• Part time (28 Hours per week)

Organisation overview

Illawarra Legal Centre Inc (ILC) exists to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people to access free legal services and to recognise their legal rights.

ILC’s people are dedicated, driven, person focused and committed to the principles of social justice and human rights.

Primary purpose of the role

The Financial Counsellor will deliver assistance, advocacy, advice and information to people experiencing financial difficulties. The Financial Counsellor will be expected to provide financial counselling to people experiencing gambling related challenges, and to deliver effective community legal education within the community. The primary task of the role is to assess the presenting problems and provide clients with various options for the client to decide on a suitable course of action.

Primary Responsibilities

• To assess the clients overall financial situation including any legal action they may be facing or may face as the result of their financial difficulties and provide information on all possible available options that address the client's specific problem/s and the implications of these options on their financial situation.
• Advocate and negotiate on behalf of the client with credit providers or debt collections agencies as instructed by the client.
• Maintain accurate statistical data and other relevant information for funding bodies, meet individual output targets and ensure all data is provided to the funding body in accordance with the funding agreement.
• Undertake all necessary administrative, clerical and Centre processes to ensure timely and accurate information is stored to minimise potential conflict issues and meet funding body requirements.
• Identify gaps in community knowledge, and plan, develop and deliver community legal education on financial counselling and related credit and debt matters.
• Participate in local networks to promote the service and strengthen links with key contacts that improve access for clients.
• Identify policy and law reform issues, contribute to and assist in the preparation of policy documents and law reform submission on issues affecting clients.

Essential Criteria

1. Relevant Financial Counselling qualifications and Accredited member of NSW State Association of Financial Counsellors (FCAN).

2. Case management experience in Financial Counselling.

3. Demonstrated experience working with people affected by problem gambling, knowledge of consumer protection legislation and policy, credit system, debt recover and bankruptcy laws.

4.  Demonstrated Advocacy and negotiation skills, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

5. Demonstrated experience in administration, data reporting requirements, understanding and experience in complying with regulatory, ethical, privacy and other relevant guidelines.

6.  Superior interpersonal skills including ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders and exercise tact and sound judgement.

A position description is attached.