Senior Community Development Officer

Community First Development is looking to appoint two (2) full-time Senior Community Development Officer’s in Perth, Western Australia. Reporting to the Regional Manager for the Northern Territory and Western Australia, the Senior Community Development Officer position plays a key role in the delivery of our Community Development work with First Nations people and communities.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU’LL MAKE

Your impact as a Senior Community Development Officer will make a profound difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

We work with communities Australia-wide, and we’ve evolved and improved our processes and ways of working with communities over time.

You’ll learn our unique approach to Community Development and use this approach to support communities to achieve long term sustainable outcomes. We use strengths-based and collaborative approaches, where communities are in control and determine their priorities and needs, to create positive change in their community.

We don’t do things ‘to’ or ‘for’ communities. Communities ask us to work alongside them to achieve their future dreams.

We have and continue to contribute to Closing the Gap outcomes. These outcomes strongly align with our Story of Change outcomes, which is the theory we work to. It shows that when we hold self-determination at the heart of all we do, First Nations people lead the way in creating more for youth, stronger economic and education outcomes, safer communities, and stronger, healthier lives. Our Story of Change brings more clarity to the outcomes and impacts we achieve with communities and how our processes and inputs are linked to outcomes.

Our Community Development Framework is our evidence and strength-based approach, that includes five cycles of understanding, engagement, genuine co-design and delivery and reflection. All cycles are just as important as one another. It takes account of what has worked and what doesn’t. And we are continuously improving our Community Development practice, which our team plays a huge part in.

We know that Community Development is not a quick fix to addressing the challenges faced by communities. It takes time and it’s a collaborative effort.

You’ll be part of an innovative team, working alongside communities, making a difference one community project at a time.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (SCDO):

The NT/WA team includes two Senior Community Development Officers (SCDOs) based in Alice Springs, one in Darwin and three in Perth. The Regional Manager is based in Darwin and travels to locations where staff are based.  Covering large areas of NT and WA, we work with a mix of urban, regional and very remote communities, so we’re all very mobile and travel as much as we can.

Examples of what an SCDO might do in a day include:

• Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, clients and volunteers to identify, implement and manage Community Development projects.
• Ensure that relationships with and between volunteers, First Nations communities and organisations, clients and other stakeholders are aligned with Community First Development values and standards and contribute to achieving the outcomes anticipated by the projects undertaken.
• In collaboration with communities and volunteers undertake detailed monitoring, recording and evaluation of projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in the organisation’s Community Development practice.
• Ensure that all community engagement and Community Development project activity and information is being regularly and systematically recorded and reported.
• Work with our Volunteer Co-ordinators to support the recruitment, induction and screening of volunteers for projects and manage their deployment to projects and placement with communities.
• Based on the community engagement and Community Development work undertaken in the role, work collaboratively with other staff in such areas as communications, research and supporter engagement.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Demonstrated cultural awareness and understanding of contemporary and historical issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a key member of a high performing team and to work successfully across diverse teams in an organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with community groups.
• Strong information technology and database management skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Skills or experience in volunteering, human and Community Development, capacity building or skills transfer projects.
• Demonstrated experience in the delivery and coordination of projects in the context of First Nations urban, regional and or remote communities.
• Ability to travel in regional and remote Australia.
• Current driver’s license, with no restrictions.

You will be working with vulnerable communities, and we will require applicants to have updated COVID 19 vaccinations. 

WHY COMMUNITY FIRST DEVELOPMENT?

• The opportunity to work in partnership with First Nations’ communities and individuals to learn about and support achieving the specific goals and aspirations of cultural groups you are working with.
• Building skills that support sharing knowledge about culture and community.
• Genuine flexibility in working arrangements.
• Generous paid value-based leave entitlements, such as employer paid time over the Christmas and New Year period, each calendar year.
• Regular opportunity to travel and work in person with staff across the organisation. This supports teamwork and relationship building with peers.
• We understand the importance of culturally significant days and are flexible for our employees.
• An Employee Assistant Program (EAP) for you and your loved ones.
• As Community First Development is a registered PBI organisation, access to salary package up to $15,900 of your salary to pay expenses such as rent or loans with pre-tax income.

Recruitment process overview:

1. Introductory phone screen – chat with your potential manager to schedule a first interview.
2. First Interview – get to know your potential manager and showcase your skills and experience.
3. Second Interview – is Community First Development the place for you? We hope so!
4. Reference checks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Community First Development are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that embraces a diversity of perspectives and experiences. We aim to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. We wholeheartedly embrace individuals of all backgrounds, and we do not discriminate based on factors such as race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Rest assured, all the information you share with us will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, in strict accordance with EEO guidelines.