• This part time 25 hours per week based in Alice Springs
• Salary Skills level: 5.1 SCHADS award
• Generous salary packaging

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Organisation

Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT (FKCA) is an independent community based incorporated body that empowers fosters and kinship carers through knowledge, support and advocacy.

As a specialist peak body for all foster and kinship carers, the core business of FKCA is to represent and advocate for the best interests of foster and kinship carers, both current and potential, ensuring policy and practice implemented by Territory Families is appropriate and fair and equitable for all foster and kinship carers, their families and the children in their care.

FKCA plays a pivotal role in providing advice and support for carers navigating often complex and difficult interactions with Territory Families to have issues and concerns addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

FKCA is funded by Territory Families to provide carer recruitment, support and systemic and individual advocacy services to all carers regardless of background, culture, religion, gender, relationship status within the Northern Territory.

Position Summary

This new role offers an exciting opportunity be an integral part of our dynamic team working towards FKCA’s vision to empower carers through knowledge, support and advocacy.

The Community Support Officer will be responsible for continuing to build and expand the Association’s community profile, liaise with our members and connect carers with support services in the child protection out of home care sector and wider community. They will also be responsible to map and undertake projects to review and develop new support services.

There will be opportunities to broaden the scope of the Association by working closely with the team to develop new projects that meet the strategic goals of the agency and add greater value for our foster and kinship carers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Community Support

• Provide leadership on communication and engagement projects.
• Plan and facilitate community engagement forums, sector events, training, networking and social events.
• Produce documents and promotional material of a professional standard for carers and are suitable for external communication to a variety of target audiences.
• Develop and sustain relationships with external service providers and identify opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships that progress FKCA toward its strategic objectives.
• Represent FKCA at various sector, government and professional events, networking opportunities and to the Association’s members.
• Development, implementation and evaluation of Community Engagement programs and strategies.

General

• Keep up to date with relevant sector trends, gaps and information.
• Participate in relevant training and development activities as an effective team member.
• Other duties consistent with the position where required and/or requested by management from time to time.
• Occasional travel dependant on needs of service and program opportunities

Selection Criteria

Experience – Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to engage and communicate to individuals and groups of people, tailoring communication to suit specific target groups and age ranges.
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges and experiences of people from diverse backgrounds including culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
• Broad knowledge of the range of support services available to assist families.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong, working relationships with key stakeholders, including carers, government, non-government and the corporate sector.
• Well-developed communication verbal and written skills, with a demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality written documentation with attention to detail and consideration of confidentiality and privacy requirements.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple and competing work tasks and deliver to agreed deadlines.
• Ability to work independently whilst proactively contributing to a positive and supportive work culture.

Personal Attributes

• Approaches tasks with a positive attitude.
• Self-motivated, demonstrating initiative.
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.

Qualifications

Relevant qualifications and/or experience in community engagement and capacity building within a relevant area of community, health or human services sector is essential.

1. NT drivers licence
2. Working with Children’s Card (Ochre Card) or the ability to obtain is mandatory for this role