ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION

Free to Feed is a not-for-profit social enterprise that empowers people from refugee backgrounds to connect through a shared love of food, storytelling and cultural exchange, as they resettle in their new community. Free to Feed is affectionately known for its rich cooking experiences, nourishing events, and a warm, generous community spirit.

Our Mission is to foster & promote social connection for people from refugee backgrounds.

We exist to provide safe and inclusive spaces for our program participants

• to speak freely and act independently
• to put their hope and optimism to purpose
• to share cultural knowledge and safeguard identities
• to receive kindness, to experience respect and acceptance
• to confidently narrate their own stories

In our spaces, participants experience a feeling of social connectedness, developing and sustaining the personal empowerment that flows from that feeling and from the practical resources that we offer. The spaces are both physical (our venues and activities) and intangible (relationships and emotional).

Our Core Values are Curiosity, Respect and Positivity. We want to work with people that believe in and are passionate about Free to Feed’s mission. And that’s where this role comes in.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Leadership, Empowerment and Communication (LEC) Program is our flagship, 12-month learning journey for people of refugee and migrant backgrounds with passion and skills in cooking and culture, to develop their skills in menu development, storytelling and leadership. The program culminates in a 9-month tenure as Cooking Experience Instructors, sharing their food and culture to the Melbourne/Naarm community through our highly-regarded Cooking Experiences.

At any one time, there will be around 6 LEC Program participants in training and another 10-12 LEC graduates who are working as Cooking Instructors and running their own Cooking Experiences. This role is connected with both groups in different ways.

The LEC Program Manager facilitates the participant experience and learning journey of the LEC program, and manages the quality and relevance of the program’s research base, program logic and design through to curriculum development, workshop facilitation, program coordination and impact measurement and reporting.

The role also coordinates the expansion of Cooking Instructors' opportunities to collaborate with new Experience offerings at Free to Feed; contributing to team culture, and championing social connection and safe storytelling.

Salary is aligned to SCHADS Award Level 4, plus NFP salary packaging.

ABOUT YOU

You’ll show a real passion for Free to Feed’s mission and values, with at least 2 years of experience in community or not-for-profit programs, and a background in community services or social work. Experience with trauma-informed storytelling and experience working with refugees or asylum seekers is highly desirable.

You’ll bring strong program management skills and a history of successfully running complex projects with cross-functional teams. You’ll also have exceptional communication skills, be great at facilitating diverse groups and writing compelling and data-rich reports for various audiences.

We're looking for compassionate, patient, and warm facilitator who can build strong relationships and create empowering, safe and engaging participant experiences.

You are adept at navigating complex environments with empathy and professionalism and are self-motivated, adaptable, and effective under pressure is important as we're working in a dynamic environment with lots of variables at times!

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• NFP Salary packaging available, increasing your take-home pay
• Flexible, hybrid work in a friendly and supportive team
• Our work spaces are beautiful and easy to reach by tram, train and bus
• You'll get to eat and share food from all over the world!

A position description is attached.