Position Description

The position

Title:Policy and Projects Officer (Communities and Diversity)

Work Location:Suite G06, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton

Employment Type:Full-time (fixed term contract – 12 months)

Somework is required outside normal working hours– the VLGA has a time off in lieu policy

Salary:$75k per annum plus SGC superannuation(currently at 9.5%)

About us

The VLGA is a membership based organisation and peak body for councillors, community leaders and local governments. We work to support and strengthen partnerships and collaboration between

communities and the local structure that governs them.

Our work has a focus on supporting, mentoring, developing and enhancing the knowledge and practice of councillors in governance and leadership; advocating for sustainable sector reform; and delivering projects and developing tools that assist councils to connect with their communities.

Building responsive and democratic local governance is at the heart of our work

Diversity and Communities

  • Diversity as a value underlying good governance is critical, as it recognises the inherent imbalance of power between and within various communities.
  • Values such as diversity are not actions in themselves. The VLGA sees diversity as a driver of actions to support wider good governance and systemic change towards a more inclusive society.
  • Diversity in communities can and must be harnessed to strengthen representation and effective decision making by all levels of government.
  • A diversity strategy helps to implement the VLGA Local Governance Framework and assists the VLGA to identify missing voices in local democratic processes, recognise barriers, implement actions and evaluate progress.
  • Increased awareness of VLGA goals and our work can support community capacity for positive involvement in local democratic, financial and functional governance resulting in better outcomes for communities.
  • Build VLGA’s engagement with diverse and community groups and organisations by extending the hand of invitation to work in partnership and collaboration.

Position objectives

Specific role

  • Build on and extend existing work aimed at increasing the numbers and diversity of women participating in local government, particularly as candidates;
  • Identify opportunities to continue its work in support of the LGBTIQ community’s participation in local governments, especially as candidates;
  • Strengthen VLGA’s work of actively supporting the interest of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men in their local governments;
  • Explore opportunities to expand VLGA’s work with groups of our population whose voices are often not heard in local democratic decision making due to systemic issues - such as young people, migrant and refugee communities, people with disabilities, and others; and
  • Engage and develop collaborative partnerships with community sector organisations and networks who share common values or goals with the VLGA.

General role as part of the VLGA team

  • contribute to VLGA response to a broad range of policy issues that affect communities and local government;
  • undertake policy research, analysis and writing through a practitioner lens;
  • promote a positive image of democratic local governments, community participation in good governance and the VLGA’s contribution to these; and
  • provide advice and support, information and opportunities for networking and direct services to VLGA members.

Central to this position is a high level of skill and experience in engaging with a diverse range of community stakeholders whose operations intersect with local government.

Organisational relationships

Reports to:CEO

Supervises/Manages:Not applicable

Internal Liaisons:All staff and Board members

External Liaisons:VLGA local government members, including mayors, council delegates, councillors and officers

Community members and future community members

Partners and stakeholders

Key result areas

  • Liaison with identified key community stakeholders on issues of mutual interest;
  • Contribute to the VLGA’s active database of key issues, key contacts and key projects;
  • Evaluate the relevance and impact of key external initiatives and partnerships on VLGA membership and the community;
  • Provide advice on VLGA operations to the CEO;
  • Represent the VLGA at meetings, forums and workshops;
  • Seek opportunities for partnerships and fundingof relevant projects;
  • Provide regular updates to the VLGA Board through the CEO on key initiatives and projects; and
  • To assist in the preparation of reports, briefings and submissions for the CEO, Board and VLGA staff.

Key skills and competencies

  • Sector awareness: in depth understanding in one or more of the following: local government, community development/community engagement, social justice, the not-for-profit sector;
  • Communication: demonstrated capacity to communicate with internal and external stakeholders on key issues using a variety of media; listen to and assimilate information from others; and present written information in a manner appropriate to purpose and audience.
  • Planning and organisation: demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and organise own workload methodically and efficiently; plan and track progress on work tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Teamwork: demonstrated ability to manage internal projects and participate as partners in external projects; co-operative sharing of information, empathy and respect for others’ ideas and input.
  • Initiative: proactive and self-starting, identify opportunities and act upon them, originate action and actively influence events.
  • Flexibility: be adaptable, receptive to new ideas, respond and adjust easilyto changing work demands and circumstances.
  • Problem solving: demonstrated analytical skills in social policy or a related field; high level of competence in complex problem solving and decision making.
  • Public representation: Ability to represent the VLGA in a professional manner when dealing with a diverse range of external contacts.
  • IT: working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of programs, web-based and social networking programs.

Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas (or equivalent) will be highly regarded

  • social policy analysis and implementation
  • community development
  • project management
  • local government

How to Apply

Applications must be in writing, containing a cover letter of not more than three pages outlining applicant’s competencies, skills and experiences. A current resume is required with the application, ideally with the names of at least two referees.

Queries regarding this position can be made to Kathryn Arndt on (03) 9349 7999, or

Applications are to be sent via email to by COB Monday 22nd May.

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