POSITION DESCRIPTION

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE HIPPY Australia Consultant DEPARTMENT HIPPY Australia DIVISION Community Services OCCUPANT Vacant DATE APPROVED October 2015 APPROVED BY National Manager HIPPY Australia ORGANISATIONAL PURPOSE Established during the Great Depression, the Brotherhood of St Laurence was the vision and creation of Fr Gerard Tucker, a man who combined his Christian faith with a fierce determination to end social injustice. The BSL has developed into an independent organisation with strong Anglican and community links. Today, we continue to fight for an Australia free of poverty. The Brotherhood of St Laurence employs over 600 employees and is supported by 1200 volunteers. We are developing social and community enterprises to address inequality by forming partnerships between government, business, community and welfare organisations. As well as providing services and programs for families and elderly on low incomes, refugees, young people and the unemployed, we research the causes and effects of poverty and advocate national and local policy solutions for people who are disadvantaged. The BSL is currently focusing its work on strategies to alleviate and prevent poverty for those people most at risk at the four transition stages considered critical to their future well being: the early years, the years from school to work, periods in and out of work and retirement and ageing. The Brotherhood Strategic Plan for has three key priorities which are supported by action plans for each of its Divisions and major programs. These are to: Orient our work so that we engage more with and strengthen the communities where we work so better reflecting local aspirations, and in doing so, help the broader community understand our work and become involved. Contribute to policy, service development and delivery that will strengthen communities, particularly those on the outskirts of major cities and in country areas, most at risk of poverty and disadvantage. Take steps to generate income from diverse sources to ensure our organisation remains strong. Each of these priorities is underpinned by well structured, researched and documented body of knowledge to support all elements of work within the Brotherhood.

2 DEPARTMENTAL PURPOSE HIPPY is a two year structured home based early childhood learning and parenting program that empowers parents and carers to be their child s first teacher. The program builds the confidence and skills of parents and carers to create a positive learning environment to prepare their child for school. The program also offers some parents and carers supported pathway to employment and fosters local community leadership. HIPPY will be located in 100 communities across Australia and the Brotherhood sublicenses local community organisations to deliver HIPPY in disadvantaged communities. In 2016, HIPPY will be delivering to around 4,750 age 4 and 5 year old children. The Brotherhood of St Laurence has exclusive licensing rights from HIPPY International to run HIPPY in Australia and manages the program nationally. BSL undertakes the principal provider role and HIPPY Australia leads strategic policy, planning and innovation for HIPPY. HIPPY also has responsibility for managing the funding and ensuring the fidelity of the HIPPY model including providing training, materials and resources to the local HIPPY providers, undertaking site support and managing quality assurance. How does HIPPY work? Parents and children enroll in HIPPY in the year before the child commences formal school and the family participates in the program for 2 years. Each local HIPPY provider employs a coordinator and a team of home tutors to deliver HIPPY in the home, run parent groups and connect families to local services. Over 60 weeks of structured education focused activities, the home tutor instructs the parents on teaching their child. The children's activities are designed for everywhere learning and support a child's development particularly social, motor, literacy, language and numeracy skills. Parents and/or carers also learn about their child's learning and development process. HIPPY is a free and voluntary program. HIPPY is consistent with key policy initiatives across Australia (such as Australian Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Early Development Census) and reflects the Australian Government s commitment to achieve better early childhood outcomes for all Australians. HIPPY also has a focus on addressing the 'Closing the Gap' on Indigenous disadvantage. POSITION PURPOSE The HIPPY Consultant will: manage the relationship and partnership between HIPPY Australia and HIPPY providers; provide ongoing support and visit up to 12 HIPPY Providers to ensure high quality program delivery; lead or participate in developing innovations and undertaking projects to assist HIPPY to achieve its outcomes; and contribute to achievement of the HIPPY Strategic Plan and BSL Reconciliation Action Plan. 2

