Community Capacity Building Practitioner – Congolese Community

• Full-time (1.0 EFT) or Part-time (0.8 EFT), 12-month contract position
• Based in our Sunshine office, onsite parking, close to PT
• 101k + Super + NFP Salary Packaging (based on full-time)

Rebuilding Shattered Lives – supporting refugees to recover from torture and other traumatic events

Your Impact
The Community and Sector Capacity Building (CSCB) Program is an innovative program designed to facilitate and support the development, growth and empowerment of communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to recover from pre-arrival trauma, resettle positively, and strengthen these communities across Victoria, helping them thrive. Complementing and strengthening this work, CSCB also leads a program that builds on the capacity of the refugee and humanitarian service sector, whilst enabling mainstream health, mental health and wellbeing and education sectors to better understand the refugee and asylum seeker experience. The program shall enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of these services to communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.

The Role
The CCB Practitioner is responsible for delivering regionally based community capacity building initiatives with the Congolese community (Democratic Republic of Congo background) under the management of the CCB Regional Team Leader, CCB Program Lead, and General Manager, CSCB.
  
The CCB Practitioner will deliver a range of community capacity building initiatives including but not limited to engagement with communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds (including formal and informal community leaders), community needs analyses, community-based group programs, community advisory groups, community psychoeducational programs, and program evaluation.
  
Key responsibilities include:

• Design, develop and deliver community capacity building initiatives engaging with people of Congolese background in and across regions as required.
• Develop partnerships with the Congolese community to identify community needs in a range of areas including (but not limited to) health, and mental health and wellbeing.
• Contribute knowledge and understanding of the needs and priorities of the Congolese community, to developing and co-designing trauma informed and culturally safe programs that enhance mental health and wellbeing.
• Explore and facilitate discussions with community members about their experiences of trauma, and community resettlement from a strengths-based perspective.
• Work in a co-design process with select community members to develop culturally appropriate resources and training content that can build communities’ general awareness of and strengthen their resilience and empowerment.
• Support and encourage community engagement and participation in community initiatives, allowing for individual or group support responses and/or referrals as required.

The role is available as a 12-month contract, can be full-time (1.0 EFT) or part time (0.8 EFT) and is based in our Sunshine office.

What you’ll need to successfully apply
To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the below selection criteria: 

• Relevant tertiary qualification in a community development or related health and human services discipline is desirable, but not essential.
• Experience in working with culturally diverse communities and/or communities experiencing displacement with an understanding of complex trauma and recovery models.
• Demonstrated confidence and experience in group facilitation and community engagement principles.
• Experience in applying trauma informed, person centred and strengths-based approaches with participants, families, and communities with a commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement.
• Experience in community change programs to drive innovation and create a culture of continuous improvement.
• Expertise in cross-cultural communication and practice and development.

People with multi-lingual ability (including Swahili) and experience engaging with Congolese community members are encouraged to apply.

In return 
You’ll be rewarded with:

• An attractive remuneration package of $101k plus superannuation and annual leave loading (based on full-time).
• Salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550 and novated car leasing options.
• A role with true purpose to make a difference in people’s lives.
• A welcoming, highly diverse and supportive team environment.
• Generous leave provisions with option to purchase additional leave.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.   

Foundation House is an inclusive employer
Foundation House is an equal opportunity employer; we foster a work environment that is inclusive and diverse. We are values driven and are committed to improving the life outcomes of refugees and asylum seekers.

Foundation House is a state-wide agency offering services throughout Victoria. We currently have approximately 250 staff across our five offices in Brunswick, Dallas, Dandenong, Ringwood and Sunshine, and we also provide services in partnership with other agencies in regional and rural Victoria.

Foundation House is a Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We actively play a part in combating family violence, as reflected in our organisational policies, protocols and staff development.

How to apply
Please upload your CV and a cover letter (maximum one to two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above.

Refer to our careers with us website to find the position description with detailed information about the role and for more information about our hiring process.

For enquiries please contact Justin Curreen-Harris from our HR Team via jobs@foundationhouse.org.au or by phone on 03 9389 8985.

If you think you have what it takes but don’t necessarily meet all selection criteria, please still get in touch as we would love to talk with you and see if you could be a suitable fit.

Hiring is subject to satisfactory Police Check, current Working with Children Check, and proof of the right to work and live in Australia.