Director, Domestic Violence And Homelessness

About Us :

Toora Women Inc is a not-for-profit organisation which has been delivering gender specific services to women in the ACT and surrounds since 1982. Our mission is to be the leading organisation in the ACT providing safe, respectful support for all women who are impacted by domestic and family violence, homelessness, the criminal justice system and/or alcohol and drug dependency.

About You :

• Bachelor’s degree in health or social sciences
• Tertiary qualification in management field desirable
• Current driver’s license and Working with Vulnerable People registration

Position Summary :

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Domestic Violence and Homeless (DDVH) will be accountable for leading and managing the delivery of all Toora Services relating to Domestic Violence and Homelessness, including clinical considerations, governance, evaluations methodology, staff performance and financial management. The role has strategic oversight of the safety, quality of care and client experience whilst under the care of the organisation, and the ability to optimize health treatment outcomes for women. The DDVH will drive our goal to deliver high quality and financially viable programs, services, and activities where women are supported to achieve their best possible physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The DDVH role is responsible for the strategy, priorities, team culture, performance and overall running of Toora Women services whilst leveraging and contributing to external sector expertise and engagement. 

The Director will work towards alleviating the effects of homelessness and its contributing factors through the provision of a crisis, transitional and outreach support services for homeless and women at risk of homelessness. She will manage and further develop these homelessness services, will provide strong leadership and work towards achieving the maximum potential of the team, will implement and evaluate strategies to meet organisational goals and will engage in effective liaison and partnerships with other relevant programs and services in the community. The Director will ensure the day-to-day provision of services and support will be delivered within the scope of the service agreements, agreed frameworks and in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the organisation.

Key Requirements :

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing a community service.
• Strong understanding of financial and people resource management and an ability to prioritise and mobilise resources for effective service delivery
• A strong understanding of health and wellbeing, particularly for Women in alcohol and other drugs, domestic and family violence, homelessness, mental health, and the justice system.

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrated ability to create and deliver complex business plans working across multiple teams and functions.
• Significant experience in leading the delivery of evidence based programs, services or other activities.
• Extensive experience working with women with complex co-morbidity issues.
• Knowledge of various best practice health treatment options.
• Strong commitment to feminist principles and the ability to work within a human rights and gendered framework.
• Excellent leadership, team management and service coordination skills and ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders (government, academic, service providers, media, community/client groups) and build and maintain good partnerships
• Ability to determine priorities, organize and delegate tasks across different programs.
• Detailed knowledge of sector policy, programs, guidelines, procedures and practices.
• Experience in managing people and teams to deliver outcomes.
• Human resource management skills: experience in supervision of employees, work performance management, conflict resolution, debriefing and crisis management.
• Demonstrated high level verbal and written communication skills with proven report writing ability.
• Well-developed skills and experience managing stakeholder relations.
• Proficient computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office applications

Personal qualities and behavioural traits

• A strong understanding of health and wellbeing and an appreciation for the client centered care in driving health and social change among individuals and communities. 
• Significant experience in developing strategy, driving change, overseeing people and systems.
• Are passionate about delivering effectiveness and efficiency outcomes with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Thrive in a dynamic, fast paced business environment, adapt well to change and are resilient. 
• Strong ability to lead, influence and manage stakeholder relationships. 
• Skilled in creative thinking, problem solving, decision making, and tactical skills.
• Communicate with influence in a positive, proactive, constructive responsible and respectful manner to inspire and empower others.
• Communicate showing an awareness of the impact of communication style on the receiver, adapting personal style to audience.
• Be flexible and responsive to the changing environments 
• Be committed to providing quality programs and excellent services and support that represent leadership and innovation

Job Responsibility :

About Toora

Toora Women Inc. supports women with complex issues who have experienced past or present traumas such as: 

• Domestic, family and sexual violence
• the impact of their own or another’s drug and alcohol use 
• mental health issues
• homelessness or needing support to stay out of the homelessness system
• the ACT corrections system.

Our current Domestic Violence and Homelessness programs range across variety of settings such as crisis, transitional and head lease accommodation, day program, counselling and outreach support, allowing Toora to provide a wrap-around trauma informed care model, in an integrated service system. We deliver these complex services within a human rights and gendered framework. All services are based on a theoretical model of recovery, respect and empowerment. This includes encouraging self-help and minimizing the effects of institutionalization and the harm associated with dependencies.

