• 17.5 month contract (13/01/16 to 30/06/17)
• Full Time – Total of 37.5 hours per week
• Located full-time in Sydney CBD Office and once (occasionally twice) a fortnight in Parramatta Office

The Women In Prison Advocacy Network (WIPAN) is a not for profit, community based organisation dedicated to improving the status, wellbeing and prospects of women in the criminal justice system.  WIPAN addresses the many issues facing criminalised women both systemically through advocating, and individually through mentoring women affected by the criminal justice system. WIPAN operates on the premise that by providing women with gender-responsive social support, recidivism rates will be reduced and the burgeoning prison population will be minimised.

Position Title: Mentoring Program Coordinator (18-month contract with possibility of extension, subject to review and funding)

Location/s: Level 6, Suite 4, 377 Sussex Street, Sydney and 17-21 Macquarie Street, Parramatta

Salary: SACS Award, Level 4.1 & Superannuation

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (7.5 hours per day)

Supervisor: Kat Armstrong, Director

Expected Start Date: Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Position Description

Purpose of the position:

The primary function of the Mentoring Program Coordinator is to coordinate the WIPAN Mentoring Program. The position will involve ensuring that the WIPAN Mentoring Program is able to provide holistic social support, specifically in securing affordable housing and assisting the client to have children in out of home care restored upon release, management of the program, collation and collection of client data and files and recruitment of Mentors, training and supervision of all Mentors and clients.

Relationships:

Accountable to: WIPAN Board

Liaises with: WIPAN staff, WIPAN General Manager, all relevant stakeholders

Supervises: WIPAN volunteers and Mentors, and WIPAN clientele- women who have encountered the criminal justice system.

External Communication/Stakeholders

• Liaise with the Department of Corrective Services and the Department of Family and Community Services at an operational level
• Relevant government and non-government agencies, community organisations

Key Accountabilities & Duties

• Coordinate the WIPAN Mentoring Program and model. This includes recruitment of volunteer Mentors, training, providing support, acceptance of referrals, conducting client assessments, matching a Mentee with a Mentor, reviewing, supervising and evaluating.
• A major point of contact for WIPAN
• Manage client files in accordance with the WIPAN mentoring model
• Develop and maintain appropriate information and referral sources and networks with both government and non-government agencies
• Manage data collection and ensure it is collected and entered regularly into appropriate computer systems
• To explore the ongoing sustainability of the WIPAN mentoring program
• To attend relevant training and professional development
• Adhere to all program reporting requirements
• To receive and assess referrals of Mentees for participation in the program
• Attend relevant Correctional Centres, rehabilitation centres (and any other required location) to meet, assess and regularly visit WIPAN Mentees.
• The recruitment and assessment of Mentors and Mentee’s
• Link and match Mentors and Mentees
• Exit Mentors and Mentees
• Manage Mentor and Mentee program support needs
• Liaise with other individuals and organisations (who have mutual clients) to ensure a holistic support network exists
• Provision of ongoing supervision and training to Mentors by a monthly evening meeting and to organise professional guest speakers
• Every three to four weeks, you will be required to start your workday at 1pm and finish at 8:30pm to run Mentor meetings (this takes place in the WIPAN building)
• Upon commencement of your contract, you will be required to work two full Saturdays to train newly recruited Mentors. This will exist as your time in lieu (to be agreed on with the General Manager)
• Maintaining client files and database
• Undertake office administrative duties
• Coordinate both the Sydney and Western Sydney programs. This will require allocating at least one day per fortnight to the Parramatta office.
• Other duties appropriate with the function and role of the position

Essential Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Sciences/Social Work or equivalent and/or relevant experience
• Demonstrated management skills and the ability to work within the framework of WIPAN in a strengths based manner
• Knowledge of issues faced by prisoners post release and an ability to work sensitively and effectively with those in a criminal justice setting
• An understanding of the concept of mentoring
• A deep understanding of WIPAN’s aims, purposes and visions, with a genuine desire to deliver a service that will support and empower women affected by the criminal justice system in a non-judgemental and approachable manner
• Demonstrated casework experience with women with complex needs
• Knowledge of the impact of alcohol and other drug issues
• Knowledge of the impact of homelessness, mental health disorders, domestic violence, sexual assault, and existing legal barriers to socially and economically disadvantaged women.
• Knowledge of issues relating to CALD and ATSI communities
• Experience working with volunteers
• High level oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with people from a diverse range of backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and as part of a very small team
• Current drivers licence

All candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check, the results of which will not necessarily preclude them from employment (Correctional Centre access requires this).

CALD and Aboriginal/Torres Strait Island women with the required skills are encouraged to apply.

Women with lived experience (relating to and/or affected by the criminal justice system) with the required skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

Being a woman is a genuine qualification under Section 31 of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.