Position Description Personal Safety Initiative Statewide Coordinator Organisational context Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic) is the peak body for specialist family violence services for women and children in Victoria. We are an independent, non-government organisation. Our vision is for a world where women and children can live fulfilled lives, free from fear and violence. To achieve this, we: advocate and provide advice to government with and on behalf of our members lead innovation and influence policy, legislation and community attitudes work with our members to strengthen specialist family violence practice and build the capacity of human services work respectfully and collaboratively with all our partners. Our work is informed by the experiences of women and children affected by family violence. DV Vic is committed to the core values of equality, integrity and respect. Our values are reflected in the way we work and engage with others including our members, colleagues, and government. Read our Strategic Plan 2016-2020 for more information about what we do and where we re headed. Role Context The Personal Safety Initiative (PSI) is a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) initiative that aims to assist victim-survivors of family violence to safely remain in their homes. A pilot commenced in July 2016 delivered in the inner and outer east metropolitan regions of Melbourne and in Gippsland. An evaluation of the pilot will report in early May 2017. The statewide rollout of PSI will commence in June 2017. The PSI is a joint Commonwealth and State funded program that aligns with the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2010-2022) and recommendations from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016). It forms a key part of the Victorian Government s response to and focus on family violence. Through PSI victim-survivors will have access to the following: Intensive case management by family violence service providers including risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy and support (e.g. legal, housing matters). A Personal Safety Device ( the alarm ). Each device is fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) 1
locator that plots the user s movements using a central monitoring centre. When activated, the device will raise an alert that is received at the monitoring centre, while also activating one way audio monitoring. Safety audits by security specialists (e.g. property, personal movement) with installation of personal or home safety technologies (e.g. alarm systems). 24/7 ongoing monitoring and support by security specialists for personalised alarms, including response to activations in co-ordination with Victoria Police. 17 Personal Safety Coordinators will be based in DHHS regions and will focus on ensuring the use of Personal Safety technology are part of broader supports for women and children s safety and wellbeing. The Program will be supported by a Statewide Coordinator role at Domestic Violence Victoria to ensure a consistent, evidence-based expansion of the program. Organisational Values Respect, Equality, Integrity. Position specifications Role title: Personal Safety Initiative Statewide Coordinator Located: Melbourne CBD Classification Level / Award: DV Vic Level 6.1 Employment Period: 12 month contract (inclusive of three month probation) Remuneration: $78,526 annum; $39.74 per hour Salary sacrificing arrangements are offered within Australian Taxation Office guidelines Reporting structure: The PSI Statewide Coordinator will report to and be supervised by the Practice Development Manager. 2
Hours and basis of employment: 0.8 FTE - 32 hours per week To work within office hours of 8am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday Position Objectives Oversee the governance of PSI to effectively operationalise the initiative statewide Develop and foster sound working relationships with external agencies and professionals to promote and strengthen PSI Provide strategic advice and guidance to support the operation of PSI across DHHS Local Areas in accordance with the PSI Operational Guidelines Support high quality processes and communication channels between delivery partners for effective implementation of PSI at both the local and statewide levels Enable consistent and high quality data and information flow to monitor and continuously improve PSI. Position Responsibilities 1. Operations and Administration Statewide Provide a conduit between Domestic Violence Victoria and DHHS for Personal Safety Initiative operations Review and improve administrative systems in order to enhance efficiency and effectiveness Facilitate a community of practice that includes peer support and the development and sharing of content and practice resources. 2. Funding and authorisation responsibilities Where requested, liaise with Regional Coordinators on client applications, eligibility and Property Safety Audits (likely only in anomalous cases) Review and decide on cases that fall outside the PSI eligibility criteria but are recommended for PSI consideration by SFVA case managers and/or PSI Regional Coordinators When triggered, authorise and coordinate the process of evidence retrieval and liaise between 3
Registered Monitoring Centres (RMC), case managers and clients. 3. Ongoing operational support for Personal Safety Initiative Regional Coordinators Provide central point of contact for Personal Safety Regional Coordinators to support the operation of PSI at a local level Problem solving, troubleshooting and resource sharing within and across the regions Provide advice and oversight of identified cases. 4. Professional Development Provide induction and orientation support to regional Personal Safety Coordinators Develop and deliver training for PSI Regional Coordinators on their role responsibilities, PSI operational, technology, and funding processes and requirements Develop and present quarterly practice development sessions that identify emerging issues and gaps, share skills, identify opportunities for systemic improvements and develop broader communication mechanisms. 5. Delivery Partner support, coordination and liaison Establish and maintain strong networks with all PSI delivery partners including Victoria Police, Specialist Family Violence Agencies (SFVA) and Registered Monitoring Centres (RMC) Provide clear communication and support to facilitate collaborative working relationships between all partner agencies Work with DHHS and Victoria Police, to inform processes and protocols and support quality improvement of PSI. 6. Governance and Sector relationships Represent PSI statewide at meetings and forums as directed Be a key advisor and representative of the PSI Steering Committee Contribute to the broader practice and policy development work of DV Vic and represent DV Vic in external forums when required. 7. Monitoring, analysis and oversight Monitor and synthesise the reports received from Registered Security Agencies Monitor and synthesise regional reports in order to report on PSI statewide Document key learnings and issues that arise during implementation and delivery to support continuous improvement and evaluation of the initiative. 4
Key Selection Criteria Essential 1. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, or commensurate experience in the public or community sector. 2. Demonstrated experience in providing specialist family violence services for women and their children including those from diverse communities. 3. High level technical expertise in practice responses to family violence including a demonstrated understanding of the assessment of risk in relation to family violence. 4. A comprehensive understanding of the complex nature and dynamics of family violence including the impact of family violence on women and children. 5. High level conceptual and project management skills, including a demonstrated ability to source, analyse, synthesise and present complex information. 6. Strong capacity for self-direction with a capacity to set and pursue work responsibilities independently. 7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to provide concise, accurate and timely information. 8. Capacity to professionally represent the organisation in a range of settings and to work strategically and collaboratively with professionals across sectors to achieve collective goals. 9. Advanced personal and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated experience in contributing positively within a team, and the ability to lead, inspire and motivate others. 10. Capacity to work flexibly in a dynamic work environment, with demonstrated problem solving and troubleshooting capability in situations of ambiguity. Desirable A comprehensive understanding of the Victorian family violence service system. Knowledge of the political and government initiatives driving family violence reform and of policy and law informing responses to violence against women including recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Family Violence and subsequent work to reform system responses, and the ability to share this knowledge. Experience in family violence programs to facilitate safety in the home and/or experience with new technologies in responding to family violence. Expertise in designing and delivering professional development programs. Understanding of justice responses to family violence including knowledge of the Family Violence Intervention Order process and supporting clients through the justice system. 5
Application Process Application process Interested persons should send a current resumé with a covering letter addressing the key selection criteria to: Fiona McCormack, CEO Applications close: COB Friday 5 May 2017 Contact for further information: Catherine Plunkett Ph: 9921 0828 or admin@dvvic.org.au DV Vic seeks female applicants (EO Exemption no: A48/2012) Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered. Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to be considered for this job. DV Vic values diversity and encourages women from diverse backgrounds to apply 6