Please note, this is an identified position, open only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

Organizational Values

Key Responsibilities

• To prioritize the development and delivery of services to people most in need and those at greatest risk; including those people with mental illness, their carers and their children.
• To improve coordination of community based Aboriginal Health Services and improve their capacity to deliver timely, non-clinical mental health care.
• To develop new service responses to address the S&EW and information needs of families, children, and young people.
• To improve access to mainstream mental health, primary health, and other community services thorough the development of local partnership agreements.
• To increase the level of community participation in a broad range of mental health initiatives promoting activities across all age groups
• To add to the evidence, base for effective S&EW interventions

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker will have the following functions

• Convene regular local networks of Aboriginal workers to share program information and undertake joint planning in meeting local family and community needs.
• Assist with the establishment of Service Co-ordination with an emphasis on screening and assessment and electronic referral between programs.
• Work with Aboriginal Health Service programs to identify clients who fall through service gaps and are hardest to engage (for example people who fail to comply with mental health and drug and alcohol treatment)
• Undertake Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training and deliver MHFA training as required.
• Establish health promotion and recovery focused programs such as carer’s groups, women’s groups, youth activity groups, elders groups, art groups, sporting activities and so on.
• Source health (mental health and physical health) information and arrange display and distribution.
• Arrange participation by the Aboriginal community in health promotions such as mental health week, NAIDOC week and so on.

Through the above functions, measurable improvements will be achieved in preventing the escalation of mental health problems, providing population-based interventions targeting risk factors in Aboriginal communities, ensuring early access to appropriate health care, supporting families ‘capacity to promote recovery and engaging people with mental illness in culturally appropriate community activities.

Key Selection Criteria

Applicants must possess:

• Qualifications in relevant human services field/s will be highly regarded (such as Social Work, Education, Welfare, preferred but not essential)
• Knowledge and understanding of spiritual and emotional wellbeing issues of the local Aboriginal community.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, multifunctional, energetic and dynamic environment.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, social and economic issues, and local family networks.
• Ability to provide written reports and statistical data reporting
• Knowledge of local Aboriginal and Mainstream services
• Ability to liaise and communicate with a range of people and agencies, including people from range of different social and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to plan, develop and case manage meaningful and achievable care plans in conjunction with, and on behalf of, participants.
• Ability to work with children, parents, and families especially those with complex needs e.g. substance abuse, mental health, family violence.
• A strong commitment to staff development and training
• Ability advocate, mediate and undertake dispute resolution.
• Ability to plan and prioritize demanding workload
• Understanding of traditional and contemporary healing strategies and services, including natural therapies
• Ability to plan and coordinate meetings within a given time frame

Qualifications & Experience

Mental Health First Aid Instructor

Commitment to Safety

All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Njernda is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety; preventing child abuse and abiding by the Child Safety Principles

Other Relevant Information

• The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including providing at least two professional referees, completion of a medical declaration, Police Records Check, Working With Children Check, Victorian Driver’s License, and proof of identify and qualifications
• Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices is required
• You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury you know about which could be affected by the described work duties. Under section 82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act, failure to disclose such a pre-existing illness or injury will mean that, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition.

To be Eligible for an Interview

The Applicant MUST address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume.

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”

To:             Corporate Services Manager

                  Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

                  P.O. Box 21 Echuca Vic 3564

Email         jobs@njernda.com.au

All applications close:           November 24, 2023

• Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees.
• Please check the closing date to ensure your application is received within the specified time. Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).

All applications close: 24th Nov 2023