Position Overview

The Financial Counsellor will be part of the Beneficiaries Team within Bravery Trust and part of the integration of financial counselling support into Bravery Trust’s client service model. The team will deliver financial counselling casework to Beneficiaries ( Veterans ) who are in financial stress as a result of their injury/illness due to service, providing a thorough assessment of financial situations and to determine and provide short- and long-term responses to vulnerable Beneficiaries. This role works collaboratively as a member of a national team and within Bravery Trust’s multi-disciplinary model, working alongside the Beneficiaries team delivering intake, welfare, and referrals to other support services for our Beneficiaries. Bravery Trust provides high quality services to Beneficiaries in a culturally safe and appropriate manner within a trauma informed and multi-disciplinary framework. The role will involve undertaking direct client work.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide consistent Financial counselling, support and maintain a work environment that supports positive relationships with Beneficiaries (Veteran clients), colleagues and other partners
• Work collaboratively with the broader financial counselling sector and other services and agencies to build capacity, raise awareness about issues impacting our Beneficiaries and to develop effective measures to best meet the needs of Beneficiaries
• To undertake the role of a financial counsellor including assessment and referral, negotiation and advocacy with creditors
• To establish and maintain accurate client files in line with standards, privacy principles and agency procedures
• To adhere to Financial Counselling Australia Ethical guidelines when working with service users
• To actively participate in regular supervision, live supervision and team/agency meetings
• Provide support to applicants and Beneficiaries, over the telephone and by email, with a respectful, non- judgemental, inclusive attitude
• Work closely with the Beneficiaries Team and the Beneficiary Services Manager
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Social policy and Government legislation

Essential selection criteria

• Diploma in Financial counselling and at least 2 years’ experience preferable
• Accredited member of the Financial Counsellors Association of NSW/Australia
• High level communication and negotiation skills, including the demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and to represent Bravery Trust in various forums
• Excellent record in providing quality financial counselling to vulnerable clients and awareness of the financial counselling needs of Bravery Trust’s client group
• Preferably an understanding of the issues affecting Veterans and experience in providing culturally safe services to Veterans
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, with resilience and a client-focused approach
• An understanding of how trauma may impact Veterans seeking financial counselling support (or similar)
• Demonstrated administrative and computer skills working with Dynamics, Excel, Microsoft word, PowerPoint and outlook, or the capability of learning the systems
• Ability to work autonomously and be a flexible member of the team
• Ability to undertake complex telephone assessments, obtain accurate information and prioritise actions
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritise workload in a constantly changing and high-volume environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the community sector
• Passion for being part of a dynamic team with the ability to contribute to a positive organisational culture

Desirables

• An understanding of the complex challenges faced by Serving and Ex-Serving Defence members and their families
• Flexibility and availability to work out of standard hours, if required
• A willingness to partake in further professional development
• Completes necessary 20 hours professional learning to remain current with Australian Financial Counsellors Association