Community Engagement Officer – Parenting Together in a New Land

The Australian Refugee Association Inc. (ARA) is a community-based organisation providing settlement, migration, and other forms of assistance to refugees, migrants and other people of concern.

As a member of our team, you will be supporting new arrivals in South Australia to achieve their social, economic, cultural and community participation goals. You will be making a difference in the lives of individuals and families as they re-establish themselves in a new home.

ARA’s Family Safety Programs provide early intervention and support to individuals, families, and communities affected by domestic and family violence, or intergenerational disadvantage that negatively impacts the health and wellbeing of children. As part of ARA’s suite of Family Safety Programs, Parenting Together in the New Land offers culturally appropriate group sessions that help to establish and build healthy relationships between parents and their children.

Job Description

The Community Engagement Officer is responsible for implementing the PTINL project under the general direction of the Health and Wellbeing Team Leader. They will provide early intervention programs, plan and conduct community consultations, and organise group workshops for parents from CALD backgrounds in the Salisbury council area.

Program Delivery:

• Develop and implement a community engagement plan using co-design principles in consultation with the Health and Wellbeing Team Leader addressing project goals and targets.
• Organise and facilitate group activities in accordance with the service activity plan and service agreement for PTINL.
• Deliver parenting training to Community for Children services according to the activity plan.
• Facilitate referral pathways for parents who might benefit from individual and family support, including case management when required.
• Record project activities, outcomes, trends, and challenges and ensure accountability requirements are met.
• Collaborate with other members of ARA’s Family Safety Team to support other community engagement and case management activities.
• Promote quality service responses that are underpinned and informed by a deep understanding of the needs of CALD families, women and children impacted by family and domestic violence, as well as aligned with ARA’s values and Strategic Plan.
• Seek approvals for program-related expenses as per ARA’s guidelines.
• Maintain and contribute to a healthy and productive work culture.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Attend meetings with other service providers when requested.
• Develop mutually respectful relationships with external service providers, agencies and communities and use these opportunities to promote ARA services.
• Participate in appropriate and relevant expos, forums and conferences to promote ARA services when requested.
• Participate in internal team and staff meetings to share information, knowledge, and new opportunities.

Reporting:

• Provide regular progress updates and reports to the Health and Wellbeing Team Leader on service delivery in line with performance targets.
• Ensure confidential and accurate documentation of community engagement activities and adhere to requirements in relation to data collection.
• Provide accurate timesheets and mileage records for approval.

Desired Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

A relevant tertiary degree or diploma is a prerequisite unless the equivalent knowledge has been attained through lesser qualifications and/or significant experience gained from previous appointments.

Experience & Knowledge:

• Experience in working with the community through co-design approaches and a strong ability to work collaboratively with key stakeholders, community leaders and members.
• Knowledge and experience in working with migrants and refugee communities in the area of family safety and parenting.
• Experience in facilitating workshops and community group activities.
• Experience in preparation, development and implementation of projects in the community services industry.
• High level of written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise, negotiate, advocate and resolve conflict.
• Experience using Microsoft applications and database systems.
• Knowledge of government policies and contemporary service models relevant to community services.
• Knowledge of South Australian settlement services and programs.
• Knowledge about issues that CALD communities face in navigating the Australian system around child safety and domestic and family violence.
• Experience in developing and maintaining inter-agency partnerships.

Personal Capabilities

• Ability to provide specialist expertise or advice in regard to the development and delivery of projects.
• Ability to seek out new opportunities and deliver projects to meet KPIs.
• Effective ‘lateral thinking’, problem-solving and decision-making.
• Ability to establish, build and maintain internal and external relationships.
• Ability to work autonomously to meet deadlines and display flexibility in response to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Excellent time management skills incorporating daily, monthly and weekly priorities.
• Highly developed organisational skills.
• Strong ethical practices with a specific commitment to:
  • ARA Service Principles;
  • Equal Opportunity and Anti-discrimination;
  • Work Health & Safety;
  • Client-oriented service provision.

To apply for this role, please click on the “Apply Now” Button below.

A position description is attached.