• Western Sydney location
• SCHCADS Award 2010- Level 4
• Fixed-Term Part-Time (14 hours a week)

Role Overview:

The Community Connections Officer will be responsible for delivering the community-based Neighbourhood Buddies Project that aims to link each new settler with an established Blacktown LGA resident, to share with them the knowledge and experiences of successfully navigating the Australian society and way of life by:

• Providing new settlers with mentors (buddies) from the host community & assisting them to build networks, knowledge, navigation skills, social & economic participation, wellbeing & a sense of belonging
• Improving language & cultural understandings in an informal setting
• Addressing issues of prejudices & discrimination by connecting people and knowing each other, who otherwise would not know each other, or understand each other

This position will be fixed term part-time with an option of flexible working days per week (14 hours) until the 26th February 2021.

Key Accountabilities:

• Comply with work-plan requirements including resourcing a project Advisory Committee
• Recruit 16 participants from newly arrived communities
• Recruit adequate number of buddies/mentor/ host families from the local communities
• Match up participants with buddies and providing orientation and on-going support to the buddies
• Develop and organise realistic engagement activities plan that primarily focuses on access to services, transport (learner driver mentoring), education/ volunteering/employment pathway
• Work in partnership with a diverse range of key stakeholders including, Settlement Services International (SSI), Blacktown City Council, Salvation Army, Local Aboriginal Network/Community representatives
• Ensure confidentiality and maintenance of up-to-date client information on SydWest and MECA internal systems
• Ensure monthly reporting is accurate and submitted in a timely manner
• Evaluation and monitoring of the effectiveness of the project
• Comply with regulatory, funding standards and SydWest’s policies and procedures
• Participate in appropriate interagencies/networks as directed by the CE Manager
• Undertake other duties as required
• Ensure personal safety and have a positive attitude towards a work-life balance

Essential Criteria (needs to be addressed on a separate document):

• Tertiary qualified with in Human Services/Social Sciences with extensive experience community development and organisation
• Experience working with CALD communities
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement and participation
• Demonstrated experience in project planning, management and implementation
• Demonstrated knowledge of challenges faced by ethno-specific organisations in Australia
• Track record in seeking new funding or business opportunities
• Excellent research and report writing skills, and are good at synthesising and presenting complex information
• High level time-management and organisational skills, decision making and capacity to identify, initiate and successfully manage competing priorities and deliver high- quality products within agreed timeframes, with attention to detail
• High level interpersonal, communication, facilitation and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated values of integrity, reliability, professionalism and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs
• National Police Check required
• Current driver’s licence and access to a fully registered motor vehicle