About the organisation:

Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative Ltd (DDACL) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) which is governed by a community elected Board of Directors. It is committed to the provision of a range of high-quality services which will foster and support positive and fulfilling lifestyles for individuals and families within our community. These services are delivered in a professional and efficient manner and in keeping with our culture, traditions, and heritage.

DDACL is a family friendly, flexible, supportive workplace that supports staff and encourages training and development.  This position provides a great opportunity to work with the Aboriginal community in southern metropolitan Melbourne.

The DDACL provide a range of services including Primary Health Care through Bunurong Aboriginal Health Service (BHS). 

Summary of Position:

DDACL is looking for an experienced and motivated Manager of Aboriginal Health Services to work in a cooperative and culturally appropriate manner that will contribute to the health and wellbeing of our clients and their families. 

The position may act for the Chief Executive Officer during short absences, and: 

• Provides essential support to the CEO, including sharing in the deputising and providing relief for the CEO in their absence.
• Ensures that all activities conducted by the DDACL meet legal and legislative requirements.
• Has responsibility for management of DDACL’s Aboriginal health programs which include Female Youth Program, Male Youth Program, Tackling Indigenous Smoking, Koori Maternity Services, Alcohol and other Drug Services, Mental Health Outreach Services, Integrated Care, and Family Centred Care.
• In collaboration with the CEO and the Executive Management Team, manage all new capital projects and liaise with appointed consultants ensuring they are managed effectively within agreed funding requirements and timeframes.

Leadership: 

• As part of the Executive Management Team (EMT) provide strategic and operational leadership, in collaboration with the EMT.
• Develop a sense of teamwork and organisational pride to lead the organisation in the delivery of optimal services for the community.
• Develop and implement a sustainable business model to grow the portfolio, including expanding access and increasing income/revenue.
• Oversee and monitor program delivery to meet the needs of the Aboriginal community.
• Ensure requirements of funding bodies, service agreements and contracts are met, including Performance Indicators, and keep informed of changes in the policy and funding environment.
• Provide leadership to staff by ensuring work activities are supervised and coordinated in a timely and effective manner and ensuring that their professional development and training needs are met.
• Ensure compliance with the program requirements and guidelines, accreditation standards and agreements/contracts.
• Take responsibility for management risks in portfolio area and contribute to risk management across the organisation.
• Promote DDACL to the community and support eligible community members to access services. 
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with clients, families and carers, staff and referrers to meet community and clients’ needs.
• Maintain, strengthen, and support linkages with other organisations and the community in general, both to improve co-operative and collaborative capacity, as well as enhancing the standing of DDACL within the community it serves.
• As a part of the Executive Management Team ensure appropriate procedures and processes are developed and maintained to provide the framework for the effective operation and sustainable functioning of the organisation.
• Ensure the Health and Safety and Equal Opportunity requirements of the organisation are observed in undertaking duties
• Other duties as may be reasonably requested by the CEO which are consistent with the classification and level of responsibility of a senior management position.

Financial Management: 

• As part of the EMT assist in the preparation of annual budgets, funding submissions and required reports.
• Ensure portfolio financial key performance indicators are monitored and met.
• Manage the program budget and individualised funding model as required requirements.
• Ensure any acquittal process and associated reports are provided to funding bodies in a timely and efficient manner.
• In collaboration with the EMT, ensure that all programs and activities occur in a fiscally responsible manner, in compliance with all relevant laws and guidelines, and that all monies expended occur in a diligent, appropriate, equitable and responsible manner.
• a range of internal and external forums and activities, where necessary.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Developing, coordinating, and evaluating a range of comprehensive primary health care and healthy lifestyle programs.
• Managing staff within Bunurong Aboriginal Health Service (primary health care) and other health programs.

Key Selection Criteria:

1. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to Victorian Aboriginal health, Aboriginal culture, and the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Control.
2. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Koori people and to handle cultural issues in a sensitive manner and demonstrated understanding of issues contributing to Aboriginal health outcomes.
3. Completion of a relevant course of study that would complement a position of this nature, and/or clearly demonstrable experience relevant to a position of this nature.
4. Experience in managing staff and an understanding of evidence based strategic direction.
5. Must be reliable, well organised, and self-motivated.
6. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients and co-workers.
7. Demonstrated ability to maintain client confidentiality.
8. Demonstrated high level computer skills: including Microsoft Office Suite, the ability to use patient information recall systems to analyse data and produce reports.
9. Strong organisational and program planning skills.
10. Demonstrated ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
11. An ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships characterised by co-operation, trust and mutual respect.
12. Demonstrated ability to prepare documents and reports e.g., government reports, incident reports and work reports.

Personal Attributes Required:

1. Commitment: To the organisation’s goals and objectives and willingness to work to achieve these goals. 
2. Empathy and Cultural Safety: Communicates well, diplomatic; Empathetic; Caring and relates to, and sees issues from the perspective of people from the local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community.
3. Teamwork: Cooperates and works well with others in the pursuit of team goal; Collaborates and shares information; Shows consideration; Concern and respect for others’ ideas; Accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others; Encourages resolution of conflict within a group; Focuses on the pursuit of best practice in service delivery; Able to develop strong working relationships with staff and external contacts.
4. Resilience: Perseveres to achieve goals; Copes effectively with setbacks and disappointments; Remains calm and in control under pressure; Accepts constructive criticism in an objective manner, without becoming defensive.
5. Reliable and Punctual: A high level of punctuality and reliability is required.

Other relevant information:

• A current unrestricted Victorian Driver’s Licence.
• A police check will be required to be undertaken before finalisation of appointment.
• The successful applicant will require a “working with children” check to be undertaken before finalisation of appointment.
• The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of full vaccination status.
• An initial 6-month probationary period will apply.
• All positions are subject to funding.
• A policy and procedure manual is available to view.
• All employees have the responsibility to anticipate hazards and reduce the potential for loss or danger, report all hazards in terms of the risk requirements within established policy and procedures to their supervisor thereby increasing the probability of a successful outcome and safer working environment. 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

If working for an Aboriginal not for profit organisation where you can make a real difference to the community and working with a supportive experienced team who are purpose driven and focused on continuous improvement sounds appealing, apply now!

DDACL is committed to building a culture that values diversity and includes the unique contributions of all people. We encourage applications from individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and identities, especially those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.