• Manager Community Engagement (Settlement Program)
• Part time – 0.8FTE and two years fixed position)

Position Objective

This position is responsible for managing and delivering the Community Engagement activities and overseeing Program Management (Contractual Obligations) for the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Program.

The role supports the Settlement Support Officers, Parenting and Children Officers, and the Youth Team in planning and delivering community engagement activities. This includes conducting community consultations with diverse communities across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, co-designing programs with stakeholders, and evaluating the effectiveness of MIC’s community engagement initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Program Management and Oversight: Lead SETS program planning, support the CEO in developing the SETS Activity Work Plan, and ensure group programs and activities are delivered effectively and in a timely manner. The role also involves assisting with monitoring and reporting on program outcomes.
• Staff and Team Leader Support: Work closely with the SETS Team Leaders to ensure staff receive appropriate support and supervision from the Manager of Client Support Services, particularly in casework delivery. Provide guidance to Team Leaders on the planning and implementation of group programs and community engagement activities.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Support: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, support the CEO in managing strategic projects involving SETS team collaboration, and contribute to cross-program initiatives as required.
• Capacity Building and Client Support Frameworks: Contribute to the development of a centralised intake and client allocation model in collaboration with the Manager of Client Casework Support to enhance service coordination. Provide oversight and evaluation of community engagement workshops and programs, ensuring ongoing improvement and impact.
• Community Impact: Support newly arrived refugees and family stream migrants living in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs by ensuring responsive, well-coordinated, and culturally appropriate services.

Key Responsibilities

Program Planning

• The role will work with the CEO to ensure the Community Engagement Activities and Programs for SETS contract have been identified and developed with the support of the Settlement Support Officers, Parenting and Childrens Officer and Youth Team.
• Ensure the team understand the operational annual plan and are supported to meet the service agreement deliverables and targets for funding bodies.
• Support the CEO and conduct planning meetings to ensure all staff understand the operational plan, team plans and individual target allocation.

Service Delivery

• The role will work closely with Manager Clinical Support Services and provide day-to-day oversight and management of the SETS program, with a focus on community engagement activities. The key responsibilities include:
  • Program Oversight and Coordination
• Lead the planning and delivery of SETS community engagement activities.
• Support settlement staff in implementing workplan objectives and ensure clear systems and processes are in place.

Financial and Operational Accountability

• Approve fund allocations related to community engagement initiatives.
• Oversee reporting requirements, including milestone payments, and manage data using government databases.

Stakeholder and Funding Body Engagement

• Liaise with external stakeholders and support the CEO in engaging with the funding body, including attending regular meetings and maintaining strong communication.

Program Reporting and Data Management

• The role will ensure all staff understand the reporting requirements, collate all relevant client information, follow policies, undertake all data reporting requirements and prepare reports as directed by the CEO for the Board and relevant funding bodies. The role will proficiently use the of the Client Data System and ensure all risk management issues related to data management is addressed over the next 12 months.

Staff Management

• Oversee the staff recruitment, staff induction, staff supervision and performance planning as per the policy and HR external support and as directed by the CEO.

Budget Management

• Manage the budget of the operational cost and support the CEO to manage MIC finances prudently.

Stakeholder Engagement / Promotion

• Work with the CEO and Team to attend all networks and key stakeholder meetings in the SETS Program and other strategic projects
• Work with the CEO on clear marketing and promotional plan for the SETS Program.
• Ensure the website has all relevant information and support CEO with client feedback and complaints policy.

Strategic Growth – Grants Program

• Provide strategic advice and identify the relevant grants that will support the SETS program enhancement.

Other Duties

• Advocate on behalf of refugees and people who settle in Australia under the family migration program who have low English proficiency with the aim of improving their access to services and resources.
• Work alongside MIC colleagues to support MIC to align to and work within the MARAM framework and Child Safe Standards.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Staff supervision and management skills

• Program coordination skills, including monitoring and meeting program deadlines, ensuring key performance targets are met and providing support and leadership to program staff.

• Casework/Advocacy/Community Development/Group Facilitation skills

• Excellent interpersonal, networking and negotiation skills

• Knowledge of, and experience with the issues faced by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly newly arrived refugees and people who arrive in Australia as family stream migrants.

• Working collaboratively with staff and volunteers from external agencies and community groups in developing, delivering and evaluating services that effectively address the needs of people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in using interpreters and strong reporting writing skills.

• A strong client service focus

• Sound administrative skills and competency with Microsoft Office suite

• Experience in complying with the reporting requirements of government in respect to funding received

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in managing a team of casework and/or community development staff, including providing supervision, support and direction in their work.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the settlement service system in Australia, including the National Settlement Framework, knowledge of services in eastern Melbourne and how services integrate with each other.

• Demonstrated experience in meeting program key performance indicators, including supporting, motivating and leading a team to meet program goals and requirements.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the needs and challenges facing people from refugee and/or migrant backgrounds who are new to Australia.

• Demonstrated experience in providing effective casework services and community development activities to people from refugee and/or migrant backgrounds with low English language proficiency, including assessment of needs and prioritising clients based on level of need and/or urgency.

• Demonstrated experience in planning and facilitating group programs and/or information sessions and ability to support a team to provide.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining effective partnerships across both the government and community sectors

• Sound administrative and written skills, including developing and monitoring a team work plan

• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office programs

• A current Victorian Driver’s License

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in social work(highly desirable) or related welfare fields
• Completion of MARAM training and/or an understanding of the MARAM framework, including Family Violence and Child Safety Information Sharing Schemes
• Leadership qualifications highly desirable.

Position dimensions

• The position reports to the Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) CEO

• Work in co-operation with staff and volunteers of the MIC

• Manage and effectively implement project objectives as stated in the agreement between Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) and the Department of Home Affairs

• Successful candidates will need to produce a clear and current Police Check and Working with Children’s Check

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

All queries should be emailed to [email protected] with details of the queries/ provide a phone number or an email, using the subject line: Manager Community Engagement (Settlement Program) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.