About the Organisation

Relationships Australia NT (RANT) is part of one of Australia’s largest community based organisations whose vision is to work with communities where relationships are respectful, diversity is valued and all people have a true sense of belonging and connection. RANT is committed to protecting children and young people from harm.

About the role

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer is responsible for delivery of client services within the Redress Scheme Support Service (RSSS). The role is to provide timely and seamless access to trauma-informed and culturally appropriate services that support people who experienced institutional childhood sexual abuse to engage with the National Redress Scheme (NRS).

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer provides appropriate direct support to people considering and applying to the National Redress Scheme including casework, counselling, advocacy and liaison with legal services, statutory bodies, communities and other stakeholders. The position works closely with the Manager, Adult Specialist Support Services and RA-NT Aboriginal & Islander Cultural Advisors to ensure consistent, high quality service delivery and to create collaborative inter-agency responses that support clients.

Given the highly complex and sensitive nature of the NRS, priority is given to safety and to ensure people are provided with service that empowers and enhances their personal agency. The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer requires well-developed clinical practice skills as well as flexibility, initiative, coordination and organising skills, with a large amount of autonomy.

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer will also focus on engaging with individuals and service providers in rural, regional and remote outreach locations across the Northern Territory to enable equitable access to the National Redress Scheme and Redress Scheme Support Service.

Within this role, you are required to meet and comply with the Behaviour Standards outlined in our Safeguarding Children and Young People Practice and Behaviour Guidelines, be subject to RANT policy, and actively participate in cultural safety and “cultural fitness”.

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, counselling, or another relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of current theory and practice relating to trauma informed practice including knowledge of the impact and effects of childhood trauma on adult functioning.
• Established experience in working with individuals and/or families where complex trauma is present.
• Demonstrated experience in case management.
• Proven stakeholder and community engagement, education and development skills.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining streamlined internal processes for service delivery.
• High level of interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal communities, organisations and individuals to deliver community education, networking and service provision and promotion.
• Ability to work with and communicate effectively to people from different cultural backgrounds, and to respond to a variety of situations in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
• Ability and commitment to work as a team member within the ethos and values of RANT.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the historical context of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
• Experience in agency representation in networks, forums, information sessions, and community groups.

Applicants will require extensive screening, referee checks, identity check, Ochre Card and Criminal History check.

RANT provides excellent support, supervision, professional development entitlements (of up to $3,000 per annum) and generous PBI salary sacrificing ($15,899 additional tax free threshold).

Position Description (incl. Selection Criteria) and Basic Employment Conditions are available below or in Current Vacancies at www.nt.relationships.org.au.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

To discuss the position further please call Mary on (08) 8923 4999.