About Multicultural Australia

It’s who we are...

Multicultural Australia emerged from a community-based social movement to advance multiculturalism and build communities where everyone belongs.

Since 1998, we have welcomed tens of thousands of individuals from refugee, asylum seeker, international student and migrant backgrounds – with the goal of creating a more equitable and prosperous society.

Today, we are a multicultural for-purpose organisation and settlement provider with a strong and connected physical presence across metropolitan and regional Queensland.

Our clients and community are at the heart of everything we do, and we are passionate about providing care and services in person centred and compassionate ways.

We are also playing our part in influencing the multicultural landscape across Australia.

We work with individuals, communities, business and government to help build a more welcoming Queensland through advocacy, cultural training, community events, employment, youth programs, sports and arts inclusion programs to advance a diverse, inclusive and multicultural community.

We have worked hard to advance multicultural Australia and build communities where everyone belongs. Developing inclusive and prosperous communities, changing the conversation and keeping fit for the future are the strategic pillars that highlight why we exist. They underpin what we do—our services, partnerships and business. Ethical leadership and deep collaboration with community is at the heart of how we work—our culture and practice.

About the role:

Multicultural Australia is currently offering an opportunity for Cultural Support Workers to work as part of our Community Development & Engagement team. The roles are casual and based in Brisbane or Toowoomba. CSWs assist with delivering culturally appropriate and responsive support (e.g., advice, language, capacity building, etc.) alongside Multicultural Australia staff and our clients, to achieve outcomes. CSWs are employed as advisors with lived experience, to participate in group consultations together with other CSWs to support Multicultural Australia and other service providers to design and deliver programs that meet the needs and interests of our diverse cultural, ethnic and faith-based clients and communities.

Among other duties, the successful candidate will:

Client Services responsibilities

• Assist clients to link to essential services and with other people from their culture of origin and build other meaningful social connections;
• Deliver orientation activities including local area, household safety and public transport orientation;
• Assist with emergency and crisis intervention upon direction of a Case Manager on occasion;

Client Voice responsibilities

• Provide advice to Multicultural Australia staff and teams about the needs, priorities and experiences of communities, based on the CSW’s own lived experience and that of their community members;
• Review and provide feedback about services and programs designed by Multicultural Australia to ensure support is accessible, culturally appropriate, and informed by lived experience;
• Provide advice, based on lived experience, to external organisations that offer services to diverse communities;

What qualifications and skills do I need?

You will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and have effective communication and interpersonal skills. As well as having a confident and positive personality, you will possess:

• Proficient language skills (reading, writing and speaking), in both English and an additional languages of either:
  • Somali (and/or Somali cultural background)
  • Shilluk
  • Susu
  • Swahili
  • Chin Teddim
  • Kerreni (Karen cultural background)
  • Karen S’gaw (Karen cultural background)
  • Kurdish Kurmanji
  • Kinyarwanda
• Valid Queensland Driver’s License;
• Demonstrated ability to represent Multicultural Australia in a professional manner in a variety of contexts;
• Sound and accurate knowledge and understanding of Australian culture and systems which are relevant to client settlement, along with the ability to explain information about important life skills so that clients are able to independently establish their lives in Australia;
• Demonstrated commitment to working with all members of the community, irrespective of cultural and religious affiliations and a commitment to social justice and human rights;
• Excellent records management and general administration experience, along with proficiency in MS Office and advanced computer literacy;

Successful candidate will be required to have a valid driver’s licence, police check and apply for a Working with Children Blue Card. It is a condition of employment with Multicultural Australia to fulfil all our current and future COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Please peruse the position description attached for full details about the role.

How do I apply?

If your next move aligns with this position, please apply directly using the apply link!! You will redirect to our internal recruitment system to register your interest and submit a covering letter along with your resume. Please indicate which location you are applying for in your cover letter.

Depending on the volume of applications received we may not be able to respond to all. However, all applications submitted will be thoroughly reviewed to assess suitability for the position. Please note interviews may be held prior to the closing date.

A position description is attached.

For any queries, please contact Janet Mhindurwa – Cultural & Volunteering Services Manager – [email protected] or Anaik Doyle - CVS Recruitment Officer - [email protected], using the subject line: Cultural Support Worker - Brisbane / Toowoomba enquiry via EthicalJobs.