Community Engagement Officer (Identified)

Birribee Housing (Birribee), is a community-driven organisation committed to providing safe, secure, and culturally appropriate housing for Aboriginal people to practice self-determination and meet their social, cultural and economic needs.

Birribee have been awarded funding from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to co-design and deliver a Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) to meet the housing and homelessness needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the Western Sydney region. The primary objective of this SHS funded services is to ensure people who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness, are supported to achieve safe and stable housing in the community.

The Community Engagement Officer at Birribee Housing plays a vital role in fostering strong relationships with the Aboriginal community in Western Sydney and collaborating with relevant services to address housing and homelessness needs.

Working within the framework of Birribee's commitment to self-determination and cultural appropriateness, the Community Engagement Officer establishes and maintains strategic partnerships, undertakes outreach activities, and facilitates access to Birribee's Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

This role will be working across the Western Sydney LGA – Areas Identified as Parramatta, Blacktown and Penrith.

Key responsibilities:

• Build and engage strong relations with the Aboriginal community in the LGA
• Establish partnerships with Aboriginal agencies, organisations, government departments and community to support pathways to housing stability
• Lead outreach activities and engage with people experiencing homelessness in the LGA (identified as Parramatta, Blacktown and Penrith).
• Act as a liaison between Birribee and external stakeholders to strengthen collaboration
• Maintain accurate records, conduct regular reporting and monitor program effectiveness
• Ensure strong relationships with clients and stakeholders to help facilitate access to Birribee’s SHS, ensuring appropriate transition into housing support services
• Design and implement Community Engagement and development programs to build Birribee Linkages

Essential Criteria

• Experience working in building, Community Engagement, partnership development & outreach
• It is essential that the successful candidate for this role identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Knowledge of housing/homelessness services and / or strong knowledge of Aboriginal culture
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences
• Strong networking and collaboration skills with all partnerships

Desired criteria

• Qualification in Community Development, Social Work or other relevant tertiary education
• Experience with project coordination, planning, implementation and evaluation
• Knowledge of housing/homelessness services and / or strong knowledge of Aboriginal culture
• Ability to collect, analyse and report on data using database systems and reporting tools

To be successful in this role, you must have your drivers licence, be willing to undergo a police check and obtain a Working with Children Check.