based in Hayle and at locations across Cornwall with partner organisations. Flexible and remote working options are available.
Working Hours
37 hours per week:
- Monday to Thursday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
- Friday: 9.00am – 4.30pm
There is also the option of an 8.30am start.
Role Purpose
To represent the Cornwall Disability Alliance (CDA), ensuring its strategic vision is delivered and key priorities are achieved.
Working on behalf of Alliance members, the post-holder will amplify the voices of disabled people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Using evidence, lived experience and collaboration, they will influence policy, services and decision-making.
The role will lead co-production, engagement and advocacy activity across the Alliance. A key focus will be ensuring that findings from the Big Disability Survey lead to meaningful action and improved outcomes for disabled people.
The post-holder will work independently, build strong relationships, identify opportunities for change and drive activity forward. They will act as an ambassador for the Alliance, ensuring disabled people's experiences shape local priorities and services.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Representation
- Represent CDA at stakeholder meetings, strategic forums, partnership boards and media engagements.
- Deliver the CDA strategy, ensuring alignment with member priorities and findings from the Big Disability Survey.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with Alliance members, public bodies, service providers and community organisations.
- Identify opportunities to influence policy, practice and service development.
- Act as a trusted ambassador for the Alliance.
Advocacy and Influencing
- Use evidence, lived experience and community insight to influence policy, services and decision-making.
- Promote accessibility, inclusion and equality across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
- Develop position statements, consultation responses and policy briefings.
- Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Influence at least two local policies, services or initiatives each year.
Engagement and Co-production
- Lead co-production programmes and engagement activities across the Alliance.
- Organise consultations, focus groups and participation opportunities.
- Ensure disabled people are meaningfully involved in shaping priorities, services and solutions.
- Coordinate CDA meetings and Away Days, ensuring actions are followed through.
- Encourage collaboration by sharing information, resources and opportunities across Alliance members.
Big Disability Survey and Evidence
- Promote and communicate findings from the Big Disability Survey.
- Work with partners to ensure findings inform policy, service development and strategic planning.
- Produce accessible reports, presentations and briefings.
- Lead delivery of the follow-up Big Disability Survey in line with the project timetable.
- Monitor progress against recommendations and identify opportunities for further action.
Campaigns and Communications
- Plan and deliver campaigns and awareness-raising activities.
- Develop accessible communications and campaign materials.
- Act as a spokesperson for CDA when required.
- Raise the profile and influence of the Alliance through effective communications and engagement.
Funding and Reporting
- Manage allocated budgets and monitor expenditure.
- Identify and pursue funding and partnership opportunities.
- Secure at least one new funding opportunity annually from Year Two onwards.
- Prepare reports for funders, members and stakeholders demonstrating progress, impact and outcomes.
- Monitor delivery against agreed objectives.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge
- Understanding of disability rights, equality legislation, and the Social and Disability Justice models of disability.
- Understanding of co-production, participation and community engagement.
- Understanding of the barriers and inequalities experienced by disabled people.
- Knowledge of public services, local government, health systems or voluntary sector partnerships.
Essential Experience
- Advocacy, influencing, community engagement or policy-related work.
- Working with disabled people or other marginalised communities.
- Building and maintaining effective partnerships across organisations and sectors.
- Representing an organisation, community or project in meetings, forums or stakeholder groups.
- Leading projects, programmes, campaigns or engagement activities.
- Using evidence, consultation findings, research or lived experience to influence change.
- Producing reports, presentations, briefings or consultation responses.
Essential Skills
- Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of work.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Ability to analyse information, identify themes and develop practical recommendations.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops and engagement activities.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes.
- Strong report-writing and written communication skills.
- Ability to motivate and bring people together around shared goals.
Personal Attributes
- Commitment to equality, inclusion and disability rights.
- Proactive, self-motivated and solution-focused.
- Politically aware and able to work within complex stakeholder environments.
- Confident and resilient when representing the views of disabled people and Alliance members.
- Collaborative, approachable and relationship-focused.
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Desirable
- Lived experience of disability, a long-term health condition, neurodivergence or caring responsibilities.
- Experience of working within health, social care, local government or the voluntary sector.
- Experience of policy development, public affairs or strategic influencing.
- Experience of media engagement or public campaigning.
- Experience of grant writing or securing funding.
- Experience of survey design, data analysis or research.
- Experience of creating accessible communications and content.
- Experience of using digital engagement and consultation tools.
What Success Looks Like
The successful post-holder will:
- Strengthen the profile and influence of the Cornwall Disability Alliance.
- Build strong relationships with Alliance members and strategic partners.
- Ensure findings from the Big Disability Survey lead to meaningful action.
- Increase opportunities for disabled people to influence decisions that affect their lives.
- Deliver effective engagement, co-production and campaign activity.
- Secure positive changes to local policies, services and practice.
- Identify and develop opportunities that strengthen the Alliance and its impact.
About the Cornwall Disability Alliance
The Cornwall Disability Alliance (CDA) is a county-wide coalition of disabled people’s organisations and disability-focused charities.
Its members include disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Mid Cornwall Lifestyles, Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre, Cornwall Memory Café Network, iSight Cornwall, Hearing Loss Cornwall, Cornwall Mobility, Active8 and Bridges for Change.
Together, they work to represent the interests of disabled people, influence policy and service development, promote inclusion and equality, and drive positive change across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
For all employee benefits please see the careers page on our website.
How to apply:
Please apply via our secure online link.
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Complete the application form.
Interview dates: Arranged as suitable candidates are identified.
Successful candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK, two references, undergo a DBS check and a work health assessment.
Applicant Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring Form:
As an organisation we want to surpass the aims and commitments set out in our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. This includes following the appropriate equalities laws, including the Equality Act 2010, building an accurate picture of our workforce, monitoring our diversity and inclusion efforts, and striving to continuously improve. Completing the form is voluntary and anonymous. The information provided will be kept confidential and separate from the recruitment selection process. The information is only used for monitoring purposes.
Please copy and paste the link below into your browser if you would like to complete the Applicant Equity Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring Form:
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Closing date: Friday 26th June
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £29,667.00-£31,046.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hayle (Cornwall)
