About the organisation

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

About our work in NSW

The Centre for Just Places was established by Jesuit Social Services, with seed funding from philanthropy and government to support and enable place-based approaches to social and ecological justice. We do this through three main areas of work:

• Working in place – our practice in New South Wales and Northern Territory – we deliver a range of place-based initiatives to support community development, build capacity and provide flexible responses to community needs.
• Enabling climate justice – we partner with community service organisations, communities, and governments to shift systems, build local climate resilience and adaptative capacity.
• Supporting strong, healthy, and equitable communities – building on more than 25 years of research into locational disadvantage with Dropping off the Edge, we work with communities to know where people are struggling, to understand what is contributing to that struggle and how we can collectively enable communities to flourish.

As part of our work in New South Wales, Jesuit Social Services has been working in the spirit of partnership to deliver a range of programs and community development activities, capacity building projects and social enterprises in Western Sydney since 2007.

Willmot Community Hub

The Willmot Community Hub (the Hub) uses a place-based approach and works in partnership with local residents and other organisations to deliver a range of programs that support children, young people, families and the broader community.

Social enterprises - Ignite Food Store and Op Shop, Open Pantry and Currawong Kitchen

Jesuit Social Services social enterprises in Western Sydney aim to:

• supply low cost food and clothing to the local community;
• contribute to climate justice by rescuing food and household items from landfill; and
• provide voluntary work opportunities that address isolation and provide a pathway to employment.

School Engagement

Jesuit Social Services engages and activates schools and communities to further support and build sustainability for the vision, goals and activities of Jesuit Social Services.

Jesuit Social Services plans to strengthen existing offerings and explore opportunities for growing our work in NSW based on identification of local need. This could include education, training and employment; climate justice; place-based community building in other disadvantaged communities.

About the role

The General Manager NSW will work with the Centre for Just Places Leadership team to:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in NSW with the aim to embed Jesuit Social Services as a key social change organisation, particularly in the areas of place-based approaches, pathways to participation, gender justice, and climate justice.
• Collaborate with Centre for Just Places’ leadership team to integrate the Centre’s research, action and advocacy with NSW programs and secure funding to ensure sustainability and growth. This includes exploring opportunities in new areas such as Gender Justice, Climate Justice and Policy and Advocacy.
• Oversee all NSW programs, including the development, implementation and review of new and existing programs and initiatives in keeping with the organisation’s vision, mission, and values and the strategic aspiration for Jesuit Social Services’ contribution in NSW.
• To develop, manage and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders including all levels of Government, funders, partner agencies, professional networks, the parishes of Holy Family Parish in Emerton and Our Lady of the Way in North Sydney, and the general public as appropriate.
• To provide strategic advice and assistance to Jesuit Social Services senior management and to contribute to organization-wide imperatives, including the promotion of our ethos and values, the identification of policy and advocacy issues and compliance with business processes.

What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:

• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing role related training and development
• An organisation that lives their values, through our day to day work
• A welcoming and supportive environment
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave
• Fully maintained company vehicle

Candidate Requirements

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• Tertiary qualification/s and/or relevant experience in supporting disadvantaged and culturally diverse communities
• A strategic knowledge of the broad policy directions and opportunities in the human services context within NSW.
• Demonstrated experience in capitalising on opportunities, building and maintaining strategic partnerships and securing funding to support mission and financial sustainability.
• Demonstrated experience in program planning, development and review, in particular the development of new strategies as new areas of need are identified.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead, and manage teams

A position description is attached.