Our story

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. (also known as Foundation House) was founded in 1987 to advance the health, wellbeing and human rights of people of refugee background who have experienced torture or other traumatic events. We have worked with over 100,000 people from more than 70 different communities and are recognised as a national leader in the provision of trauma-informed and trauma-focused service delivery.

Your impact

Foundation House has joined a group of service providers to form a consortium focused on delivering mental health and wellbeing services to the Greater Dandenong region, called "The Local".

The service will provide adults with locally available mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support.

The role of the Cultural Practice Lead will be part of The Local leadership team and be responsible for leading the Foundation House team in design, implementation, and delivery of the service. Crucial to this role will be the ability to identify, appreciate, and embed an understanding of the unique needs and backgrounds of refugees - bringing their experiences of mental health and wellbeing into the scope of The Locals service delivery.

About You

You'll have a background of community focused work, managing complex projects and leading teams. This role will see you reporting directly to the Acting General Manager of Practice and Sector Development at Foundation House, whilst working alongside leaders from other organisations that form The Local consortium.

In this role your activities will include:

• Actively shape the design, implementation and delivery of The Local service as the key representative of Foundation House within the consortium
• Collaborate in the design of a trauma-informed and culturally safe offering to clients and communities of refugee backgrounds in the Greater Dandenong Area
• Develop and implement proactive, regional, place-based community and sector capacity-building initiatives based on community and sector needs.
• Drive engagement with refugee background communities within The Local service area of Greater Dandenong
• Lead and manage a small team of Counsellor Advocates, Community Engagement Officers, Complimentary Therapies and other relevant frontline staff
• Lead the identification and design of responses to practice development needs across The Local in relation to working with culturally diverse and vulnerable refugee background communities

This role is a full-time, ongoing position and is based in Dandenong.

What you'll need

To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the following key selection criteria:

• Post-graduate qualification in psychology, social work, community development or other related discipline/s, with a practice and quality improvement focus.
• Demonstrated expertise in working with culturally diverse communities and/or communities experiencing displacement, complex trauma and recovery models.
• Background in managing projects of increasing complexity that respond to the needs of community groups, both independently and collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Leadership experience in managing and overseeing complex clinical and psychosocial services and advocacy responses to people with complex trauma experiences.
• Experience in evaluation and research, including participatory approaches to inform policy, practice, and quality improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills supported by strong written and verbal communication skills

In return

You will be rewarded with:

• An attractive annual remuneration package, $126,088 + superannuation
• Annual leave loading
• Salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550
• Novated car leasing options
• A role with true purpose to make a difference in people's lives
• A welcoming, highly diverse and supportive team environment
• Generous leave provisions with option to purchase additional leave
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.

Foundation House is an inclusive employer

Foundation House is an equal opportunity employer; we foster a work environment that is inclusive and diverse. We are values driven and are committed to improving the life outcomes of refugees and asylum seekers.

Foundation House is a state-wide agency offering services throughout Victoria. We currently have approximately 250 staff across our five offices in Brunswick, Dallas, Dandenong, Ringwood and Sunshine, and we also provide services in partnership with other agencies in regional and rural Victoria.

Foundation House is a Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We actively play a part in combating family violence, as reflected in our organisational policies, protocols and staff development.

Read more about our history on our website.

How to Apply

Please upload your CV and a cover letter (maximum one to two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above.

Please refer to the position description for detailed information about the role. For more information about our hiring process, please refer to our careers with us page:

https://foundationhouse.org.au/be-involved/careers-with-us/our-hiring-process/

Please note, applications will be considered as they are received.

For enquiries, please contact Shaymaa Elkadi, Acting General Manager Practice and Sector Development on 03 9389 8900 or via [email protected] using the subject line: Cultural Practice Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you think you have what it takes but don't necessarily meet all selection criteria, please still get in touch as we would love to talk with you and see if you could be a suitable fit.

Hiring is subject to satisfactory Police Check, current Working with Children Check, and proof of the right to work and live in Australia.

A position description is attached.