About the Organisation

Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS) is a non-profit community-based organisation committed to legal and social justice and the protection and expansion of rights, fairness, and wellbeing in the NT.

DCLS especially works with people who are vulnerable or marginalised.

About the Opportunity

DCLS has an exciting and rewarding role for a full-time (37.5 hours per week) or part-time (30 hours per week) Financial Counsellor to join the team in Darwin, NT.

Reporting to the Principal Solicitor, your main responsibility will be to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals within the Northern Territory Community.

Some of your core duties will include (but are not limited to):

• Provide high level financial counselling assistance to DCLS’ clients, with particular focus on tenants in private rentals who are experiencing financial distress.
• Assist clients to resolve their personal financial difficulties and access other sources of support and assistance, including internal referrals within the legal service.
• Participate in interagency networks and build/maintain relationships with referring agencies, key organisations, community leaders and local people relevant to the area.
• Maintain strong professional links and cooperation with local and national financial counselling peak bodies and relevant regulators.
• Develop and facilitate Financial Literacy workshops for vulnerable people on various topics.
• Work with other staff to identify gaps, priorities and emerging needs in community information and education related to money and financial issues, and co-deliver programs and initiatives which respond to those needs.
• Participate in identifying law reform priorities relating to money and financial issues, and participate in strategies to address these

About You

Essential

• Current professional qualification as a financial counsellor eligible to practice in the Northern Territory, and relevant professional experience in this or a closely related field.
• Established interpersonal communication skills, including communicating with clients with empathy and reflecting constructively on DCLS practice with others.
• Sound written skills, including the ability to explain complicated financial terminology in plain language.
• Sound organisational skills and ability to manage workload, competing demands, meet deadlines and to work effectively as part of a team.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice.
• Understanding of economic and social issues affecting vulnerable people in the Northern Territory, particularly remote regions.
• Personal resilience, adaptability and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery.
• Current NT Driver’s License, NT Ochre Card & Criminal History check (or the ability to obtain).

Desirable

• Experience in a community-based organisation in a remote setting.
• Experience in developing and delivering financial education programs.
• Experience working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) / Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

About the Benefits

As our Financial Counsellor, you will receive an attractive salary in line with SCHADS Award level 5, starting at $93,000 plus super, based on skills and experience, and great benefits!

In addition, you will have access to great benefits including:

• Salary sacrificing of up to $15,900 annually.
• 6 weeks annual leave, including leave loading on all 6 weeks, and 15 days of personal leave.
• Have the opportunity to join our social club and do fun activities with people from all areas of our organisation.
• Flexible working opportunities available.
• Ongoing training and professional development.

You will be joining a close-knit team of professionals who are extremely passionate and dedicated to delivering high-quality and effective legal advice and aged and disability services to the community.

For more information, visit our website or contact 08 8982 1111.

A position description is attached.