Seniors Rights Service (SRS) is the leading community-based provider of legal services, aged care advocacy and rights information to seniors in NSW. The office is in Surry Hills although we are currently working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions and we envisage flexible work arrangements including working remotely for part of the week will continue. The Aboriginal Liaison Officer position is part of the legal team that provides free legal advice and assistance to older people, prioritising those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

This is a specialist, non-legal role predominantly focussing on liaising and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people who need our advice and support. Community engagement and empowering people through knowledge is also part of the role.

SRS Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is centred on engaging with Aboriginal Communities and improving access to our services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seniors. SRS has also developed a cultural protocols policy to underline all our work and engagement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We have two Aboriginal Women on our Board, Wendy Morgan from the Dyiringanj People of Wallaga Lake that forms part of the Yuin Nation on the Far South and Barbara O’Neil a Dunghutti woman born on the Gadigal Country of the Eora Nation. We also currently have two Aboriginal advocates, one based in Broken Hill and one in Nowra.

The Role

Salary and Hours SCHCADS Level 5.2 ($41.51 per hour for a 35 hour week) 3 days per week

This is a 12-month position based on a specific grant for this purpose. However, should funding be extended we would be seeking to extend the position.

Accountability and Supervision

• The Aboriginal Liaison Officer reports to the Manager Legal Services.

Primary Objective

• Initiate and facilitate connections with the Aboriginal community across NSW to encourage engagement with Seniors Rights Service legal services.
• Advise Seniors Rights Service on how best to deliver culturally appropriate legal services to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• Provide relevant and accessible information about Seniors Rights Service, including the social support and aged care advocacy service to Aboriginal communities and organisations.
• Help to develop appropriate legal information resources and provide information to older Aboriginal people within the community to help them understand their legal rights and how to assert them.

Performance Areas

• Community Engagement
• Community Education and Information

Performance Area 1 – Community Engagement

• Develop a culturally appropriate engagement strategy that builds trust and understanding between the Aboriginal communities around NSW and our legal service.
• Increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using our legal service as a direct result of the engagement strategies put in place.

• Make contacts with and facilitate engagement with Aboriginal organisations and represent the services of Seniors Rights Service.

• Develop and implement formal community partnerships to assist us to reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seniors.

Performance Area 2 - Community Legal Education and Information

• Produce a number of targeted resources on the issue of financial abuse and COVID-19 and the stresses being placed on older Aboriginal people by their families at this time.
• Contribute to the development of legal education resources ensuring they are accessible and relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Travel within NSW to foster relationships with Aboriginal Communities and present community information sessions.
• Identify gaps in community information needs and develop legal resources working with SRS legal officers, in response that are appropriate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Essential Selection Criteria

1. Strongly developed contacts with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or the ability to develop these.
2. The ability to communicate and build strong working relationships with clients and internal and external stakeholders.
3. Knowledge of the areas of law of most relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seniors or the ability to acquire such knowledge, including:
   
   • Wills and estates, including family provision claims
   • Planning ahead – enduring guardian, enduring power of attorney, advance care directives
   • Domestic or family violence and AVO matters
   • Social Security law and/or Aged Care law
   • Financial abuse
4. Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to explain information in a clear and concise way.
5. Ability to meet deadlines and to manage a diverse workload.
6. Ability to work as a member of a team.

Desirable Selection Criteria

1. Experience working in a community legal centre.
2. Drivers license (all travel costs will be covered by SRS).
3. Ability to work from home if not based in Sydney.

A position description is attached.