• Location: Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
• Reports to: Crisis and Counsellor Coordinator
• Position Type: Full-time - Fixed Term
• SCHADS Level: 5

CRCC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, race, religion, sexuality, family responsibilities, gender identity, cultural background or disability. Due to the nature of the role CRCC is seeking a female identifying person for this position.

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) is a non-government, not for profit organisation working to eliminate sexual violence against adults and children of all genders. CRCC provides free, professional and confidential counselling and support for victim survivors of sexual violence, and their families, who have experienced any form of sexual violence recently or in the past.

CRCC is seeking a Counsellor Advocate who is experienced in providing counselling, information, referral, advocacy and support services to adults and children of all genders, and their supporters. The Counsellor Advocate will meet with CRCC clients and provide them with face to face, confidential, trauma informed services that are people focused. The Counsellor Advocate will represent CRCC in meetings, forums and events, such as community education activities particularly in areas such as trauma, therapeutic frameworks, clinical counselling and victim response.

Key Responsibilities:

Decision Making and Accountability

Applies professional knowledge and experience to achieve positive client outcomes within CRCC’s philosophy, values and frameworks.

• Manages individual counselling approaches, workload priorities and workflow within areas of responsibility.

• Works under general direction from senior employees and reports to a Program Coordinator.

Leadership

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with external agencies and collaborate to support client and organisational outcomes.
• Represent CRCC in meetings, forums, events and community education activities, particularly in trauma, therapeutic frameworks, clinical counselling and victim response.
• Contribute to projects, team meetings and organisational activities, including planning, coordination and administration.

• Maintain professional qualifications and participate in clinical supervision.

Crisis and Counselling Services

• Undertake initial onboarding and training within the Crisis Team as negotiated with the Supervisor.
• Provide crisis counselling, advocacy, referral and support services to clients and their supporters.
• Develop and monitor client case plans, attend case conferences and provide consultation and debriefing relating to client work.
• Attend crisis call outs and support clients in navigating the criminal justice system and other legal or administrative processes.

• Contribute to the planning and delivery of education and training on sexual violence–related topics for stakeholders, as required.

Governance

• Write reports for external agencies, such as reports for the Family Court, Criminal Courts, Immigration, Housing, Centrelink and victim impact statements.

• Carry out other administrative and ad hoc tasks as directed.

All staff requirements

Apply high-level knowledge and skills to achieve organisational and team outcomes in line with CRCC policies, procedures and work practices.

• Exercise initiative, judgement and professionalism while working respectfully with diversity and difference.
• Demonstrate resilience, self-awareness and commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Build positive working relationships with clients, staff and stakeholders using effective interpersonal skills.

• Monitor and interpret relevant legislation, regulations and other documentation applicable to the role and organisation.

Key Performance Indicators

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records and service provision data to support effective service delivery and continuous improvement.
• Support positive therapeutic outcomes for clients in line with their goals.
• Identify and communicate emerging trends and issues to the management team to inform advocacy and service responses.

• Plan, develop and deliver education and training activities with positive stakeholder feedback.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of sexual violence within a feminist framework.
• Experience providing counselling, advocacy, referral and support services to people impacted by interpersonal violence.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience or ability to develop and deliver training and build effective partnerships with external organisations.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to foster respectful and collaborative relationships.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, email and information databases.
• Current right to work in Australia.

Desirable Requirements

Previous experience working in an advocacy or service delivery organisation

Current knowledge and experience of the ACT community services and women’s services in the ACT.

Qualifications

A Bachelor or master’s in social work, psychology or counselling with experience in a relevant field.

next steps

To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

For further information please contact Human Resources Manager, Jana Turk on [email protected] using the subject line: Counsellor Advocates enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please do not send applications directly to HR Manager.