StepUP PROGRAM MICROFINANCE WORKER POSITION DESCRIPTION. Full time 6months 30.4 hours per week. Manager

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1 StepUP PROGRAM MICROFINANCE WORKER POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: FTE/Hours: Team/Program area/location: Reports to: StepUP Program Microfinance Worker Full time 6months 30.4 hours per week Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc., Cnr Cinderella Drive and Vanessa Blvd., Springwood, Qld Julie Fursey Manager Tenure: June 2017 Probationary period: ` 3 months Award/certified agreement: SHADS Award Level 4.1 LOGAN EAST COMMUNITY NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE BACKGROUND INFORMATION Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. (LECNA) was incorporated on 5 July The Association manages and operates Logan East Community Neighbourhood Centre open to the public on Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 4.00pm and on Fridays from 9am to 12 noon. The Centre has a Managers/Community Development Officers who manage the day to day activities of the Centre, with the assistance of 7 part time staff and 35 volunteers. The mission and aim of LECNA is to provide a range of services which will develop local resources, encourage co-operation, relieve poverty and help the local community to fulfil its needs. Building Better Lives 1

2 MICROFINANCE OVERVIEW INTRODUCTION TO NILS The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS ) was established in Victoria in 1981 by the Good Shepherd Sisters to provide interest-free loans up to $ for individuals or families on low income. NILS is a community-based program enabling people to access fair, safe and equitable credit for the purchase of goods and services. INTRODUCTION TO STEPUP The StepUP Microfinance Loan Program (StepUP) is a microfinance program offered through a partnership between National Australia Bank and Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services ( GSYFS ) and delivered through various Partner Agencies across Australia on a not for profit basis. StepUP is a community initiative which aims to provide access to safe and affordable credit to individuals and households on low incomes. StepUP loans are personal loans between $800-$3,000 for terms up to 3 years with a concessionary fixed interest rate (5.99%) and no fees. The loans are available to individuals and families on low incomes holding a current Health Care Card, Pension Card or eligible Family Tax Benefit Part A. StepUP was first launched in October 2004 and has expanded to sites in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The program has been recognised as one of the leading microfinance programs in Australia winning Money Magazine s Best of the Best Awards for the Best Socially Responsible Product in the low-income loans section in 2007 and StepUP fulfils a gap in access to credit in Australia and has been designed to help individuals step up from No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS). POSITION SUMMARY Microfinance Workers are expected to be both advocates for people with low incomes and facilitators of the NILS and StepUP Microfinance Loan Program in their community. Accordingly, the StepUp Microfinance Worker s role is multi-faceted and includes: 2 Taking and recording NILS and StepUP enquiries; Interviewing and counselling clients and checking StepUP eligibility; Assisting clients to complete StepUP loan applications, including documentation; Provide supervision and training to volunteers assisting within the program; Liaising with NAB personal loans and collections for StepUP Clients; Following up loan defaults;

3 Completing monthly reports; & Promoting StepUP in the community. Educating the community and society about impacts of low and limited incomes on families and the benefits of microfinance. Being aware of or knowing where to access information about other supports within the wider community eg. Capital grants, Utility Relief Grant Schemes, housing support workers, dv support programs etc. and where appropriate have the capacity to assist an applicant to make an application for a Capital Grant. NILS and StepUP is an integrated program delivered across various community agencies. Microfinance Workers need to have an understanding of the other microfinance initiatives provided by their agency. Additionally - ADDS Up Savings Plan: For persons who have successfully completed paying at least one No Interest Loan Scheme, NILS or StepUP loan these referrals are forwarded to the National Australia Bank (NAB). The StepUp worker will Interview applicants and make referrals as required to the National Australia Bank (NAB) ADDS Up Savings Plan. Key Accountabilities Agency ethos and values 1. Work within the ethos of Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. 2. Work within a community development framework. 3. Respect people, their circumstances and decisions. Program accountabilities 4. Manage the loans process. 5. Assist applicants to complete loans application including preparing budget and collecting supporting documentation. 6. Complete application documentation and follow up with loans processing for any additional paperwork. 7. Liaise with NAB Personal Loans and Collections for StepUP applications. 8. Advise customers of Loan status and make database entries as appropriate. 3

4 9. Follow-up repayments and defaults. 10. Promote microfinance services to people on low incomes; referral agencies; community; industry; all levels of government; and philanthropic organisations. 11. Facilitate information sharing and advocate for people on low incomes for access to financial options and services. 12. Educate the community about the impact of low incomes upon families, and the benefits of microfinance to all sectors of the community. Professional accountabilities 13. Manage own role and responsibilities in a varied work environment. 14. Participate in regular team meetings, performance planning reviews, and individual supervision of work plans and practices. 15. Pursue new skills and knowledge for personal and organisation development. 16. Contribute to the development of the Agency through participation in Agency wide planning and review process, staff meetings and other activities as required. 17. Communicate appropriate in a range of contexts. Key Performance Indicators 1. Meet the agreed loan program targets/benchmarks. 2. Provide loan reports using qualitative and quantitative data. 3. Maintain all records and files in accordance with Logan East NILS Program Policies and Procedures and privacy requirements and maintain all loan records and files in accordance with StepUP loan program procedures and privacy requirements. 4. Participate in regular supervision sessions with LECNAs Manager/Community Development Officer/s. 5. Attend staff, program area and relevant microfinance meeting/training. 4

5 Additional Information The Microfinance Worker is employed by Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. and is accountable to the, Manager/Community Development Officer. Some responsibilities and accountabilities are guided by the StepUP State Coordinator, the National Microfinance Manager (GSYFS) and the Community Development Manager (NAB) and Good Shepherd Microfinance, and National Australia Bank. This position is based at the Logan East Community Neighbourhood Centre; however employees may be required to work across other sites from time to time or to change sites. 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/or that of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S. Pre-existing injury: Before any person can be appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position. Equal opportunity: Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All staff have a responsibility to be familiar with Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association Inc. and the equal employment opportunity policy. Salary sacrificing: Is available to all ongoing and fixed term staff. Conditions of employment: Employment is subject to: a current Police Record Check; Hold or be eligible to hold a Positive Notice blue care for child related Employment; a current driver s license; the capacity to work flexible hours; Key Selection Criteria 1. Demonstrated understanding of social justice principles. 2. Relevant qualifications and/or experience in microfinance, finance sector or community development. 3. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the needs of people on low income. 5

6 4. Demonstrated knowledge of communities needs. 5. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including: a. Interviewing, facilitation, advocacy and negotiation skills b. Writing skills reports, correspondence, loan agreements, record keeping, data entry c. Oral skills liaison, community information sessions, telephone. 6. Demonstrated capacity to actively promote microfinance to all sectors: the community, government and business. 7. Ability to work both collaboratively and independently as required. 8. Highly developed organisational skills and a demonstrated capacity to work flexibly and within tight timelines. 9. High level of computer literacy, including experience with database and spreadsheet software. 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, that is 3 months following commencement of employment and then annually. resumes and responses to selection criteria marked StepUp position application to: julie@lecna.org.au Applications close: 5pm Monday 22 August