• 0.6 FTE - Part-time - fixed term contract to 30/6/2025 as per project funding deliverables.
  
• Anticipated start of role is first week of Sept or earlier if preferred candidate is available.
  
• Be part of a friendly, supportive, and committed team
• This is a SCHADS Level 5 position plus superannuation
  
• Salary Packaging options available
• 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
• 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 – SCHADS Award Level 5, NFP salary packaging options available, annual leave loading of 17.5%, laptop provided

Position overview

“Navigating My Way” is a ground-breaking new project being implemented by VMIAC as part of grant funding received from the Australian Government, represented by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission. The project will create accessible resources to assist NDIS participants to navigate their rights, complaints processes and service providers.

The Project Officer role will report to the Project Coordinator. The Project Officer will assist with project implementation, effectively facilitate consumer and community engagement, and work with the wider VMIAC team to meet deliverables.

The Navigating My Way project compliments VMIAC’s existing advocacy programs which provide timely and expert lived-experience support to NDIS Participants with a psychosocial disability.

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 Objectives

• Assist with project planning, design, delivery and evaluation
• Co-design tools and resources with consumers and stakeholders. Resources should:
  • Increase NDIS participant knowledge and awareness of their rights
  • Support people to self-advocate and navigate complaints processes
  • Allow for NDIS participants and providers to assess NDIS services against criteria set by consumers
• Provide information, support and training to VMIAC and other stakeholders to navigate the newly designed resource/s

Key Selection Criteria

(Applicants to address within their application)

Essential

• 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 well being.
• Sound understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Victorian mental health system
• Confidence working and consulting with diverse stakeholders including consumers, carers, families, mental health services, disability supports, homeless support services and mainstream services.
• Excellent organisational skills, with flexibility to prioritise a range of competing demands and work to deadlines.

• Intermediate to advanced skills and competence in Microsoft Office

Desirable

• Experience overseeing the co-production of resources producing written, video content & online material for a range of audiences, while considering accessibility needs.
• Demonstrated experience with authentic codesign processes, as well as a commitment to ensure that co design is respectful and trauma informed.
• Strong writing skills for project documentation, reporting and communication.
• Project work experience, including demonstrated success in planning and implementing projects on time, on budget and in line with project objectives.
• Relevant qualifications or experience in community development, project management or other relevant work.

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.
• Flexible working environment with an expectation of attending the office for up to 50% of working days

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 (as required for role)

Applicants can contact Hannah Tucker via email [email protected] using the subject line: Project Officer (NDIS QSC Navigating My Way) 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!

Interviews are planned to be conducted between 9th-11th August during business hours.

For all other criteria please refer to the Position Description.

A position description is attached.