POSITION DESCRIPTION Position: Community Development Worker 9 month fixed-term contract (with possibility of extension) commencing ASAP. Classification: Queensland Social, Community, Home Care, and Disability Services Industry Award (2010) Level 5.1 5.3 Salary: $38.88 - $40.87 (hourly rate) or $75,816 to $79,696 pro rata per annum. Generous salary sacrifice package and other additional benefits. Hours: 60 hours per fortnight (9AM to 5PM Monday to Friday with some flexibility in days worked) Accountability: Board of DVAC, CEO, Service Manager and Staff Team. Location: Ipswich region catchment Mission Passionate leaders creating freedom from gender violence. Purpose DVAC works with individuals and communities to eliminate, prevent and respond to domestic and family violence, and sexual violence by: Collaboratively providing quality support services; Challenging social norms and structures that enable people to use violence/enable the use of violence; Building awareness and capacity within the community; and Encouraging egalitarian relationships. Values Feminism informs our understanding of the nature of violence in our communities and guides the way we work to address it. In delivering our services, DVAC is committed to:
Safety A subjective and complex human right, which is the basis for a rich and meaningful life; Integrity A commitment to act ethically and transparently, with congruence and goodwill ( walking the talk ) Community Belonging and connectedness Justice Equal access to the benefits of society and human rights Innovation Creatively exploring possibilities and responding to evolving needs The Organisation The Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC) is a not-for-profit organisation located in Ipswich servicing the local government areas of Ipswich City Council, Somerset Regional Council (excluding Kilcoy), Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council (excluding Beaudesert) and Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. Since April 1994, DVAC has been committed to working with our communities towards the prevention and elimination of domestic and family violence. To this end, DVAC is actively involved in supporting women, young people and children who are experiencing or who have experienced domestic and family violence, supporting men who are actively committed to behaviour change as well as providing information and education to the community at large. DVAC provides a range of services that include: Telephone information, referral, advocacy and support services to women and children; Court support for women in our three regional courts; Counselling services for women and children; Group work for women, children and young people; Safety upgrades for women and children wanting to stay in their homes; Schools community education sessions; Providing professional training and resources to other service providers and stakeholders; and Community development, education and awareness raising events. DVAC is also funded to provide sexual violence support services to those who have experienced historical sexual violence in the Ipswich region. This distinct program of DVAC, the Service Against Sexual Violence, commenced in June 2016, and provides counselling and support services. DVAC has also been funded from August 2016, to deliver a group program, ReNew, for young men (and their mothers) who are using violence against their mother and/or siblings. This program is being delivered in partnership with Talera Services Carinity. In addition to this, DVAC works closely with our communities and key stakeholders to develop and maintain an integrated response to domestic and family violence issues. This role involves encouraging other key stakeholders to engage in collaborative responses to domestic and family violence issues throughout our community to ensure safety for women and children and accountability for people using violence.
Equal Employment Opportunities DVAC values diversity in our workforce, and as such encourages applications from women from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island backgrounds. DVAC also encourages women from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for vacant positions. DVAC recognises and celebrates the unique benefits that employing a diverse group of women with a broad range of life experiences, brings to the organisation. DVAC has an exemption under Section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD) and it is a general occupational requirement that all applicants identify as female. Position Summary The Community Development Worker is primarily responsible for leading and facilitating community development initiatives across the Ipswich catchment region serviced by the Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC). The Community Development Worker will work alongside key stakeholders, service providers and community members in the urban and rural centres serviced by DVAC to develop initiatives and projects aimed at preventing domestic and family violence, educating the community, and providing better service integration in responding to victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Community Development Worker will also use collaborative processes within the DVAC team to develop and lead select community awareness raising initiatives across the region serviced by DVAC, including an activity for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and Sexual Violence Awareness Month each year, as well as quarterly Practice Forums with the support and participation of the staff team. The Community Development Worker will assist the leadership team in facilitating relevant local regional service provider network meetings, such as the Ipswich Anti-domestic violence Community Taskforce (IACT) and the Ipswich Sexual Assault Network. The work performed by the DVAC involves frontline crisis assistance work supporting individuals and families impacted by to domestic and family violence and/or sexual violence. All staff employed by DVAC will be privy to or take part in traumatic conversations on a regular basis. In addition to the training and support provided by DVAC, the successful applicant will have to be mindful of their own personal wellbeing. Preferred Qualifications and Experience Possession of relevant tertiary qualifications in the human services field; Experience and skills in community development, event management and community education; Experience and skills in working in community based organisations utilising a feminist perspective; Knowledge regarding feminist practice and its application in working against domestic and sexual violence; Experience and skills in working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
