Please note: This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under ‘special measures’ of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply

About BDAC

BDAC is an ACCO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation) registered as a member under the umbrella of VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) and represented nationally through NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation).

BDAC was founded to represent and provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on Djaara Country.

BDAC has a responsibility to ensure growth of services, development of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, better and improved health outcomes for our people, improved quality of life and be a lead agency in providing self-determination employment and career pathways for Aboriginal people.

What We Are Offering 

• Full time
• Fixed term 2 years
• Pay rate aligned with SCHADS Grade 7 Level 1
• Access to Salary Packaging
• 11% Superannuation
• Supportive work environment
• Ongoing training and development opportunities

About the Position

The Program Manager – Community Employment will oversee BDAC’s new employment assistance program.  The program will deliver a central liaison and connection service between the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community, mainstream employment services and employers, as part of a holistic and culturally safe employment support service.  

This role will lead efforts to empower and strengthen the employability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country and assist them to find meaningful and sustainable employment and training opportunities, with a particular focus on Youth, early school leavers, people in the justice system, parents looking to enter / re-enter the workforce and Elders.

The objective of the program is to support sustainable employment by delivering key wrap around services including:

• Increased employment opportunities for First Nations Peoples
• Expanding occupational skills/education/training/mentoring
• Career Path Planning
• Provision of work experience
• Mentoring
• Supporting candidates to become ‘Work Ready’
• Work with employers to understand cultural safety

Initially, this role will establish the program, based on a case management and mentoring model and will be required to build strong relationships with employment agencies (and other relevant stakeholders) and employers to develop effective strategies for job placement and retention.   

Once established, the role will implement and manage the program to ensure it meets the needs of the Community and the objectives of the program, as set out by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) who are the project sponsors.

Key Responsibilities 

• Program Implementation
• Client Support and Case Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Staff Management
• Compliance and Reporting

​​​​​​​Read the position description for more information.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Understanding of, and experience in, working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Experience in community work, preferably in the area of employment.
• Experience working within a case management model.
• Ability to effectively manage a project, including program development, reporting, evaluation, budgets and staffing.
• Sound knowledge of relevant employment service providers including local and State Government and other related external organisations.
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with support services and agencies to facilitate referrals for jobseekers to address non-vocational barriers to employment.
• Experience engaging with employers and industry to obtain sustainable employment placements and providing post-placement support to employers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capacity to work as part of a team and autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop collaborative relationships and network across professional and organisational boundaries.
• Compliance focused with strong administrative skills including maintaining up-to-date records and meeting all contractual / funding requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership that leads to a healthy work environment, staff growth and retention and attains best possible outcomes for the program.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and build trust-based relationships.

Preferred / Desired / Mandatory Education, Training and/or Competencies.

• Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (mandatory).
• Tertiary qualification in community services, social work, teaching, business administration, or a related field (preferred).
• 2+ years working in an employment related industry (preferred).
• Experience managing a program and team (preferred).
• Management experience (desired).
• Case management experience (desired).

How to Apply

If this role sounds like the role for you then click on the link below and apply by attaching your CV and a cover letter detailing how you suit the role.

Mandatory Requirements

Should an applicant be the preferred candidate, background checks (Police check, reference check and Working with Children's Check) will be completed prior to the candidate’s employment being confirmed.

For more information about this position please see the Position Description which can be accessed via our website bdac.com.au or contact our human resources team on (03) 5442 4947 or send an email through to [email protected], using the subject line: Program Manager - Community Employment (Identified) - Bendigo enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note: This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under ‘special measures’ of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply

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