Empowerment Pathways Program Manager

The Innovation Hub was launched in January 2015 with a purpose of increasing the social and economic participation of people seeking asylum. The ‘Hub’ model is founded on the inclusion of people seeking asylum into the management and delivery of services through focusing on their aspirations, strengths, skills, and experience, and their ability to contribute to the ASRC and wider community. In practice, it sees ASRC members, volunteers and staff working together in equal, inter-dependent relationships to create innovative solutions to meet the needs of people seeking asylum and build thriving communities.
 
The Innovation Hub consists of the following programs across two sites, Footscray and Dandenong:

• Empowerment Pathways (Hub Intake, Women, Youth, Community Engagement and Development)
• Employment
• Education
• Mentoring
• Volunteering
• Social Entrepreneurs Program
• Social Enterprises (ASRC Catering and ASRC Cleaning)

The Empowerment Pathways Programs form the first point of contact for new members to the Innovation Hub.   Through our individual intake appointments, we work in partnership with people seeking asylum to identify their strengths and skills, and support them with their goals. In listening deeply to our members’ hopes, dreams and aspirations, we empower them in their journey towards realising their full potential. The Empowerment Pathways Programs run both individual and group program activities that create a safe and supportive environment for members to build skills for life and work. Our program knows that empowerment looks different for everyone, but involves living a life with meaning and purpose.
 
General Responsibilities
The Empowerment Pathways Program Manager position will also support the ASRC Innovation Hub in:

• Attending regular inter-program meetings
• Actively contribute to organisation-wide initiatives where required

 
Selection Criteria
Essential:

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications in social sciences or a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated experience in managing effective teams
• High level program management skills, including program planning and financial management
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, listen and learn from others
• Demonstrated understanding of the current experiences of people seeking asylum
• Demonstrated ability to overcome complex or major challenges to deliver successful outcomes (ability to lead effectively through change).
• A strong understanding of the Australia employment market and the barriers faced by disadvantaged groups, coupled with a proven ability to support clients to overcome these barriers.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a capacity to relate well with a wide variety of people and to work in a culturally and gender sensitive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and with people who speak English as an Additional Language

Desirable:

• Experience working with volunteers