3 KEY REPSONSIBILITIES 1. HIPPY Program Delivery Establish and manage collaborative working relationships with Providers delivering HIPPY in communities across Australia; Provide support and guidance to HIPPY Providers in order to effectively deliver the HIPPY model; Ensure HIPPY is delivered in accordance with the HIPPY International License and HIPPY Sub-License and Funding Agreements; Participate, plan and deliver relevant training to HIPPY Coordinators, Line Managers and Tutors; Within a Quality Assessment Framework, undertake Site Visits to ensure all Sites are delivering the HIPPY program consistently, effectively and maintaining the fidelity of the HIPPY model; Work closely with the Senior Consultant and Performance Team to analyse the performance of HIPPY sites participate in discussions and provide regular reports; Contribute towards the development of the HIPPY Australia s thinking, service delivery and community engagement in the early years for the parents and children in disadvantaged communities; 2. Program Support Contribute towards the training, professional development and networking of staff employed by HIPPY Providers; Work as part of a project team, and lead projects to improve service delivery, performance, quality and the overall achievement of HIPPY Australia s objectives and strategic plan; Work closely with the HIPPY Australia team to establish reflective practice in order to inform, develop and support good practice for all Sites; Contribute towards the evaluation and research projects as identified by HIPPY Australia; Contribute towards the delivery of HIPPY communication strategies; Work with Senior Consultants to assess and update program materials, manuals, resources, training modules and access digital technology as required. 3. Stakeholder Management Maintain regular contact with HIPPY providers through phone calls, s and visits to HIPPY sites encouraging networking and sharing of ideas and strategies; Work closely with Senior Consultants and the Senior Manager Program and Performance on issues, problem solving and developments at sites; Establish and maintain strong partnerships with local HIPPY providers, early learning organisations and community bodies; Represent HIPPY Australia within Brotherhood of St Laurence to local HIPPY providers, government and external forums as required; Promote HIPPY as an early childhood learning and parenting program at national and state levels and within the early childhood field. 3

4 4. Multi-Skilling The incumbent may be directed to carry out such duties as are within the level of the position and scope of the incumbent s competence and training as directed by the Manager. Work within the team to provide support and assistance as required to meet objectives. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Reports To: Internal Liaisons External Liaisons HIPPY Australia Senior Consultant HIPPY Australia team, HIPPY Early Learning Network, BSL Corporate Services, BSL Research and Policy Centre. HIPPY Providers, State and Territory Education and Early Childhood Providers, Local Government and Community Groups. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Relevant tertiary qualifications in education, community or human services; Demonstrated experience working in the early childhood, education, community or human services sector as well as in contract and project management; Knowledge of and experience in working with children and families; Well developed interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability deliver training and group facilitation; Ability to build effective relationships across all levels, both internally and externally and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isalnder communities is desirable; Ability to identify and resolve problems and make appropriate recommendations; Well developed organisational and time management skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team Demonstrated knowledge and competency in Microsoft Office Programs including Word, Excel and Outlook; A current Victorian Drivers Licence. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Conditions as per the BSL Community Services Enterprise Agreement (2014); This is a permanent full time position working 38 hours per week or 40 hours per week on the ADO system; Salary will be in the range of $59, $65, per annum, based on qualifications and experience, plus superannuation. Attractive salary packaging options are available; Specific work requirements include significant state and interstate travel with costs covered in accordance with the BSL Travel Policy; It is a condition of employment that all employees take responsibility for a safe and healthy work environment and have a commitment to equal employment opportunity and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment; 4

5 All BSL employees must be eligible to work in Australia; All employees are expected to behave in accordance with the principles of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Code of Ethical Behaviour; The Brotherhood of St Laurence is an Equal Opportunity employer and appoints staff on the basis of merit; A standard Police Check is required; A six month probationary period applies; A Working with Children Check is required for this position; The Brotherhood of St Laurence operates a smoke-free work environment Manager Signature Date Incumbent s Signature Date 5