Settlement Worker, Family Support Specialist (1FTE x 2 positions)

Summary of position

 The Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) (MIC) is seeking two experienced caseworkers and group program facilitators to work in the Settlement Engagement and Transition Services (SETS) program, providing capacity building and support for people from refugee and family stream migrant backgrounds who have recently settled in Australia and reside in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.  

The position has a focus on supporting individuals and families who have experienced, are currently experiencing or are at risk of experiencing family violence.  This includes casework with victim/survivors and their children, including working with women who wish to remain living with their partners who have used violence and working with men who have used violence.  This will include supporting colleagues in the SETS team to better work with individuals and families experiencing family conflict, family breakdown and/or family violence.  The position is also responsible for organising information sessions for community groups and psycho-educational programs for women and separate programs for men and financial and digital literacy programs for women, in partnership with bi-cultural colleagues in the MIC SETS team and/or external agencies where appropriate.  The position will also work closely with the MIC Manager and the Family Violence Project Worker to support the organisation to align to the MARAM framework.  

Key Result Areas

 Provision of effective casework services that assist people from refugee and family stream migrant backgrounds who settle in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

• Provision of effective casework services that support individuals and families who have experienced, are experiencing or who are at risk of experiencing family violence, family conflict and/or family breakdown.
• Develop and facilitate community information sessions focussed on increased understanding of what constitutes family violence and support services available.
• Develop and facilitate separate groups for women and men that support them to explore gender equality, strategies for resolving conflict without violence and anger management strategies, in partnership with other agencies.
• Develop and facilitate digital and financial literacy programs for women
• Develop and maintain strong links and effective partnerships with other agencies and service providers working in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR).
• Participate in the development and implementation of effective and innovative responses to identified needs of refugees and people who settle in Australia under the family migration program who have low English proficiency through activities that include working collaboratively with other service providers in the EMR.
• Advocate on behalf of refugees and people who settle in Australia under the family migration program who have low English proficiency with the aim of improving their access to services and resources.
• Work alongside the MIC Manager, Senior Project Officer and Family Violence Project Worker to support the MIC to align to the MARAM framework.

Knowledge and experience

• Casework/Advocacy/Community Development/Group Facilitation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of, and experience with the issues faced by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly newly arrived refugees and people who arrive in Australia as family stream migrants 
• Working collaboratively with staff and volunteers from external agencies and community groups in developing, delivering and evaluating services that effectively address the needs of people from refugee and migrant backgrounds
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in using interpreters
• A strong customer service focus
• Sound administrative skills
• Experience in complying with the reporting requirements of government in respect to funding received

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated knowledge of the needs and challenges facing people from refugee and/or migrant backgrounds who are new to Australia
• Demonstrated experience in providing effective casework services and community development activities to people from refugee and/or migrant backgrounds with low English language proficiency
• Demonstrated experience in planning and facilitating group programs and/or information sessions, particularly working with families with young children and/or experience in facilitating playgroups
• Demonstrated experience working with victim survivors and/or perpetrators of family violence
• An understanding of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Management (MARAM) Framework, Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme and Child Safety Information Sharing Scheme
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining effective partnerships across both the government and community sectors
• Sound administrative skills
• Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Sound organisational and time management skills
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office programs
• A current Victorian Driver’s Licence

Desirable

• Tertiary qualifications in social work or related welfare fields
• Completion of MARAM training and/or an understanding of the MARAM framework, including Family Violence and Child Safety Information Sharing Schemes
• Knowledge of services in the EMR

Position dimensions

• The position reports to the Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) Manager
• Work in co-operation with staff and volunteers of the Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne)
• Manage and effectively implement project objectives as stated in the agreement between Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) and the Department of Home Affairs
• Successful candidates will need to produce a clear and current Police Check and Working with Children’s Check