Key deliverables

Executive Leadership

• Contribute to the leadership, strategy, priorities, finances and overall running of Toora Women service, delivering the Business Plan of the organisation.
• Ensure clear understanding and implementation of the services delivery principles, frameworks and legislations that govern the services. 
• Lead, inform and manage transformation and change, internally and to the extent possible within the sector
• Contribute to overall strategic workforce planning including recruitment and retention, succession planning, professional development, change management and transformation.
• Contribute to analysis of data, strategy, competitive landscape and industry trends at off-site meetings and as required.
• Formulate and initiate extensive projects or programs which impact on the organisation’s goals and objectives
• Support established services and the establishment of new programs, systems, policies, and practices, ensuring successful, outcomes focused delivery of such programs through financial management, evidence-based models of care and a gendered specialist lens.
• Provide specialised professional, clinical and/administrative advice on policy matters within the organisation and/or externally such as government policy.
• Represent and advocate the organisation’s position in a professional or specialist context including on external committees, forums or working parties.
• Ensure appropriate and wholistic continuation of care for all clients throughout Toora
• Champion Toora’s Mission, Vision, and Values

Service Leadership

• Maintain a comprehensive and well executed performance management system incorporating elements such as induction, regular one-on-one supervision, performance appraisals and processes to manage underperformance. It may incorporate job design, recruitment and selection, training and development, conflict resolution, disciplinary procedures and counselling, career planning. 
• Provide and oversee the managers regular line supervision, debriefing and monitoring of work performance of designated staff
• Ensure clinical advice and support to clinical staff and management team on program development and delivery directions, clinical practice and quality assurance. 
• Ensure regular client review meetings, general supports, regular group supervision, clinical supervisions and debriefing for all workers are embedded into clinical governance frameworks.
• Oversee staff activities to maximise service delivery and provide broad day to day direction and team support.
• Ensure the services operate within the parameters of the service funding contracts and Toora policies and procedures
• Identify gaps, initiate and participate in service developments to improve community-based responses in conjunction with managers
• Initiate annual service planning and participate in development and evaluation of the services.

Finance and Contracts

• Approve staffing and leave via Preceda payroll system.
• Participate in development of annual financial budget and be responsible for managing expenditure within the allocated amounts.
• Participate in relevant grant applications, including research to support growth in organisation capacity to meet the needs of existing and future clients.
• Explore new financial opportunities for growth of service delivery in and surrounding the ACT both from government and private funding.
• Ensure relevant Toora quality improvement systems are implemented including auditing, surveys and needs analysis.
• Oversee and quality check to ensure all reports, data collection, service evaluation and planning meet required standards.
• Ensure the development, implementation, promotion and review of all policies are compliant with relevant professional, industrial and legislative requirements which influence client’s treatment and care.

Teamwork, Networking and Liaison (Effective Relationships)

• Lead and participate in internal and external meetings as required.
• Build and maintain effective, positive relationships with all relevant stakeholders
• Maintain and adapt the organisational culture, structure and systems capable of meeting the needs of Toora in carrying out its mission
• Lead by example and develop teams who deliver high quality programs.
• Lead, coach, develop and engage staff, to develop creative solutions and innovative solutions in the interests of Toora and its clients
• Create a positive, inclusive work environment through strong and empowering leadership to enhance the motivation, focus and satisfaction that staff derive from their contribution to Toora and its clients

Professional Practice, Professional Development and Performance Management

• Investigate and promote contemporary best practice approaches including national and international trends.
• Engage in professional development activities (e.g., organisational training/workshops)
• Attend professional (external) supervision with a mentor to support growth and development planning
• Attend to regular supervision with the CEO and accept direction
• Participate in performance management/appraisal activities as determined by the organisation.

Work Health Safety 

• Adhere to Toora Women Inc. WHS policies and procedures including self-care policy.
• Take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety at work and meet all obligations under the WHS Act 2011
• Work in accordance with relevant sector standards and participate in Toora Quality Improvement Systems including auditing, surveys and needs analysis.

Job Functions :

Community development

Job Benefits :

5 weeks leave

NFP salary sacrifice benefits

Selling Point :

Executive leadership opportunity where you can make a genuine difference to women in the ACT and surrounds

Contact :

Katie Hancock