ParentsNext Community Services. Program Manager. Lentara UnitingCare

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Position title Program area Reports to Supervises Award / Certified Agreement Classification Community Development & Parent Engagement Officer ParentsNext Community Services Program Manager Nil Social, Community, Homecare & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS) - Level 5 Lentara UnitingCare Lentara UnitingCare is one of 21 agencies who form the broader UnitingCare network in Victoria & Tasmania. Currently, this network is merging to become a single entity, and has now appointed one board and one CEO. The combined agency will be known as 'Uniting (Victoria-Tasmania)' and this role along with current ongoing employees will be employed under the Uniting ABN from 1 July As we expect to see gradual changes occurring; our focus remains on continuing to provide high quality services to our clients and the local community and provide opportunities for new and existing employees to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice." Our Purpose To inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. Our Values Our values and guiding behaviours underpin how we treat each other, our service users and the communities that we serve. Our values are: Imaginative Respectful Bold Compassionate We challenge convention, explore new possibilities and dare to dream for a better future We act with honesty and integrity, and open our hearts to all people without exception At Lentara we: affirm cultural diversity show compassion for the vulnerable encourage people to value and use their strengths advocate on behalf of those who are disadvantaged challenge inequity and injustice and work for social change. We are nurturing, generous and thoughtful in our words and deeds. We face injustice head on and stand up for what is right and true with confidence and strength. The services of Lentara are provided to all people irrespective of cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or disability. Lentara is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children, families and individuals.

2 Location The principal workplace location for this position is based at Broadmeadows. This position will also be required to work from Lentara s Craigieburn Office and will be required to work within other community based locations. Position Summary Lentara is a provider of ParentsNext, a federally funded program which works with parents to assist them to identify their education and employment goals, develop a pathway to achieve their goals and link them to activities and services in the Hume community. ParentsNext staff have the flexibility to tailor assistance to meet a parent s individual needs and work with a range of other organisations. This position will include planning, developing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating a range of community/social initiatives as determined by the organisation. These initiatives will be applied by using community development strategies and working collaboratively with key agencies and develop sustainable partnerships. The key components of this position is to: 1. To manage and coordinate ParentsNext events and activities. 2. To work in partnership with the local neighbourhood centre and family networks, to facilitate local participation and access to facilities and services 3. To use sound community development and engagement methodologies to identify Participants strengths, needs and aspirations, and uses this knowledge to develop and coordinate a range of responsive activities and events for Participants and their children 4. Increases opportunities for Participants to actively participate in the Project by supporting skill development and access to community information, services, networks and volunteering Key Responsibilities and Duties Community and Interagency Relations Engage the community in meaningful dialogue, including through social media, to achieve optimal community outcomes. Work co-operatively with other team members on community development initiatives and projects. Facilitate and assist development through partnerships to develop viable project plans for new activities and events. Initiatives to include people from a culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background (CALD) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Develop and maintain knowledge of current local community services, activities and programs and of current research informing practice Build partnerships and networks within the community to effectively respond to the needs of Participants and their children Develop an effective community engagement plan that includes Participants input and feedback processes and contributes to the effective development of programs, activities and services that meet the needs of Participants and their children Professional Standards / Development Demonstrate effective time management to achieve established goals and objectives Adhere to professional standards Maintain working knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements of the programs Ensure quality products are offered to participants Ensure effective planning, implementation and evaluation of events and activities

3 Demonstrated knowledge of community development and practices Demonstrating experience in group facilitation and community engagement Communication Provide participants with feedback in a timely manner Provides the Program team and/or line manager with appropriate recommendations in writing and follow up requirements Attend regular meeting with Lentara representatives Create and maintain local networks with the community, relevant agencies and community organisations Leadership and Teamwork Actively participate in meetings as required Work co-operatively with other team members on community development initiatives and projects Service Delivery Participate in the gathering and analysis of customer feedback to establish the value, satisfaction and expectations for services provided by ParentsNext Build relationships and networks with Participants and community groups to encourage their participation in local activities and projects, with particular emphasis on hard to engage/ disengaged Participants Support Participants goals by the provision and coordination of a range of activities that increase Participants knowledge, confidence and skills. Compliance Ensure all Participants recommendations comply with Lentara s contractual requirements Keep excellent records of all Participants involvement in activities, reports, surveys, program evaluation and communications to Participants. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Mandatory Requirements Current National Police Record Check Current Working With Children s Card (WWCC) Current Australian Drivers Licence Professional Experience Tertiary qualifications, preferably in Community Development or similar field Experience in a similar role; preferred

4 Key Knowledge Areas, Personal Experience and Attributes Strong verbal and written communication skills Good negotiation skills Experience in initiating, planning, coordinating, and evaluating successful and responsive projects and programs that meet the strengths and needs of Participants and their children, in collaboration with key stakeholders, government and non-government agencies. Substantial experience in community development including working with diverse populations Ability to work well both autonomously and as part of a team Experience working within an organisation undergoing growth and change Good understanding and skills in effective community engagement ability to consult and facilitate consultative processes in decision making processes that are inclusive, particularly with isolated and hard to engage Participants Experience in planning community engagement projects and facilitating groups to input projects, plans and other activities Must be proficient with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint) and have experience in using an online database Self-motivation and efficient organisational and time management skills Confident, engaging, and has capacity to form relationships with a diverse range of people. Additional Information Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S): All employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all hazards, incidents and injuries as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S as per the OH&S Act 2004, OH&S policies, procedures and guidelines. Pre-existing injury: Before any person can be appointed to this position it is a requirement that they disclose any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position. Client Safeguards and Wellbeing: In providing quality service provision, Lentara complies with the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 to ensure the rights and wellbeing of every individual are recognized, respected, protected and fulfilled. Keeping Children Safe We are a child safe organization. All volunteer and remunerated employees are required to: Observe our Keeping Children Safe Policies and procedures Engage and follow strategies to actively ensure the safety, protection and well-being of children who come into association with us. Equal opportunity: Lentara is an equal opportunity employer. All staff have a responsibility to be familiar with the Harassment, Discrimination and Workplace Bullying Policy and have knowledge and understanding of the principles of anti-discrimination and equal opportunity and the ability to interpret and uphold these principals and standards into practice. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): All employees will contribute to Lentara s Quality Management System to ensure compliance with relevant standards and the principles of quality improvement by continually monitoring, evaluating and improving both individual and service / program performance. Salary packaging is available to all staff.

5 Relationship to Career Development and Review This position description operates in conjunction with and forms part of the annual review and career development process. An initial review will take place at the end of the induction and probationary period. Position Incumbent I have read and understood the position description. I acknowledge that the description of the role is an outline and guide the necessary tasks of the range of professional activities needed to undertake the role, successfully. I understand that an annual review of the position description may occur and may be amended from time to time as organisational needs change. Changes to the position description will be consistent with the purpose for which the position was established. Employee Name Employee Signature Date Manager Name Manager Signature Date