Senior Manager WESSI

Division and Department Purpose

The Community Programs division is one of seven divisions at the Brotherhood of St Laurence and exists to engage with individuals and communities, empowering them and building their capacity through providing services, advocacy and community regeneration. The Work, Economic Security and Social Inclusion (WESSI) unit sits within this division with a specific focus on maximising people’s employment readiness, financial capacity building, as well as fostering a sense of social and community inclusion.

WESSI at the Brotherhood covers a broad range of areas including programs, policy and our advocacy and influencing agenda.

The Multicultural Communities Team (MCT) is recognised for their high level of skill and expertise working with refugees and people seeking asylum and in the area of multiculturalism and immigration. The team applies a humanitarian approach to developing participant skills and promotes the unique strengths of individuals, families and communities of refugee, migrant and asylum seeker background. The MCT programs focus on children, families, employment, small business and training, community capacity building, advocacy and influencing.

Position Purpose

The Multicultural Communities Team (MCT) was established in 1956 and the Senior Manager will lead the team through a transformational change process by:

• ensuring that services are aligned to the Brotherhood of St Laurence strategic direction

• developing, demonstrating and fostering capability of programs that meet the needs of the individuals, families and communities
• focussing on financial sustainability to ensure longevity of programs

• advocating for change in the way services are delivered with government and other institutions
• working collaboratively within the WESSI Senior Management team to achieve common goals.

To meet the selection criteria, candidates will require:

• Experience in change management, strategic leadership and advocacy in social policy including a demonstrated track record in representation at senior levels of Government, community organisation and private sector.
• Knowledge and experience in the not for profit services and understanding of the barriers to social inclusion of disadvantaged people and communities.
• Experience leading and managing an effective team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage service/product development and delivery including the capacity to develop innovative ideas and opportunities to securing funding and partnerships with Government, philanthropy and private sector.
• Well-developed communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills at a high level, including proven public presentation skills and submissions writing.
• Understanding of and sympathy with the values and ideals of the Brotherhood.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications such as business, social work, education or social enterprise would be an advantage.

This is a full time position working 38 hours per week for a maximum term of 12 months. Salary will be based on skills and experience plus superannuation. Attractive salary packaging provisions are available to increase take home pay.

A copy of the position description can be downloaded at https://www.bsl.org.au/about/careers/jobs/ . For further information about the role phone Melinda Moore on 0490124796.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence has a vision of an Australia free of Poverty. We embrace, and value, diversity of culture, working arrangements, sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure our workforce is representative of the community that we work within. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include and welcome unique contributions of all people. We embrace and celebrate the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their skills and contribution to our organisation. Applicants should be aware that as required, we conduct police and working with children checks as we acknowledge the importance of Child Safety.