• Location: Fitzroy North 3068
• Salary: Level 5 SCHADS Award 2010
• Tenure: Fixed Term 12-month contract
• Hours of employment: Up to 38 hours per week (flexible work hrs)
• Conditions of employment: In accordance with SCHADS Award 2010

ORGANISATION INFORMATON

The Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights (AMWCHR) is an organisation of Muslim women working to advance the rights and status of Muslim women in Australia. We are a non-religious organisation reflecting the sectarian, cultural and linguistic diversity within the Muslim community.

We work for the rights of women by:

• Supporting women’s self-determination
• Bringing a human rights approach to bear on issues of inequality and disadvantage
• Working with individuals, the community, and government to advocate for equality within the Australian context.

We aim to inspire positive action by others and aspire to continuously enhance the quality, impact and effectiveness of our work.

The AMWCHR community portfolio works with individuals, groups and service providers in the following areas:

• Casework, referrals, secondary consultation and outreach
• Advocacy
• Community-based programs and service delivery
• Capacity building
• Leadership development
• Policy development
• Partnership projects

The AMWCHR corporate portfolio undertakes:

• Research
• Training development and delivery
• Publications
• Consultancy services

POSITION SUMMARY

The Specialist Family Violence Caseworker works within a team responsible for the delivery, review and development of AMWCHR’s family violence casework services. Within Family Violence casework, we work through issues pertinent to our diverse community such as the intersection of religion and culture and how these aspects can be mobilised to control and abuse women and their children.

AMWCHR supports women from diverse ethnic, language, cultural and sectarian groups, making for a rich exploration of social and identity-based constructs as well as complex case management.

The nature of the specialist FV supports is to work alongside Muslim women as they navigate the mainstream system designed to respond to FV issues. This includes risk assessments, safety planning, case planning, engaging with police and court processes, advocacy work to support client access to housing, financial and material aid, mental health and health services, working for positive outcomes with child protection and addressing client wellbeing. Our work is delivered over the phone, online and face to face.

This role requires high-level knowledge around human rights and issues relevant to Muslim women, particularly within the contexts of family violence, early and forced marriage, religious divorce, migration and trauma. The ability to successfully manage a range of complexities and competing demands are essential to this role.

AMWCHR offers regular supervision, reflective practice and a collaborative workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

REPORTING

Reports to: Casework Team Leader

Manages: N/A

Key liaison: Casework Team Leader, Client Services Manager, Casework Team, Chief Operations Officer, CEO.

External Liaisons: Community members, community organisations, service providers, government agencies, stakeholders and funding bodies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct risk assessments and safety planning.
• Provide advocacy, support and referrals.
• Confidently support clients in reporting, police engagement, court engagement
• Advocate and coordinate with relevant services to access. accommodation /housing, income security, financial counselling and supports, access to education and childcare for children, migration matters, legal matters, health concerns, mental health concerns and social isolation.
• Take a lead in developing relationships with Muslim women’s community networks and relevant service providers.
• Support and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of casework services as well as prevention work and advocacy/campaign work.
• Promote and utilise an evidence-based approach to FV casework support.
• Work within a practice framework that is compatible with a strengths-based approach.
• Work effectively and collaboratively as an integral member of the AMWCHR organisation
• Represent AMWCHR in relevant forums and networks.
• Provide secondary consultation to service providers as appropriate.
• Assist in preparing progress reports for funding bodies as required.
• Contribute to strategic planning and periodic organisational reviews against set plans.
• Contribute to the development of key AMWCHR publications and resources.
• Model AMWCHR’s values and associated behaviours within the Centre and across external liaisons.
• Maintain positive collegiate relationships with management and colleagues, reporting relevant issues and contributing to a professional and harmonious workplace.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

The recruiting panel will need to feel confident that the successful candidate will understand AMWCHR values, integrate these values into their work and demonstrate behaviours that reflect these values.

Highly Desirable

• Ability to work successfully in a changing environment, accept new challenges and continually strive for improvement.
• Ability to speak a language other than English relevant to recently arrived Muslim women.
• Experience working within a Human Rights framework.
• Understanding and experience of migration and settlement issues.
• Understanding of Muslim culture and diversity.
• Understanding of the political representation of Muslim women within the Muslim community as well as broader social contexts.
• Knowledge of women’s support agencies and systems across Victoria.
• Knowledge of client data and management information systems.
• Understanding of an intersectionality framework, community development theory, family violence theories, reflective practice.
• Experience in program evaluation and qualitative and practice-based research methodologies.

Mandatory Key Selection Criteria: (applicants must respond to this KSC)

1. Significant experience and demonstrated ability to independently provide effective case management for family violence victim/survivors.
2. Demonstrated ability to identify, assess risk and safety issues including those unique to Muslim women.
3. Understanding of systemic disadvantage and discrimination.
4. Understanding of the human rights framework to approach intersectional issues Muslim women may experience.
5. Demonstrated experience in working with Muslim women, their families and communities
6. Degree/Diploma in social work, psychology or similar qualification coupled with extensive experience.
7. Excellent problem-solving skills demonstrating resourcefulness and value-adding skills.
8. Well-developed communication skills, including written and verbal presentation skills, diplomatic and effective liaison and interpersonal skills.
9. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and across the organisation.
10. Excellent time management skills and the ability to work independently.
11. Current Drivers Licence, Working with Children Check and police check.

A position description is attached.