Director, Disability Innovation Institute

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Director, Disability Innovation Institute. Terms and conditions vacancy

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

• Academic leadership role in interdisciplinary disability research, education and knowledge exchange
• Provide direction and operational leadership to newly established Institute
• Suit candidate with lived experience of disability
• Location- UNSW Campus, Kensington Sydney Australia 

Help address the global challenges of participation and leadership for people who identify as having a disability.  

• Fixed-Term contract
• Kensington Campus
• Level D/E

 The Organisation

UNSW is one of the world’s leading universities and is known to be Australia’s powerhouse of cutting-edge research, teaching, innovation and creativity. UNSW was established in 1949 to teach and conduct research in the scientific, technological and professional disciplines, and with its current, broader disciplinary base, it remains committed to making a difference through pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens for career success. UNSW is currently implementing a ten-year strategy to 2025 and our ambition for the next decade is nothing less than to establish UNSW as Australia’s global university.

The Disability Innovation Institute is an important UNSW Strategy 2025 initiative to position UNSW at the forefront of international disability scholarship. The DIIU will provide a unique connection between UNSW scholars, community, industry, services, government and practitioners to fully utilise the creativity and innovation stimulated by the experiences of disability and transform the lives of people with disability. By rapidly expanding our interdisciplinary scholarship within a knowledge exchange approach, the Institute aims to address the current global challenges to the participation and leadership of people with disability in all aspects of contemporary society.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Dean, UNSW Arts and Social Science you will lead the interdisciplinary Institute as a distinctive whole of university initiative. The major focus is on the development of a robust strategic direction and initial operational programs that will capitalise on UNSW’s unique strengths and establish DIIU as an innovative and world leading model for inclusive research, education and knowledge exchange. Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic direction, leadership and raise the public profile of the Institute
• Internal and external stakeholder management, and promote collaboration
• Operational and budget management, ensuring the on-going sustainability of DIIU

 About the successful applicant

You are a world-class academic in interdisciplinary disability related research or a discipline with disability application and can demonstrate your collaborative leadership style and record of achievement in winning competitive research grants, and support from government and NGO’s/ industry.

Responsibilities 

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Lead the DIIU and inspire and promote disability related interdisciplinary and inclusive scholarship across UNSW and the wider community.

• Strategically plan, manage and direct the activities of DIIU to ensure all its programs and services are appropriate, effective and sustainable in meeting agreed objectives and benefits.

• Develop, recommend and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for DIIU in the context of UNSW 2025 to establish the services to be provided and the performance to be achieved.

• Direct the delivery of DIIU services and operations including research, education and knowledge exchange in accordance with agreed plans and budgets and to achieve maximum benefit to stakeholders.

• Lead major interdisciplinary research, education and knowledge exchange projects in accordance with agreed plans and budgets.

• Identify, pursue and coordinate opportunities for disability innovation and whole of university initiatives in the context of disability related scholarship at UNSW

• Represent UNSW and develop and maintain effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including scholars, disability organisations, government, industry, benefactors and members of the community.

• Promote a culture that values inclusion and ensure a sound framework is in place to ensure authentic participation of people with disability in all aspects of the Institute’s operations.

• Manage the performance of DIIU staff and provide guidance and support to assist in the achievement of their development objectives.

• Report on a regular basis to the Dean and provide early advice of any emerging issues or risks likely to impact DIIU’s operations and / or be of particular concern to the UNSW Executive or other key stakeholders.

• Ensure that DIIU complies with all UNSW policy and reporting requirements, all activities are conducted within agreed plans and budgets and accurate management information is available to effectively monitor the performance of all activities. 

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description (see below) in your application. Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

 Director_DIIU_PD_Position_Description.pdf

Steve Lalic Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: [email protected]

Applications close: 12th August 11.00pm

Find out more about working at UNSW at your Faculty/Division web address

UNSW is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity