Whittlesea Community Connections

making a real difference every day

Position Description

Position:Arabic Speaking Settlement Caseworker

Location:Shop 111, Epping Plaza, Corner Cooper & High St, Epping

Reporting to:Program Manager, Settlement Services

Whittlesea Community Connections

Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC) is an independent not for profit community organisation with a long and dynamic history as a prominent service provider in the City of Whittlesea in Melbourne’s North East. Providing a wide range of services including legal assistance, emergency relief, volunteering support, community transport, generalist casework, settlement and youth services, group work and community development initiatives, WCC has the capacity to help local people to address any barriers they may face and support them to become active, empowered and connected.

Organisational Context

WCC believes and strives for the empowerment of individuals and groups within the local community who face disadvantage, isolation and obstacles to effective community participation. The agency is committed to developing responsive approaches to meet the challenges posed by Whittlesea's changing and emerging communities and has a clear role in advocating to both services and different levels of government through both direct service and policy input. The services and programs of the agency are designed to respect and empower and are confidential and impartial. WCC is managed by a community-based, independent Board of Management.

Our Vision

WCC’s vision is for a Whittlesea in which people and agencies work together to make a positive difference to their community, ensuring that everyone has equal access to the community’s resources and services.

Position Rationale

The Arabic SpeakingSettlement Caseworker position plays a vital role within WCCs settlement team, supporting the needs of Arabic speakers, the largest language group to the region, from a wide variety of nationalities, ethnicities and faiths. In 2016 the number of Arabic speaking new arrivals is predicted to grow with a new intake of those from Iraq and Syria joining established communities. This role provides Arabic speaking newly-arrived migrants and refugees access to settlement casework, information, referral, advocacy, group-work and other community development initiatives.

The position is funded by the Australian Department of Social Services(DSS) under the Settlement Grants Program until June 2018to support the settlement of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Whittlesea, addressing the needs of people who have been in Australia from 6 months to 5 years. WCC has a partnership with Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre to deliver the Settlement Grants Program and is the key provider for Whittlesea.

WCC recognises that bicultural workers can be instrumental in the success of community engagement strategies. For this reason, WCC employs bi-cultural staff to use their cultural skills and knowledge to negotiate and communicate between communities and WCC.

Accountability

The Arabic Speaking Settlement Caseworker will be accountable to the Program Manager, Settlement Services. Accountability will be through:

  • A three-month probationary period
  • Support and supervision sessions
  • Participation in performance reviews and appraisals

Duties

Client Services

  • Provide effective support, advice and referral services to newly arrived migrants and refugees with a focus on thosefrom Arabic speaking backgrounds.
  • Provide high quality culturally competent casework and case-management to newly arrived clients, supporting them towards achieving independence and self-reliance, community connection and wellbeing. This will include assessment, planning, assertive advocacy and at times intensive assistance to clients with complex and multiple needs.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across all WCC program areas to provide a responsive, integrated and holistic service to clients.
  • Collaborate with other settlement team members to deliver a range of community information sessions, consultations, events and other community development initiativesfor new-arrivals.
  • Plan, implement and facilitate Arabic speaking women’s and men’s programs and activities, and/or other group-work strategies aimed at increasing community connections, and the confidence, skill and capacity of newly arrived community membersto settle well in Australia.
  • Manage the monthly production of The Harmony Arabic Newsletter by planning key themes and content, liaising with the editor, managing advertising, editing, maintaining a distribution list and overseeing distribution.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with key referral agencies and potential project partners in order to improve service co-ordination and referral, avoid duplication and improve local collaboration.
  • Disseminate information on issues impacting on the settlement of new arrivals and seek opportunities to advocate for structural change to reduce disadvantage and improve life opportunities for newly arrived communities, such as through representing WCC at various key network meetings.
  • Maintain strong relationships and consult with relevant community groups, members and leadersin order to develop a good understanding of community needs and aspirations, gain input on a range of issues related to program development and delivery and involve them in advocacy around emerging issues.

Organisational Development and Administration

  • Participate in local events and awareness campaigns to promote WCC and the work of the settlement team.
  • In conjunction with colleagues contributeto reports and recommendations in relation to the settlement services and programs of the agency.
  • Assist in the preparation of funding submissions and applications relevant to improving access to services and the community capacity building of new arrivals.
  • Maintain accurate and detailed client files and records and complete all relevant data collection in line with agency standards and funding body requirements.
  • Act as a signatory on Emergency Relief accounts, as required.
  • Other relevant activities as outlined in a work-plan negotiated with the Program Manager, Settlement Services.

Teamwork

  • Work with the Settlement Team to deliver agreed joint activities, programs and events.
  • Maintain a teamwork approach at all times.
  • Actively participate in program, casework and agency meetings.
  • Actively participate in formal support and supervision sessions and work appraisals with the Program Manager, Settlement Services.
  • Contribute to WCC events, projects and programs as required.

Volunteers

  • Co-ordinate the involvement of volunteers in relevant settlement groupwork, events or activities where relevant.
  • Ensure that volunteers are provided with appropriate support, guidance and directionin line with the WCC policies, procedures and practice.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

  1. Tertiary qualification and/or equivalent significant experience in social work, community development, welfare or related field.
  2. Extensive experience in the delivery ofhigh quality complex casework services to marginalised groupsand an ability advocate proactively for better outcomes for clients.
  3. High level skill in the delivery of culturally competent client support with an awareness of the particular needs of newly arrived migrants and refugees, and a good capacity to self-reflect.
  4. Anability to speak fluently and read/write in Arabic.
  5. Excellent skills in planning and facilitating group programs and managing complex group dynamics.
  1. A high standard of interpersonal, liaison and advocacy skills, with an ability to work with a diverse range of people including clients, community groups, agencies and government departments.
  2. Demonstrated effective communication skills both verbal and written includingreport writing and data collection,making presentations and in communication with clients.
  3. A commitment to the principles of equity, access and community participation with a sensitivity to diversity and strong skills in promoting inclusion.
  4. Demonstrated capacity for resourcefulness and self-motivation with an ability to manage competing and complex work priorities in a demanding environment.
  5. Strong and demonstrated commitment to teamwork.
  6. A current Victorian Drivers Licence and the right to work in Australia

Desirable

  1. An ability to speak additional community languagessuch as Assyrian, Chaldean, Kurdish (Sorani, Feyli),Persian, or other relevant languages to newly arrived communities in the City of Whittlesea.
  2. Registration as a Migration Agent with Migration Agents Registration Authority, MARA.

Salary and Conditions

  • This is a 0.8EFT (30.4 hours) per week position up to 30 June 2018 with potential for extension depending on performance and future funding.
  • Conditions will be in accordance with the Social, Community, Home and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, Level 5, Point 1-2, depending on experience.
  • A salary of $65,008to $66,400pro-rata (plus super)is offered.
  • Generous salary sacrifice arrangements, if taken up by the employee, can significantly increase take home pay.
  • 14 weeks paid maternity leave after 12 months continuous service is available.
  • The successful applicant will be required to enter into an employment contract and undertake successful Police and Working with Children’s checks.
  • WCC is anequal opportunity employer and a child safe organisation.
  • The worker is required to use her/his own vehicle for work purposes from time to time. A kilometer allowance in accordance with the award is provided.
  • Occasional after hours work may be required from time to time.

Applications process

Please forward the following documents by 5pmMonday 26thSeptember, 2015.

1. A document outlining a response to the key selection criteria and

2. A current resume including at least three referees.

Please note:Only applications that specifically address the key selection criteria will be considered.

Please mark applications confidentialand forward to:

By PostBy Email

The

Whittlesea Community Connections Inc.

Shop 111, Epping Plaza

Cnr. High and Cooper Streets

Epping 3076