About Befriend

Since its launch eleven years ago, Befriend has grown to become a powerful change agent in the space of relationships and inclusion. Our grassroots community development initiatives have sparked 10,000+ West Australians to take action to nurture community connection, and our work in partnership with citizens, community organisations, researchers and government is changing the conversation around loneliness, isolation and social exclusion. We’re continuing to develop our capability to contribute towards systemic change.

About the Team

We are a small but mighty team, working in a fairly flat organisational structure, trusting and supporting each other to work autonomously and make informed, impactful decisions. We are avid learners, experimenters, collaborators, listeners and do-ers who work interdependently. We see the work environment as a small, meaningful microcosm of community life that values the contributions of all, and acts with intention to create spaces for self-direction and discovery, connection, growth and fun!

Position Purpose

This project is in collaboration with MercyCare, our valued, long-standing partners on this work. Together, we’re catalysing local people in the Northern Growth Corridor (specifically the newly developed areas Caversham, Bennett Springs, Dayton and Brabham) to nurture human connection and contribution in ways that are meaningful, fun and sustainable as these suburbs continue to grow and develop.

The purpose of this position is to continue working alongside local residents and organisations to ignite their curiosity and confidence for people to bring their community enrichment ideas to life - from social events that bring people together in diverse and creative ways, to facilitating workshops that help people discover what’s important to them, all the way to supporting existing grassroots initiatives to grow in their viability and aspirations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the value and importance of informal social networks in local neighbourhoods and communities for maintaining community wellbeing. In the changing landscape ahead, creative forms of connection will be more important than ever.

The key responsibilities for this role:

Local engagement and capacity building - Engaging with and supporting diverse local residents to develop their confidence and capabilities to contribute to community life in ways that are meaningful to them. Eg. running grassroots social/community groups, activities and neighbourhood initiatives.

Facilitating points of connection - Learning from residents and community organisations in Swan to better understand the diverse experiences, resources and events they’re seeking to engage with, to grow sustainable community connections and networks specific to the local context

We expect this will involve:

• Engaging developmentally with local residents in discovery conversations that lead them to imagine the possibilities for their contributions, gifts and strengths
• Providing support to residents to develop their confidence & capabilities to take local action to connect people in their local area
• Collaborating with community organisations, local government and residents in Swan to help bring community enrichment ideas to life
• Nurturing the development of new partnerships between local residents and other community organisations in Swan
• Supporting community members to reach their wider community in creative and inclusive ways
• Sharing learnings with the broader Befriend Staff Team and MercyCare to grow our understanding and knowledge of local community building strategies

The Community of Swan is looking for:

• Someone who loves to support other people’s thinking in how they can bring their creative community ideas to life
• A curious listener
• Someone who takes great joy in seeing people grow in their sense of agency
• A passionate includer
• Someone who believes in the inherent potential of all people to shape community life
• A naturally creative facilitator for thoughtful 1:1 conversations and group sessions
• A big-picture thinker who always sees the possibilities, connections and opportunities emerging
• Someone who puts relationships at the heart of their work and life

We’re looking to hear from applicants who see this role as a natural extension of who they are as a person. So, if many of these statements resonate with who you are, and who you might hope to develop yourself to be, we want to hear from you.

Position details:

• Part-time position (0.45 FTE), immediate start fixed-term contract to June 2022 with high likelihood of extension in accordance with project continuation
• Salary $62,727 pro rata plus superannuation
• Generous salary packaging benefits
• Bonus Christmas leave period on top of your annual leave entitlements
• A team of 17 change-makers, thinkers, do-ers and builders to support you in your development. Read more about our team and work culture here.
• Work where you want, when you want, how you want. You do you.

For questions about this role, contact the Community Building Team on (08) 9520 8574 or 0404 831 201, or email at [email protected], using the subject line: City of Swan's Community Builder enquiry via EthicalJobs.