Community Engagement & Capacity Officer

Who are we?

For 35 years, Multilink Community Services Inc. (Multilink) has supported people across their life journey’s. We respond to the needs of individuals and diverse communities in ways accessible and with services that are relevant to supporting people to reach their potential. This includes young people, families, and our ageing community.

Multilink is a Not-for-Profit organisation and verified as a specialist provider of services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD). Multilink is committed to delivering and proud to be recognised for our quality, safe and inclusive care. We support people from over 150 culturally diverse backgrounds annually, with our staff speaking over 44 languages.

Our key services include: 

• Aged Care
• Disability (NDIS)
• Employment & Training
• Community Engagement & Support
• Financial Wellbeing
• Refugee Settlement 
• Youth Services

About the Role

Working under the general direction of the Community Services Manager, we are currently looking for a passionate and engaging Community Engagement & Capacity Officer to join our Community Engagement & Support team and deliver MultiLink’s agreed Community Engagement and capacity building strategies to better support culturally diverse groups, associations, and individuals (especially new and emerging ethno-specific) - 

• Increase opportunity for economic and social inclusion,
• Support their own local communities,
• Access and navigate the local service system and opportunities,
• Identify emerging needs and appropriate responses,
• Develop their business administration and project management skills,
• Practice and demonstrate sound governance &
• Enhance their capability and ability to seek and secure funding and other resources.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Regular ongoing relationship and consultation with diverse community leaders to stay abreast of the community’s needs, trends and strengths. 
• Conduct community consultations to discuss issues, needs and challenges affecting the inclusion and participation of specific cohorts. 
• Assisting a community to develop plans to help address their needs and support vulnerable communities and their members.
• Identify and assist community leaders to volunteer with programs by fostering their leadership skills and mentoring them. 
• Provide opportunities for community leaders to volunteer with MultiLink.
• Assist community groups and associations to access community resources and facilities to support their capacity to self-organise.
• Provide training, leadership skills and mentoring to community leaders and emerging leaders.
• Provide opportunities for small ethno-specific groups to participate in the broader community and interact with different levels of government and engage with local stakeholders.
• Develop and train small and/or ethno-specific organisations, community groups and community leaders on organisational governance and project management (including assisting these groups to become incorporated associations), with a view to sustaining such groups and organisations in the longer term.
• Support the development of administrative and operational skills, including in applying for and managing government funding, such as outlining requirements, record keeping and financial accountability requirements for government grants.
• Foster a whole-of-community approach to achieve economic and social participation and social cohesion outcomes.
• Assist local social and industry networks and agencies to be more culturally aware, and responsive.
• Build the capacity of individuals and community groups to access and navigate the local service system or opportunities.
• Support the inclusion of culturally diverse communities in local disaster management efforts through coordinated engagement.

Our Benefits

Our people are central to everything we do. We offer our staff members with:

• Salary packaging up to $15,900 and $2,550 per year for meals and entertainment expenses per year - this means you could take home even more pay each fortnight!
• One paid ‘Thank you’ day at the end of the year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Vehicles available for business use
• Free on-site parking

Selection Criteria

• Qualifications from a recognised TAFE, College or University in community/human services or similar discipline and a minimum of three years’ experience in the provision of support to culturally and linguistically diverse communities and leaders.
• Demonstrated experience offering leadership and influence in the community sector on both a practice and policy level.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the principles and models of Community Capacity Building (CCB).
• Available to frequently work outside of regular hours. i.e. Evenings and weekends.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural community leaders and community organisations to identify needs and develop responses on an individual, group, or policy level, including expertise in the planning, conduct, evaluation and reporting of a variety of initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships within community networks. Work in consultation and in co-ordination with key community stakeholders and service providers in government and community sectors.
• Be a self-starter, reliable and able to work innovatively with all stakeholders.
• Demonstrated well developed time management and organisational skills with the capacity to work effectively within tight time constraints.
• High level of verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Mandatory Requirements

• NDIS Worker Screening Clearance or Disability Services (Yellow Card Exemption)
• Current and valid Blue Card
• Australian Driver’s License 
• National Police Check (undertaken within the last 2 years)
• Right to Work in Australia evidence

To Apply

If this position sounds right for you, please upload your resume and/or cover letter, along with your response addressing the selection criteria above, through the 'Apply for Job' link on this page.

Please contact Michael Zgryza, Community Services Manager for any additional information on Ph: 07 3808 4***

Applications for this position close at 5pm Friday 7 June 2024.

MultiLink acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Custodians