About the Diocese

The Diocese of Parramatta is home to more than 330,000 Catholics and is one of the fastest growing dioceses in Australia. The Diocese is made up of 46 parishes and 82 Catholic schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, and includes a number of agencies which assist the Bishop in the pastoral care of the community.

The Mission Enhancement Team (MET Parramatta) accompanies and supports all God’s people on their journey as disciples of Jesus Christ. Endeavouring to be a vibrant, authentic and dynamic group, MET Parramatta meets people where they are and responds to their needs discerned in a spirit of collaboration with a range of ministry expertise. Through a focused lens the team strives to be a reliable and credible witness of God’s love as we create a deeper well of outreach, formation and inclusion for the people of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The team focuses on Youth, Family, Marriage, Natural Fertility, Peace, Justice, Ecology, Pastoral Formation and Worship.

About the Role

The Diocese of Parramatta is seeking an additional member for the Peace, Justice and Ecology Team with MET Parramatta. The Peace, Justice and Ecology Facilitator (PJE Facilitator) will be responsible for selected focus areas of social justice and work alongside the Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator (PJE Coordinator) on projects, programs and events across this important ministry of the Diocese.

Responsibilities

• Support the PJE Coordinator in embedding the social teachings of the Church and the mission and goals of the Diocese of Parramatta in the exercise of the Peace, Justice and Ecology ministry;
• Lead a number of focus areas of the ministry that may include support and advocacy for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum, and social welfare concerns like homelessness, social housing, modern slavery, or domestic violence;
• Collaborate with the PJE Coordinator in providing a ‘ministry of presence’ by visiting and supporting parishes, schools and agencies as well as offering and responding to school and parish requests for formation opportunities, workshops and presentations;
• Co-develop innovative ways of engaging youth and young adults in the Peace, Justice and Ecology ministry, especially by providing opportunities to practise and reflect on faith in action;
• Disseminate information according to the Social Justice Calendar, advertise Peace, Justice and Ecology programs and events, and respond to the social issues of the day through research and writing in conjunction with the PJE Coordinator and the Chancery Communications team (including but not limited to management of PJE website content and newsletter mailout);
• Facilitate special projects and events that help promote and deepen awareness of Peace, Justice and Ecology issues;
• Support and assist the PJE Coordinator in launching, coordinating and implementing Caritas Australia’s annual Project Compassion campaign and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s annual Social Justice Statement in the Diocese of Parramatta;
• Network and collaborate with like-minded agencies to achieve common goals;
• Participate as a member of related committees and steering groups;
• Maintain PJE databases, internal files and folders, and minutes of any meetings;
• Perform other duties directed by the PJE Coordinator, including administrative support;
• Maintain on-going faith, Catholic Social Teaching, and community organising formation and professional development with manager supervision; and
• Collaborate with other ministries of MET Parramatta to promote capacity building, teamwork, unity, and dynamic facilitation and programs when required.

About you

To be the successful candidate you need to have:

• A tertiary qualification in a related field (at least at undergraduate level), e.g., social work, social or political science, social justice, social ethics and Catholic Social Teaching, social welfare, community development, education;
• Practical experience in a related field, e.g., social work, policy, advocacy, ministry, social welfare, community development, education – ideally in relation to Refugees and People Seeking Asylum and/or social welfare concerns like homelessness, social housing, modern slavery etc.;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Catholic Social Teaching;
• Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications; and
• A driver’s licence.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Your passion for social justice and faith in action;
• A commitment to the ethos and values of the Catholic Church;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Cultural competence;
• An independent work ethic, ability to take initiative and work with limited supervision;
• An ability to work constructively in a team environment;
• An ability to network and collaborate effectively with like-minded agencies and individuals;
• An ability to enable and empower others, and provide them with formation opportunities;
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills;
• Project management and strategic planning skills;
• An ability to plan and facilitate events;
• Creativity in planning and sharing your ideas with others;
• Good time management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks;
• A professional manner and presentation;
• An ability to operate with absolute discretion and to maintain confidentiality;
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends, as required; and
• A willingness to deepen your own formation.

If you would like more information, a copy of the full job description or to have a confidential chat, please email Ms. Deeanne Martin on parracatholicjobs@parracatholic.org using the subject line: Peace, Justice and Ecology Facilitator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

The successful applicant is expected to respect and uphold the ethos and teachings of the Catholic Church and the values of the Employer. The successful applicant will also be subject to a Working with Children Check and a National Criminal History Check.

Only candidates with the right to live and work in Australia should apply for this position.

No agency contact please. This position is being managed internally.

If you would like more information, a copy of the full job description or to have a confidential chat, please email Ms Deeanne Martin on parracatholicjobs@parracatholic.org using the subject line: Peace, Justice and Ecology Facilitator application via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.