• 1 FTE - Full-time - ongoing
  
• New position from August 2023
• Starting as soon as possible
• Be part of a friendly, supportive, and committed team
• Competitive remuneration package including superannuation and salary packaging options
  
• Relocation expenses may be negotiated for the preferred applicant
• Office currently located in Prahran
  
• Flexible working arrangements with the expectation of 50% of days in the office

About Us

Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) is Victoria’s peak body for people who have a lived experience of mental health or emotional challenges. VMIAC is run by consumers, for consumers. VMIAC’s vision is a world where all mental health consumers stand proud, live a life with choices honoured, rights upheld, and these principles are embedded in all aspects of society.

VMIAC undertake individual, group and systemic advocacy and their work includes research and evaluation, education and training, information provision and resource development, as well as limited specialist support programs. VMIAC have a strong and continuous focus on engagement with members and informing and supporting them in becoming empowered and having their voices heard.

VMIAC is an Incorporated Association and is governed by a Committee of Management (COM).

What’s on Offer

• Work Life Balance – hybrid working options available with 50% office based
• The Care Factor – Approachable and transparent management who provide clear communication. We appreciate and promote wellbeing in the workplace
• Culture – Positive and inclusive culture within a friendly team who care about professionalism, welfare, and the customer experience
• Pay and Benefits – Competitive remuneration package, NFP salary packaging options available, annual leave loading of 17.5%, laptop provided

Major Change and Transition

VMIAC is in a time of major transition with increased funding and staffing resulting from recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. The reforms being undertaken have far reaching consequences and as the consumer peak body in Victoria, VMIAC leads the way in ensuring that the voice of consumers is central to all decisions.

The Strategic Directions of VMIAC are jointly developed by the Committee of Management (CoM), members and staff and set priorities for the next four years. VMIAC’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027 has just been completed.

The implementation of the strategy will see VMIAC:

• Identifying high priority issues based on member/consumer concerns
• Creating communication strategies to promote these issues in appropriate settings
• Developing, maintaining strong partnerships with allies and collaborators
• Preparing and presenting strong positions at public events
• Engaging in creative ventures which keep the issues of consumer concerns in the public awareness.

Position overview

This position is responsible for leading the implementation of the strategic directions in membership, advocacy, research and policy development and partnerships to ensure key consumer issues are represented at individual, organisational, community and system levels.

The Strategy and Programs Director has a team of research, policy and program experts who will develop, implement, and evaluate VMIAC’s strategic activities in line with the strategic directions.

This position will represent VMIAC in a range of public settings and will work closely with the CEO to ensure consistency of message in all circumstances.

The Director Strategy and Programs is a new role at VMIAC and has been developed to facilitate VMIAC’s growth and impact in the context of the Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission and implementation of recommendations and the national Productivity Commission Report on Mental Health. It is an important role at an important time.

This role will form part of the VMIAC leadership group and work in close collaboration with the CEO. The Director Strategy and Program will lead, manage, assure the quality of and further develop VMIACs membership, policy and research and advocacy functions as well as play a key role in ensuring that VMIAC is a trauma-informed workplace where people with a lived experience can thrive in their professional lives.

The Director Strategy & Programs will also represent VMIAC at senior levels, contribute to strategy and business growth, and will act
for the CEO in their absence.

THIS IS A LIVED EXPERIENCE, CONSUMER POSITION

Applicants must be people with lived experience of mental health challenges, trauma or emotional distress and/or who have accessed mental health or other related services specifically to support their mental wellbeing.

Applicants must consider themselves to be work ready; be capable of reflecting on how their own lived experience interacts with that of others; and be able of contributing to the development and implementation of collaborative ways of working.

Key Selection Criteria (tO BE addressed in the application)

Essential:

• Significant demonstrated experience in a senior leadership and management role
• Background in advocacy at individual, organisational and systemic levels
• Expertise on organisational development and change management
• Good strategic and conceptual thinking
• Expertise in program design (program logic), evaluation and review relevant to the VMIAC suite of programs and ways of working
• Ability to inspire and grow well-supported teams that do their jobs well; ability to manage a diverse workforce
• Strong communication and representational skills
• Good ability to design and implement business practices and processes that make work easier to do and more efficient
• Willingness to work collegiately as part of a senior leadership team, skills and knowledge that will enrich teamwork at this level
• Track record in building effective partnerships
• Tertiary qualification in management, community services or other relevant areas or an equivalent combination of experience, education or training
• A current Victorian Driver's Licence and/or willingness to travel for work purposes.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the state and national mental health landscape, particularly the state reform agenda
• Understanding of and experience in a membership-based organisation
• Knowledge of the mental health consumer lived and living experience workforce
• Experience in supporting and working effectively with sub-committees of the Committee and/or knowledge of good governance processes

Special Conditions

Checks and probationary period:

• The preferred candidate for the role is required to complete and/or provide Police and Working with Children checks prior to final confirmation and commencement of employment
• Referees are required and will be contacted for shortlisted applicants.
• This role is subject to a probationary period of six months

Equipment:

• VMIAC has a small pool of work vehicles which are accessible by all staff via a prioritising booking system for use for work purposes if/when required. This does not include the use of VMIAC vehicles to travel to and from staff’s homes to VMIAC.
• Laptop and mobile phone
• Flexible working environment with 50% office based

Applicants can contact Craig Wallace via email [email protected] using the subject line: Director - Strategy & Programs enquiry via EthicalJobs for further information.

If this sounds like you and you are as excited as we are by this opportunity, then we would love to hear from you!

For all other criteria please refer to the Position Description attached below.