Director Community Services

Who we are

The MJD Foundation partners with and supports Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families living with Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) and Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7) to live fulfilling and rewarding lives. The MJDF is an Aboriginal organisation and we take our core values from combining best practice western and traditional cultural knowledge in the ‘Our-way’ approach. By providing flexible and culturally responsive care based on a strong foundation of enduring relationships, we aim to provide families living with MJD specialist care and support, working together to stay stronger for longer. We are currently recruiting for a Director, Community Services to join our Executive Management Team in Darwin.

The Position

The Director, Community Services will report to the CEO and lead a multidisciplinary team that supports individuals and their families living with MJD by providing holistic person-centered supports. MJDF works in a relationship-based approach that honours Our Way. ‘Our Way’ values and respects a ‘two-way’ approach which partners Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff to deliver supports that are flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients and reflect the diverse cultural and first language needs of families.

As a key member of the MJDF’s Executive Management Team, you will provide leadership, strategic input, management, oversight and direction to the Community Services and NDIS teams and liaise with other senior staff members.

Special Requirements

• Willingness to travel to remote communities (by light aircraft or 4WD);
• Ability to obtain and maintain NDIS Worker Screening clearance;
• Willingness to adhere to Government mandated vaccination policies and provide proof of compliance;
• Ability to obtain and maintain an NT class C manual drivers’ license;

Who you are

Do you want to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families living with Machado Joseph disease or SCA7? Are you a strong leader with experience leading a diverse team of professionals?

It is important that you demonstrate that you are self-motivated, that you strive for excellence and that you can translate strategic thinking into delivery of successful operational programs. You will have strong interpersonal skills, are a great communicator who enables cooperation and you have the ability to interact effectively and in a culturally appropriate manner with Aboriginal Australians. You will lead and inspire a committed team with wide-ranging experience across the sector. The expertise that you bring to the role may be varied, including skills that you have developed in your previous leadership roles, and your life experience as a member of the community and a user of the service system.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply!

Selection Criteria:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (Health, Disability, Community Services) with at least seven (7) years relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and training.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in a relevant leadership role, with demonstrated experience successfully managing a geographically dispersed team of 10 or more members.
• Demonstrated practical experience in program co-design and delivery with Aboriginal communities, alongside Aboriginal community workers and within a remote delivery setting.
• High level understanding of the NDIS and demonstrated experience working within the NDIS space including accommodation, coordination of supports, and community access packages.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and attributes with the ability to interact effectively in a highly responsive manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from a diverse range of cultures.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to consult, collaborate and negotiate effectively with stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills with demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, set priorities and work under pressure to meet conflicting deadlines for a diverse range of activities across key areas of operations.
• Negotiation skills with a demonstrated capacity to manage relationships in a complex organisational context with the ability to deal with sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy and consistency and maintain complete confidentiality.
• Extensive experience in administrative procedures and systems including high level competency in Microsoft applications, financial management, corporate reporting and client management systems.
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to person and family centred practice and working within the MJD Foundation ‘Our Way’ approach.

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of the mechanisms and processes of Spinocerebellar Ataxias.
• Clinical experience in neurological and/or rehabilitation settings.
• Working knowledge of NT/QLD Government and/or NGO services and facilities.

What we offer:

• A supportive and inclusive work environment;
• Above award level pay rate;
• Tax free fringe benefit up to $15,900 p.a., plus meal entertainment benefit up to $2,650 p.a.;
• 6 weeks annual leave;
• One day paid wellbeing day and gift;
• A holistic workplace that offers flexibility (hours/where you work);
• Professional development;
• Access to free confidential supports via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
• Free on-site car parking;
• Relocation package for the right candidate.

Please have a look at the position description attached below.

For more information you can contact Jacquie Hatt, CEO, via [email protected] using the subject line: Director Community Services enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0499 213 350.