Summary

This exciting new community development position will work alongside Committee and Members of Vietnamese Families with Special Needs (VFSN) to further strengthen the organisation’s capacity in meeting the needs Vietnamese people living with disability in Melbourne’s west.

The role forms an integral part of a larger capacity building Project being undertaken by Extended Families Australia and VFSN across 2020-2022. Funded by the NDIS-ILC program, the Project builds upon key outcomes achieved in a successful earlier collaboration in 2019-2020.

Based in our Coburg office and in Footscray, the position will work directly with the VFSN Committee of Management to implement its strategic plan, strengthen governance and build membership.

Additionally the position will provide support to the Tham Gia (TG) School Holiday Program for Vietnamese children with disabilities also to be implemented under the 2020-22 Project. This program will be delivered by TG staff who will provide community inclusion activities to groups of children/youth each school holiday period.

This is a part-time contract position (15 hours/week) running over 18 months suited to an applicant with disability services, business, project management or community development experience.

Scope exists for additional work hours to be added in relation to TG-program involvement.

Extended Families Australia and VFSN

Community development and community inclusion staff at Extended Families support people with a disability, their families and partner associations to build individual and organisational capacities through skills development and service innovation that strengthens the connections people have between themselves and the communities in which they live.

Extended Families has an excellent reputation in disability service provision and innovation, quality practice and provides a highly supportive and progressive team environment in which to work. Our focus is on helping children and young adults with disability of diverse cultural backgrounds to live in a society where they experience full community inclusion and participation and where families are strong, resilient and connected. The VFSN is a parent led, volunteer based Incorporated Association providing parent and community inclusion support to Vietnamese Community living with disability in Western Melbourne. The organisation is focused on supporting members to live with respect and dignity, to maximising their well-being and helping them to reach their individual goals and potential.

Based in our Coburg office and in Footscray, the VFSN Project Officer will work directly with the VFSN Committee of Management, Association Members and the Project Executive Management Team.

The role is ideally suited to is suited to an applicant with disability services, project management or community development experience and who is able to speak Vietnamese.

WHO

The VFSN Project Officer will have

• A strong knowledge of the disability and community service sector with insight into the opportunities and connections available (disability specific and mainstream) that support inclusion
• An understanding of project management and / or community development and previous professional experience in disability services
• Knowledge and experience in working with people and organisations to empower and build capacity
• An understanding of and a commitment to social justice principles and the human rights of people with a disability
• Awareness of the Vietnamese culture and ability to speak Vietnamese
• Highly developed interpersonal and verbal communication skills and the ability to build and maintain strong community connections and relationships
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and within teams
• Capacity to effectively support quality, risk and safety management systems that build organisational capacity
• An understanding of the complex interactions between social and economic factors, the environment and personal circumstances that impact on an individual’s health and well-being
• Demonstrated ability to complete administrative tasks in an organised manner, the ability to manage time effectively and prioritise tasks. Strong computer skill
• Awareness of NDIS and ILC planning processes and approaches to funding of supports

We are looking for a person with qualifications in Community Development, Community Service Management, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Welfare and / or with relevant service or business development experience.. This is a part time contract position (15 hours per week) that will run across 19 months commencing January 2021 and concluding August 2022.

The successful applicant will have a current Victoria Driver’s license, access to an adequately insured car and will be able to meet all mandatory screening requirements for workers engaged in NDIS funded services.

WHAT

The VFSN Project Officer position follows on from and seeks to further build upon the outcomes achieved in the 2019-2020 capacity building project successfully implemented by Extended Families and the VFSN. Specifically, the Project Officer will work with the VFSN Committee of Management to develop and implement governance and new service activities that will support the VFSN in achieving goals identified in its 2020-22 Strategic Plan.

The Project Officer will

• Participate and provide input into overall Project planning and development in collaboration with the Project Executive Management Team
• Promote the Project and the VFSN within the wider community and with other disability service providers and organisations who support or are seeking to support Vietnamese families living with disability
• Assist the VFSN to implement the organisation’s 2020-22 strategic plan and establish a framework of sub-committees dedicated to achieving strategic goals relating to organisational governance, website management and marketing, financial sustainability, quality assurance, policy and new service development

• Assist the VFSN to recruit, screen and train skilled volunteers to participate in the above subcommittees

• Assist the VFSN to develop and implement governance systems and efficiencies that will enhance communication with and between existing members and help attract new members
• Support the VFSN COM to gain access to resources that will further strengthen its governance skills and expertise
• Support VFSN members by providing information about additional community inclusion supports that may be helpful and accessible to them including formal and informal, mainstream and community, as well as NDIS funded supports.
• Build networks and cooperative relationships with Extended Families program staff, key disability services and other relevant agencies to create strategic relationships and to identify new support options
• Support the Tham Gia (TG) Program Planner in leading the TG team and working with participants and families to assess their inclusion support needs and form individual Participation Plans that will feed into and guide development and implementation of school holiday programs

Orientation, training and ongoing support will be provided to the Project Officer by the VFSN President and the Project Management Executive Team.

WHERE

You will be based in the Extended Families office in Coburg, attend meetings in Footscray and will work home from home (when social distancing rules apply).

WHEN

The role will take place during business hours with some after-hours (finishing no later than 8pm) when VFSN sub-committee meetings may need to be scheduled.

Email and phone enquiries to Julia Klieber, Project Manager, [email protected], using the subject line: Project Officer - Organisational Development enquiry via EthicalJobs, M 0451 665 057.

A position description is attached.