Well developed interpersonal and communication skills, including networking and submission-writing skills; and Current drivers licence. Selection Criteria 1. What is your knowledge of the issues affecting women and children experiencing domestic and family violence & sexual violence and how do you understand the social, political and gendered nature of domestic violence from a feminist perspective? 2. How have you developed your experience in community development work, community education and project/ event management, and what are the skills that you have gained? 3. What are the key theories underpinning your work practices in relation to community development and engagement? 4. How have you built and maintained positive, effective and collaborative working relationships with a range of different stakeholders, including culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities? 5. How have you developed your ability to manage projects independently and successfully as well as manage time and budgets effectively and prioritise competing demands? 6. How do you show support and promote collaboration amongst other staff members in a community based organisation, and what strategies do you use when working autonomously and are they different from when you are working as part of a team? Responsibilities and Duties Service Delivery: Develop and participate in local service provider networks in order to promote domestic and family violence prevention/ sexual violence prevention and DVAC service provision to community members, including leading an annual focus group with women supported by the organisation; Support and resource service providers and other community groups in relation to responding to domestic and family violence through networking, capacity building, identifying training needs, referring to relevant service programs as needed; Leading the development of activities for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, Sexual Violence Awareness Month, and 16 Days of Activism each year and other relevant activities throughout the year in accordance with defined organisational priorities. This includes any event management required, with the support from the team; Lead DVAC s social media strategy on defined platforms and in line with organisational vision, priorities and values;
Promote the service, events and awareness raising campaigns using printed media, radio and other forms of media alongside the CEO and the Service Manager; Develop and participate in relevant forums in relation to domestic and family violence and service provision to women; Work collaboratively alongside key stakeholders, service providers and community members in the urban and rural centres serviced by DVAC in the Ipswich catchment area to develop initiatives and projects targeting domestic and family violence; Participate in fundraising activities as required alongside the CEO and staff team; Coordinating Volunteers engaging in Social Action activities including recruitment, training and facilitating meetings; and Work alongside culturally and linguistically diverse communities representatives in the urban and rural centres serviced by DVAC to develop initiatives aimed at raising awareness of domestic and family violence and increasing access to the services offered by DVAC as time permits. Staff Team: Participate in the development of a supportive and safe working environment for all staff, including clear communication paths and consultative decision making practices; Abide by the DVAC communication commitment and associated procedures in relation to respectful and direct communication; Actively prepare for, and participate in regular performance appraisals with the CEO and Service Manager; Undertake internal and external professional supervision to ensure accountability of work practices and professional development in relation to the direct work with women and organisational practices; Participate in regular and ongoing consultation with the supervisor and management team, and the staff team where necessary and appropriate, to discuss issues that may impact on work performance; Participate in support systems within the organisation including staff meetings, team supervision, staff appraisals, and informal contact; and Provide and receive peer support as a part of the staff team. Organisational Responsibilities: Participate in the identification of trends to inform appropriate service development; Where relevant to your role, and where capacity allows, participate in and contribute to the development of funding submissions, in collaboration with the CEO; Ensure the provision of culturally, gender and age appropriate services to clients in accordance with service values and requirements; Advocate on behalf of the service within the funded area;
Occasionally represent the service at external forums when requested and available; Participate in the monitoring of legislative and policy developments in regard to sexual violence; Participate in media activities where appropriate; Participate in planning, policy development and other organisational activities; Participate in completing program specific monthly written reports to the CEO and the Board as well as completing data entry for quarterly reports for the funding body in consultation with the Service Manager; Participate in staff meetings fortnightly and Board meetings as required; Comply and contribute to the established accountability systems in place in the organisation; and Undertake any other duties as lawfully directed by the CEO or Service Manager. Accountability The CD Worker is required to work within the philosophy, objectives and policies of the organisation including: working within a feminist framework; working as a member of the staff team; and utilising consultative and collaborative processes. The CD Worker is directly responsible to the Integrated Response Manager and will report to her on all service delivery related aspects of the position. For all other organisational aspects the CD Worker will report to the Service Manager or CEO. The CD Worker is ultimately accountable to the Board as the employing body; however, the immediate line of accountability rests with the Integrated Response Manager. When the Integrated Response Manager is away or unavailable, the CD Worker will report to the Service Manager. The CD Worker will comply with the established processes for ensuring the transparency of all decisions and actions taken in the course of her work. The CD Worker will also be accountable to the CEO, the Board, the staff team and the consumers of the service. Applying for this position Closing date is 9AM Monday April 23 rd, 2018. Please send a current CV along with a no more than 2 page document, addressing the selection criteria to: The Selection Panel PO BOX 964 Ipswich, QLD 4305 Or email ea@dvac.org.au using the subject line CD WORKER EOI