About Common Ground Project

Common Ground Project is a community farm and social enterprise located in Freshwater Creek, Victoria. It was founded in 2019 by The Mulberry Group, a community-minded and sustainability-focused hospitality group with venues across Victoria including Hazel, Dessous, Liminal and La Cantina.

As farmers and members of the local community, we recognise our role in changing the food system. We envision a more resilient and thriving regenerative farming and food ecosystem, where people have access and are connected to land, food, culture and community.

We work to connect the local community to food and farming through three core business areas:

1. Regenerative farming - growing and selling nutrient-rich food for the region
2. Education programs - school programs, community workshops and volunteering days
3. Training and employment programs - to support people facing disadvantage in the community

About our new Food Hub

Common Ground Project is thrilled to be partnering with VicHealth as part of their ‘Future Healthy Food Hubs’ initiative to expand our existing operations and vision. The premise for this funding recognises there are multiple and complex barriers that prevent children, young people and their families living in regional areas from accessing and enjoying healthy, environmentally sustainable, and culturally appropriate food.

Common Ground Food Hub will:

• Increase access to fresh, affordable, culturally appropriate food for our community
• Create an increased market for locally grown food
• Support local food producers and enterprises
• Increase opportunities for young people with diverse lived experience to engage in the food system, advocate for better local food systems and find meaningful employment in the sector
• Create opportunities for cultural exchange and celebration through food

The OPPORTUNITY

The Food Hub Coordinator is a new position, and you will have the opportunity to take a role in shaping the design, development and direction of Common Ground Food Hub. This will involve the establishment of the on-site market, including working with local producers and community growers to source nutritious food for the market and developing the market business model towards viability beyond the funding period (June 2025).

The role will lead a team of youth trainees and volunteers and work together with various parts of the organisation to facilitate broader community engagement activities and events. The role will expand work to investigate and develop the feasibility of additional programs, activities and enterprises at Common Ground Project.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Demonstrated experience in at least one of these areas: social enterprise development, project coordination, management in a retail or food related industry, food systems or food production
• Excellent business, customer service and interpersonal skills
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to build relationships with a diverse range of key partners, stakeholders, community groups and organisations
• Demonstrated proficiency using databases, data entry, Microsoft word and Excel skills
• Experience working with young people and in cross-cultural settings and a demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity, access and community participation
• Demonstrated capacity for resourcefulness and self-motivation and an ability to manage competing and complex work priorities

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• A competitive remuneration package
• In this position, you will have the opportunity to take a role in shaping the direction of Common Ground Food Hub
• Opportunities throughout the year to visit other small-scale farms, and build connections in our community
• A fun and flexible team environment - we’re innovative, customer-focused and our organisation moves quickly
• Training & development opportunities, and career progression opportunities as our organisation grows

The application process

Please review our full Position Description attached below before submitting your application.

To apply for this position, you need only apply via the "Apply Now" button.

We are an inclusive team and value diversity in all its forms. Women, LGBTQIA+ folks, anyone who identifies as Indigenous or any other racialised groups, those from ethnically diverse communities are encouraged to apply. In your role, we hope you will express yourself, inspire others and contribute to the dynamism of the Common Ground Project culture.