About VANISH

VANISH is a small, not-for-profit organisation providing search, information and support services for people separated from their family of origin or child/children.

Our service users include:

• Adults affected by adoption.
• Adults affected by state wardship, foster care or institutionalisation as children.
• Adults affected by fertility treatments involving donors.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Committee of Management, the CEO plays a critical role in achieving VANISH’s vision, mission and goals and amplifying the voices and rights of people with lived experience of adoption, childhood institutions and donor conception.

The successful applicant will:

• Be a dynamic leader with excellent policy and advocacy experience
• Have a demonstrated passion for ensuring the delivery of person-centred, evidence-based services
• Have a background in social work, mental health, community welfare or in leading not-for-profit organisations.

FTE = 0.9, Ongoing position.

Selection Criteria

• A tertiary qualification or demonstrated equivalent expertise in a relevant human service discipline such as social work, psychology and/or community work.
• Demonstrated practice experience, knowledge and expertise working in the adoption, donor conception and/or out of home care sectors.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organisational and financial management skills
• Demonstrated ability to engage with, and communicate effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders, and advocate on behalf of members.
• Excellent time management skills, demonstrating a capacity to organise, prioritise, plan, delegate and deliver.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and train team members, to establish priorities, provide a high level of effective team management and to promote a positive and inclusive work culture.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide overall organisational leadership -- a leader who will work with the Committee of Management to help shape and maintain the vision, focus and motivation of VANISH.
• Demonstrated expertise in writing reports and tenders and negotiating with governments.
• Commitment to the purpose and values of VANISH.
• Relevant lived experience is not essential but would be well regarded.

Additional INFORMATION

• This position is funded through contracts with the Victorian Government, and continuation at the current level is therefore dependent on the ongoing availability of this funding.
• Employees must consent to a National Criminal History check; confirmation of employment with VANISH is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the National Criminal History check.
• VANISH is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people with a disability and from diverse backgrounds to apply.
• VANISH acknowledges and respects the privacy of individuals and handles personal information in compliance with Australian Privacy Principles.
• Salary packaging up to $15900 is available
• A mix of office-based and Working from Home arrangements is available.
• Attendance is required at monthly Committee of Management meetings held in the evening, generally online but occasionally at North Melbourne. Throughout the year occasional working groups, support groups, strategic planning work and events will occur on evenings and weekends.

A position description is attached.