Manager, Safeguarding Office

The Organisation

The Catholic Diocese of Lismore is located on the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Home to more than 105,000 Catholics, the Diocese nurtures the spiritual lives of thousands of Catholics through its agencies, ministries and parishes, and supports thousands more in the local community through health and aged care, education, welfare and community services. Renowned for its hands-on and practical approach to the service and pastoral care of people in this area, the Diocese is seeking an experienced and professional manager to lead a team of people in the area of safeguarding children and vulnerable people. This newly created full time position exists to further promote a safe environment for children, young persons and vulnerable adults within the Catholic Church environment.

The Role

Reporting to the Diocesan Business Manager, you will work closely with the Leadership Team of the Diocese to ensure that the current and future child safety responsibilities of the Diocese are met. You will have oversight of complex case management and investigations to ensure the Diocese meets its obligations to the NSW Ombudsman and Office of the Children’s Guardian and its duty of care to system participants. With a whole of Diocese approach, you will provide advice to Parishes, Aged Care facilities, Disability Services, Catholic Education Office and other key stakeholders in relation to best practice and regulatory compliance in the areas of child protection and child safety. You will develop policies, practices and related education programs that ensure the Diocese maintains its regulatory compliance and accommodates related legal issues in the areas of child protection and child safety. Central to this role will be your ability to create a culture that embraces and prioritises the safeguarding of young persons and vulnerable people.

Key Requirements

• A demonstrated commitment to the ethos and values of the Catholic Church;

• Demonstrated experience in a similar role or in a field with readily transferable knowledge and skills (e.g. child protection, child advocacy, or investigations experience in industrial relations or criminal law);

• Tertiary qualifications in a discipline relevant to the role (e.g. legal, social welfare, clinical psychology, social welfare, employment/industrial relations);

• The ability to lead and manage people and work as a co-leader in a large multi-disciplinary team; • Excellent analytical skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to confidently communicate solutions in a reasoned and practical manner;

• Demonstrate exposure to work in a highly regulated environment, involving complex considerations and offering compliance advice and risk-based solutions;

• Knowledge of related legislation with experience in the practice of the relevant legislation and legal processes;

• Have undertaken case management and conducted investigations and inquiries and the implementation of subsequent recommendations and outcomes;

• Be able to quickly build credibility with leaders and key stakeholders.

For a confidential discussion about this position and to obtain a copy of the Information Pack which contains details about how to apply please contact Anthony Spata, REACH Human Resources, on 0402 210 055 or anthony@reachhr.com.au

Applications close Friday, 3 March 2017

Only candidates with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.