ABOUT THE ROLE

The National Community Development and Engagement Lead will work with a broad range of AYAC stakeholders, including young people, the wider youth sector and AYAC members.

This role is responsible for leading, consulting and building the capacity of young people as youth advocates and leaders. The role will identify and promote contemporary best practice in youth participation and youth engagement and develop resources including fee for service training packages for government, the youth sector, young people and the wider community.

This role will support the recruitment of young people to join leadership and advocacy programs, participate in youth consultations, round tables, forums and other advisory committees with government and the youth sector more broadly.

The National Community Development and Engagement Lead facilitates network meetings, develops strategic partnerships and creates opportunities for AYAC’s members and other stakeholders via collaborative projects that align with AYAC's strategic directions.

This role will also work closely with the CEO, the Policy and Advocacy Lead, and the Communication and Media Coordinator. This role provides the AYAC team with best practice advice and resources to ensure consistent youth practice and messaging.

About Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC)

AYAC is the national peak body representing the interests of young people aged 12-25 years, and the wider youth sector. AYAC acts in a leadership and advocacy capacity for the Australian youth sector and offers policy advice to decision makers on issues that impact young people and the sector.

AYAC is a member-based organisation whose members include young people, academics and youth policy experts, youth-led organisations, national / state youth peak advocacy organisations, generalist welfare organisations operating at national, state, and local levels.

AYAC undertakes policy, advocacy, research, consultation and capacity building informed by our members and evidence to ensure policy makers and the community understand the impacts policies and decision-making have on young people, and the youth sector.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Collaborate directly with young people to co-create a dynamic youth leadership program rooted in best practice youth participation principles to empower young people to take on leadership roles and become effective change-makers within their communities.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate youth participation and engagement training for AYAC members and stakeholders including government departments. Equip young leaders with the knowledge and tools needed for meaningful participation and personal growth.
• Strategically expand and strengthen AYAC’s membership base:
  • Facilitate network meetings, cultivating strategic partnerships, and creating opportunities for collaborative projects
  • Respond to member requests for support and facilitate connections between members and stakeholders to enhance service delivery and collaboration.
  • Ensure that members and State / Territory Youth peaks, are continuously informed, motivated, and engaged in the organisation's initiatives.
  • Represent and promote AYAC at a range of forums, including meetings with young people, community sectors, and senior government representatives.
• Lead and provide support for focus groups, round tables, and forums in collaboration with member organisations, youth-led groups and State/ Territory youth peaks, ensuring that communication aligns with AYAC's strategic priorities and empower young people's voices.
• Empower young advocates to engage with government and advocate for policy change to effectively communicate their concerns and recommendations to policymakers.
• Develop comprehensive project briefs, event schedules, run sheets, agendas, and coordinate youth co-leaders and keynote presenters of AYAC's youth programs.
• Develop comprehensive reports based on the outcomes of youth-focused events, such as forums, round tables, discussion groups, and network meetings, ensuring that these reports accurately reflect the insights and contributions of young participants.
• Administer honorarium payments to young people as necessary, maintaining transparent and organised payment processes and detailed record keeping ensuring accountability.
• Provide essential support to AYAC team members in planning and executing consultations and surveys for research papers, government submission inquiries and projects with a youth-lived experience approach. Coordinate young people as co-designers and co-leaders, ensuring these initiatives align with AYAC's strategic plan.

You will be required to perform these duties, and any other duties the Chief Executive Officer may assign to you, having regard to your skills, training, and experience.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Tertiary qualification(s) at degree level or postgraduate with substantial experience in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Development, and or a related discipline with a minimum of 5 years' experience.
2. Demonstrated experience of community engagement with youth participation principles and an understanding of the youth sector including issues affecting a diverse range of young people and those working with them, especially young people who face marginalisation.
3. Demonstrated experience developing, delivering, and evaluating youth programs, facilitation training and consultation packages to young people, the youth sector and other key stakeholders.
4. Experience in convening and coordinating networks and events, including logistical planning.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills, and experience in developing and managing stakeholder relationships. Highly organised, with the ability to self-manage, prioritise tasks, and manage competing demands under minimal supervision.
6. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including group facilitation skills with demonstrated experience of leading group consultations, training or professional development.
7. A current Australian driver’s licence and willingness to travel when required.
8. Demonstrated understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children and young people from diverse backgrounds (including but not limited to CALD and LGBTIQA+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people), and commitment to the Code of Ethical Practice for the Victorian Youth Sector and Victorian Child Safe Standards.

DESIRABLE

1. Current qualification in Youth Work, Youth Affairs, Community Development or Human Rights.
2. Experience working in a member-based organisation.
3. Experience in financial record-keeping, payment and invoice processing.
4. An understanding of effective advocacy in a youth/community sector context.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT AYAC

• Generous terms and benefits
• Flexible, disability friendly, family friendly, rainbow friendly
• Fun work culture, with a social purpose, in a fully accessible Melbourne CBD office
• Diversity, working with a dynamic group of youth organisations at state/ territory levels and with National organisations and universities
• High degree of collegial support & sector-leading professional development.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

AYAC promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and young people, including those with a disability, those who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or those from refugee or migrant backgrounds. We take child protection very seriously.

All employees are subject to screening and assessment against child safety standards, including rigorous background, identity and reference checks. The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children Check and Police Check (costs reimbursed) and must agree to adhere to our Child Safety Code of Conduct and Team Member Policy and Procedures.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.

NEXT STEPS

To submit your application, click "Apply Now".

Please refer to the full position description attached to this ad.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Joanna, AYAC CEO, via email: [email protected] using the subject line: with National Community Development and Engagement Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.