• Be involved in strengths-based community development with public housing residents in East Reservoir and East Preston.
• Join an organisation that is energetic, passionate, innovative, champions social justice and sustainability and has been working with the Darebin community for more than 30 years.
• Part-time 16 hours per week. Flexible work and not-for-profit salary packaging (such as up to $15,900 for everyday living expenses per FBT year) available.
• Contract to 30 June 2025.

the role

Are you an experienced, energetic community development professional who wants to do meaningful place-based work with public housing residents in East Preston and East Reservoir?

People living in these two neighbourhoods experience health and wellbeing inequalities, as measured by the SEIFA index and including food insecurity, fuel poverty, concerns about community and housing safety, social isolation, unmet physical and mental health needs and digital access and literacy. DIVRS already works with many public housing residents in these neighbourhoods through our emergency relief and community support program and our urban food program.

This is a 3.5 year project building on the existing place-based community development work by Darebin Council and many other local community organisations including DIVRS. You will facilitate strength-based community development with public housing residents and co-design, co-implement and co‑evaluate actions that respond to the well-being needs and rights of people.

You will collaborate with other locally based community organisations working in East Reservoir and East Preston and Darebin Council. This includes participating in regular meetings and forums, practical collaboration with the Housing Service of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (Preston) and developing and delivering initiatives.

Finally, you will develop a 3.5 year project plan and annual actions plans, with annual reporting against the plans and a final project report.

key responsibilities

Community development and engagement

• Deliver local accessible and effective outreach to people including door knocking, visits to local groups and engagement at community events.
• Use a person-centred, strengths-based approach to support people identify their strengths, explore options, build capacity and enable their fullest participation in goal setting, planning and decision-making.
• Establish effective relationships, develop trust and help a person feel safe to encourage discussion of issues and empower people to take action as is right for them.
• Develop and deliver inclusive and empowering processes for community decision-making.
• Work with public housing residents to develop and deliver at least two annual co-designed initiatives in each of East Preston and East Reservoir that respond to wellbeing priorities. These may include building social and community connection, supporting local community organising and climate justice.
• Manage, supervise and work with volunteers as needed to deliver events and initiatives.

Partnerships and working together

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with community agencies, services and partner organisations.
• Maintain effective communication among key program stakeholders, including participating in relevant external meetings and forums.
• Deliver initiatives with community-based organisations, government and other services as appropriate.

Reporting

• Develop a 3.5 year project plan and annual project action plans.
• Write and deliver annual reporting against the plans and a final report on project outcomes and recommendations for the future.

about you

• Tertiary qualifications in community development, community services or a related field.
• Substantial experience in strengths-based community development and community decision making processes including co-design, co implementation and co-evaluation of actions that respond to people’s needs.
• Excellent ability to work flexibly and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and strong relationship management, verbal communication and engagement skills.
• Experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects.
• Excellent written communication skills with report writing experience.
• Experience in community capacity building and ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
• Effective prioritisation, organisational and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement.
• Resonate with our values and bring kindness, a willingness to listen and positivity to how you work.
• Current driver’s licence and access to a vehicle.

working with us

You will be joining an organisation that is energetic, passionate, innovative and champions social justice and sustainability. We value all people from all walks of life. As a team, we co-create a culture of connection, communication, learning, respect and making time for joy in our day.

ABOUT DIVRS

DIVRS is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven organisation that delivers free services and programs to vulnerable populations in the City of Darebin. We connect people to opportunity, community and support. We reduce financial stress and social isolation. We increase access to community information and build capability. We promote health and well-being, inclusion and sustainability. We create opportunities for community participation. DIVRS offers a service that is free, confidential and impartial and recognises peoples’ right to make their own decisions.

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

Please call Christina DiPierdomenico, Executive Officer on 9480 8202 if you’d like to discuss this opportunity.

A position description is attached.