Eating Disorders Victoria is looking for passionate volunteers to support their Hub service that provides information, peer support and referrals to support Victorians and those supporting them to recover from eating disorders.

• EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Volunteer, weekly four-hour shift, minimum 12-month commitment
• REMUNERATION: None, volunteer position
• REPORTS TO: Volunteer Manager
• LIAISES WITH: EDV staff, volunteers and service users

ABOUT EDV

Our Mission

To assist all Victorians impacted by eating disorders to access the information, support and services they need throughout their journey, from discovery to recovery.

Our vision

Victorians affected by an eating disorder have timely access to the information, support and services that they need to inspire hope and ensure the earliest possible recovery.

Our Values

We embrace the following values to underpin our mission: Connection Courage Optimism Perseverance

Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) is the leading community organisation helping Victorians understand and recover from eating disorders. A trusted source of support since 1983, EDV delivers a broad range of free and low-cost community services that respond across the breadth of the eating disorder experience – from discovery to recovery.

Our services exist to:

• Guide Victorians to the services needed for timely, evidence-based care.
• Share with Victorians the skills developed by those who have experienced and recovered from eating disorders.
• Provide Victorians with innovative community programs that aren’t available elsewhere.
• Be a voice that guides Victorian stakeholders (health professionals, community leaders, decision makers) to the knowledge required to strengthen the broader system of care.

Our services are for individuals affected by eating disorders, as well as the families, communities and professionals that support them

EDV’s work is proudly informed by lived-experience, as well as the expertise of health professionals and evidence-based approaches. We are a strong voice for lived experience and actively advocate for our community at local and national level.

ROLE STATEMENT

Hub Volunteers participate in the direct provision of information, peer support and offer referral service options. It should be noted that the Hub is not a treatment service, a counselling service or one that provides professional/medical/nutritional advice. Service users include people with an eating disorder, families, partners and friends, community members and health professionals.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Primary

• Provide support, information and details of additional professional services to consumers accessing the Eating Disorder Hub via phone, email, Live Chat function or in person when drop ins are available at the EDV office.
• Statistical data entry associated with Hub enquiries.

Secondary

• Assist EDV with other administrative tasks as required.
• Support and resource other EDV activities (e.g., assisting at events & expos).

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Weekly availability for a half day or full day shift for 12 months.
• Availability for in person or online training on specified days.
• An understanding of eating disorders and related mental health issues.
• Understanding of the nature and purpose of support services in Victoria.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to modify own style to meet the consumer’s needs.
• Ability to relate to people in distress.
• High level of personal accountability.
• Experience working in a busy environment and in isolation (due to COVID-19 restrictions).
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a broader team.
• Ability to establish meaningful contact (empower & build rapport) with service users from diverse backgrounds.
• Desire to take responsibility for own learning.
• Ability to take direction and use feedback to develop own professional capabilities.
• Proficiency with internet, Outlook, and Microsoft Office suite.

Desirable

• Lived experience of an eating disorder and or other mental illness or as a carer of a loved one with an eating disorder and or other mental illness.
• Counselling experience/knowledge.
• Experience working in a professional environment.
• Experience working in a voluntary capacity.
• Knowledge of customer record management systems (Salesforce) and data entry.

CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Location: The position is based at the EDV office at the Magpies Community Centre, Level 2; corner Lulie & Abbot Streets, Abbotsford, VIC 3067. Please note there are current working from home arrangements due to COVID-19.

Employment conditions:

• Voluntary role, minimum 12-month commitment. Volunteers will be assigned a weekly shift (minimum 4 hours per week or maximum 7.5 hours per week).
• Subject to satisfactory Working with Children Check, National Police Check and completion of Conflict of Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Declaration.
• Completion of the internal training program, including an observation period.
• Probationary period will apply (3-months).
• In recognition of contribution to the organisation, EDV will provide each volunteer with a written reference after 12 months of continuous volunteering. EDV is also able to be a referee for tertiary program applications and paid employment.

other requirements:

Ethical requirements: All EDV staff are required to adhere to the EDV Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Core Values and guiding principles and relevant organisational policies, practices and guidelines.

Wellness criteria: EDV values the lived experience of volunteers, staff and board members in the organisation. For anyone who discloses a history of a mental illness, including eating disorders, we recommend a two-year recovery period and a ‘Declaration of Wellness’ to ensure volunteering in this environment does not cause undue distress.

Intellectual Property: All information that volunteers have access to, create, contribute to, review or are otherwise privy to remains the property of EDV. This includes information relating to all EDV programs, processes, internal operations and strategic initiatives.

application informaion

Applications to include a current resume, including contact details of two referees and a one page cover letter responding to the ‘Key Selection Criteria’.

Note there will be interviews in period 2-12 August and a compulsory training day for successful volunteers on Thursday 19 August.

For more information about this position please contact Ruth Green, Volunteer Manager – [email protected] using the subject line: Hub Volunteers - Voluntary enquiry via EthicalJobs or 1300 550 236.