AddressAboriginal Legal Rights Movement is looking for a part time (.8FTE) Financial Counseller with a Diploma qualified in Financial Counselling
ALRM Core Objectives
The central object of the Movement is to assist Aboriginal persons (especially those Aboriginal persons who are detained in custody or imprisoned) to relieve their poverty, the consequences of their dispossession and social misfortune and to assist further in removing destitution and helplessness amongst Aboriginal people through the use of the legal system of the State of South Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia. (Please refer to ALRM Intranet for more core ALRM Objectives).
Key Responsibilities
- Provide information, casework, outreach and referral to support individuals and families to achieve financial stability.
- Identify trends which require a broader response for systemic advocacy.
- Advocate on behalf of clients through negotiation with government agencies, financial institutions, creditors, community organisations and others to develop acceptable repayment programs, request appeal decisions or/and access resources for the wellbeing and needs of clients.
- Participate in a Community of Practice to support Financial Counsellors working with people in the prison system.
- Liase with the Port Augusta Prison’s representatives on prison-related activities and progress reporting.
- Support the delivery of cultural awareness training for staff in Port Augusta Prison.
- Document project’s lessons learned and gathered quantitative and qualitative data.
- Support and work with people with diverse backgrounds, value systems, cultural differences, and special needs by modelling respectful behaviour in the workplace.
- Other duties as required and/or requested by the CEO or direct reports.
- Actively participate and contribute to responsible and safe work practices by ensuring all Work, Health and Safety legislation, policies and procedures are adhered to within the workplace. This includes any directive given by the Human Services department in relation to any pandemics.
- Embracing diversity and cultural differences in the workplace by modelling respectful behaviour in the workplace.
- Perform duties according to the industry standard of Financial Counselling management practices which includes ability to follow a budgetary process and procedure, prepare an accurate income and expenditure statement and financial management plan, understand the options available for debt management and support the appeal process.
- Be involved in developing community education materials and support the delivery of educational sessions to promote self-agency for increased financial capacity.
- Monitor project progress according to workplan for the preparation and submission of progress reports, as requested by the direct reports or funding agency.
- Coordinate and participate in the project evaluation with various stakeholders and funding agencies.
- Making client appointments, keeping an appointment diary, internal records, filing systems and statistical information as required.
- Regularly consult with the Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association and South Australian Financial Counsellors Association in order to remain up to date with developments in the financial counselling field.
- Be a team player with a “can do” attitude to work collaboratively to maintain a professional delivery of financial counselling with internal and external stakeholders.
Essential Criteria
- Diploma of Financial Counselling with at least one to five years’ experience as a Financial Counsellor.
- Current membership of South Australian Financial Counselling Association or eligibility to obtain membership.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Financial Counselling management practices, including budgetary processes and procedures, preparation of an accurate income and expenditure statement, preparation of a financial management plan and understanding of options available for debt management and appeals.
- Ability to develop clients’ skills for self-agency and also advocate on behalf of them through skillful negotiation with creditors and different means of engagement with the Court or Tribunal.
- Function as an independent information source with good communication skills and without any conflict of interest.
- Ability to operate within a culturally appropriate trauma-informed, person-centred and strength-based approach for efficient and effective service delivery.
- Demonstrated understanding of knowledge of/and the effects of Aboriginal culture on the management of the individual/family household budget.
- Maintaining confidentiality and a non-judgmental attitude are imperative aspects of the work to enable the counsellor to gain the confidence and trust of clients.
- Capacity to work effectively in an Aboriginal organisation demonstrating respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
- Competent in managing and balancing work priorities in a collaborative manner with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
- Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel to regional and remote locations.
Desirable Criteria
- Skilled in dealing with people in prison.
- Experience in developing and delivering financial education programs.
- A comprehensive understanding of consumer complaint mechanisms such as various Ombudsmen, The Office of Consumer Affairs, and the insurance industry including the ability to use the Consumer Credit Code effectively.
- Good knowledge of relevant services to support clients in crisis or make referrals in cases of specific problems outside the scope of financial counselling, particularly Aboriginal Services and organisations.
- Knowledge of Equal Opportunity and Work, Health and Safety legislations.
- An understanding of the objectives of Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, its services, and clients.
- Knowledge and understanding of the ALRM’s Core Values (Code of Ethics) and the Employee Code of Conduct Policy.
ALRM offers both internal and external supervision including professional development opportunities. Onboarding support will include orientation to the prison system and on-the-job Aboriginal cultural training.
- Please direct applications of a one-page covering letter and with a Curriculum Vitae by the close of business Thursday 6th June 2024 to:
Julie Batt
HR ADVISER
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
321-325 King William St
Adelaide SA 5000
Email: ******@alrm.org.au
