• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates strongly encouraged to apply
• Work Type/s: Full time, 12 month fixed term contract

About the organisation

Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s (AHV) vision is to ensure that Aboriginal Victorians secure appropriate, affordable housing as a pathway to better lives and stronger communities.

Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) is an Aboriginal community organisation responsible for managing more than 1,500 rental properties for Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria.

Our vision is to ensure that Aboriginal Victorians secure appropriate, affordable housing as a pathway to better lives and stronger communities.

In addition to being the largest Aboriginal Registered Housing Agency in Australia, AHV is the lead agency for Victoria’s Aboriginal housing and homelessness policy, Mana-na worn-tyeen maar-takoort. As the housing and homeless policy lead in the Victorian Aboriginal community, AHV has responsibility to work in partnership with the Government to secure the resources and reforms to implement the policy, while we support sector development to empower Victoria’s Aboriginal community to determine its chosen housing future.

AHV's housing services are targeted to those most in need of support. Through the provision of secure housing by an Aboriginal landlord, AHV helps strengthen and maintain Aboriginal communities and cultural ties.

About the role

The Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program will operate from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in five Victorian DHHS local areas based on highest demand from Aboriginal households seeking homelessness services. The key elements of the APRAP program include:

• APRAP Statewide Coordinator – Drives and supports the implementation of the program and undertakes capacity building activities that will enhance practice and support positive outcomes for Aboriginal households sustaining or entering into private rental. (This position)
• Aboriginal Private Rental Brokers – Improves and maintains access to private rental housing for clients by bringing sound knowledge of the private rental market. They administer the brokerage funds, build relationships with the private rental sector and are predominately office-based.
• APRAP Plus Staff – Outreach positions working alongside the APRAP broker that provide extra, targeted support for people living in private rental to establish or maintain their tenancy.
• APRAP Brokerage – Flexible funding that can be tailored to the needs of the household. Uses includes; rent in advance, bond, storage and removals.

The APRAP Statewide Coordinator has overarching responsibility for the co-ordination and implementation of the Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program.

The position ensures: strong communication and collaboration across the network of APRAP brokers and APRAP plus staff; builds capacity across the program; develops and disseminates resources to improve performance; strengthens program consistency and effectiveness; and ensures responsiveness to Aboriginal program users. It will also be an important source of advice for policy development and advocacy.

The APRAP Coordinator’s activities are central to the delivery of strategic action 3.1 of Mana-na worn-tyeen maar-takoort: “to increase uptake of Private Rental”. The APRAP program is a fundamental program response to reducing Aboriginal homelessness in Victoria.

Key selection criteria

We are looking for someone who will bring a client-centred focus to the role and with the following key attributes and skills (KSC):

• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal communities and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal people.
• Proven ability to manage, supervise and provide leadership to a small team.
• Experience in housing management or programs and knowledge of the private rental market.
• Understanding of residential tenancy legislation and regulations.
• Experience working effectively with clients with complex needs.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and confidently manage conflict.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• High level interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with peers, staff and other stakeholders, and exercise influence in a range of contexts.
• Ability to work independently, including capacity to exercise effective personal judgement.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

This position will be based in our Fitzroy North office and working from home when required.

Please direct enquiries about the position to Lisa on 0499 904 939.

A position description is attached.