Only Indigenous Australians are eligible to apply as this position is exempt under the special measures provision, Section 12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)

Our Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL) is the recognised state-wide Peak Advisory body on Aboriginal Community issues. VACSAL is a community based, community-controlled organisation, comprising representatives from Aboriginal organisations across the State. As well as having an advisory role, VACSAL delivers and manages a range of critical community services across Victoria.

VACSAL plays an integral role in the development of programs aimed at strengthening family, culture and resilience in today’s contemporary society. We have a recognised reputation for delivery of programs that support; Family violence, Homelessness, Youth Justice, Family Services as well as a range of educational programs across Victoria.

The Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus has an auspice arrangement with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL).

Dhelk Dja Governance Overview

The Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum (Partnership Forum) is the governance structure with strategic responsibility for Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families 10 Year Family Violence Agreement (the Agreement) and its Action Plans. It is a genuine partnership between Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal services and all areas of the Victorian Government with a shared focus on realising the vision of Dhelk Dja.

The Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus (Caucus) is an integral component of the relationship on the Partnership Forum between Aboriginal communities, services and government to improve implementation of the Agreement.

The Caucus comprises the Chairpersons of the eleven Dhelk Dja Action Groups and key representatives of Aboriginal services that are members of the Partnership Forum.

Each member of the Caucus participates as a member of the Partnership Forum either as a Dhelk Dja Action Group Chairperson or as a service representative, bringing family violence, education, health, housing, children and young people and justice issues to the Partnership Forum. In addition to these individual roles, the Caucus also brings collective positions for consideration to the Partnership Forum.

The Partnership Forum believes that the way that Aboriginal people will be able to build stronger communities is by advocating from a knowledge base that increases community awareness of the social issues and potential responses available to communities to tackle local and state-wide family violence issues. An autonomous voice is imperative for Aboriginal people to achieve self-determination and self-management.

The Dhelk Dja vision is for Aboriginal people to be culturally strong, safe and self-determining, with families and communities living free from violence.

Position Summary

The position will be responsible for secretariat functions for Koori Caucus meetings and will provide a single point of contact and effective communication amongst members. The Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus Executive Officer will support Caucus members to be well briefed and prepared in relation to emerging issues, and will build and maintain strong and effective relationships with relevant government departments.

The role will also work collaboratively with the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum Secretariat located in the Aboriginal Strategy Unit, Family Safety Victoria. The position will be required to be based at Family Safety Victoria one day per week.

Duties

Executive Officer Duties

• Coordinate and deliver secretariat functions including arranging meetings and conferences, liaising with Koori Caucus, key Dhelk Dja critical partners and government officials, coordinating papers, organising venues, preparing agendas, taking minutes, tracking status and follow-up actions and making travel and accommodation arrangements.

• Work with stakeholders and peers with the objective of gaining cooperation and meeting timelines for relevant activities of the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families 10 Year Agreement and related activities of the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum.

• Focus on understanding stakeholder issues, and negotiate with Koori Caucus and key Dhelk Dja critical partners and stakeholders with the objective of gaining cooperation and meeting timelines for relevant activities of the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families 10 Year Agreement and related activities of the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the authorising environment and how to work with Koori Caucus members, Dhelk Dja Chairpersons and Family Safety Victoria.

• Provide high quality strategic authoritative advice and sound recommendations to Koori Caucus and Family Safety Victoria on comprehensive research and prepare and present detailed, comprehensive reports and papers on complex matters within agreed timelines.

• Contribute to the development and provision of advice and sound recommendations to Koori Caucus.

• Support effective working relationships and the flow of information across the Koori Caucus, Partnership Forum, Family Safety Victoria and with key stakeholders to facilitate a partnership approach.

• Oversee implementation of the Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus Executive Officer annual workplan, in consultation with the Senior Programs Manager, Koori Caucus and Family Safety Victoria.

• Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities and maintain accurate databases to manage compliance and governance requirements.

• Ensure you have a sound knowledge of all VACSAL programs

• Create a yearly work plan, ensuring it aligns with your KPI’s and is in conjunction with your program and the Strategic Plan. Ensure it is updated bimonthly as part of your Supervisor Sessions.

• Assist with VACSAL community events such as NAIDOC activities, sports carnivals etc

• Attend VACSAL In Service and AGM annually

• Undertake other duties that are peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

A position description is attached.