About Relationships Australia Northern Territory 

Relationships Australia Northern Territory (RA-NT) is a community-based, not-for-profit, non-government organisation providing a broad range of services, which are for all members of the community regardless of religion, belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances. 

Our clients are often dealing with complex and sensitive situations, so we look for employees who are understanding, knowledgeable and genuinely care about the wellbeing of others.

Position Statement

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer provides appropriate support to people considering and applying to the National Redress Scheme including casework, counselling, advocacy and liaison with legal services, statutory bodies, communities and other stakeholders. 

Given the highly complex and sensitive nature of the NRS, priority is given to safety and to ensure people are provided with service that empowers and enhances their personal agency. The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer requires well-developed clinical practice skills as well as flexibility, initiative, coordination and organising skills, with a large amount of autonomy.

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer will also focus on engaging with individuals and service providers in rural, regional and remote outreach locations across the Northern Territory to enable equitable access to the National Redress Scheme and Redress Scheme Support Service. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Provide high quality clinical counselling and therapeutic case work to RSSS clients. 
• Provide counselling support to people impacted by out-of-home care and forced adoptions practices where appropriate.
• Assist RSSS clients via therapeutic and practical support when considering, completing and/or post their National Redress Scheme applications. 
• Maintain high quality practice as a trauma informed practitioner with active participation in ongoing supervision and professional development.
• Facilitate RSSS community information sessions to stakeholders and/or clients in the Northern Territory. 
• Represent RA-NT at national meetings and training sessions when required.
• Promote a positive image of RA-NT and RSSS to the broader community through professional and community networking, presentations and promotional and awareness raising activities.
• Assist in the development and review of policies and procedures regarding RSSS while also adhering to RA-NT ethical guidelines.
• Meet regularly and maintain an effective flow of communication with the Manager, Adult Specialist Support Services and team, providing updates and reports on the implementation of program goals, outcomes and funding requirements.
• Collect and input client, stakeholder and information session data onto appropriate systems in a timely manner.
• Comply with all requirements of the funding agreement.
• Conduct other duties as requested by the Manager, Adult Specialist Support Services.

Qualifications and Experience 

Essential 

• Tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, counselling, or another relevant discipline. 
• Knowledge of current theory and practice relating to trauma informed practice including knowledge of the impact and effects of childhood trauma on adult functioning.
• Experience working with individuals and/or families where complex trauma is present.
• Demonstrated experience in case management.
• Proven stakeholder and community engagement, education and development skills. 
• Experience in developing and maintaining streamlined internal processes for service delivery.
• High level of interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal communities, organisations and individuals to deliver community education, networking and service provision and promotion. 
• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds, and to respond to a variety of situations in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
• Ability and commitment to work as a team member within the ethos and values of RA-NT.
• Ability to travel within the Northern Territory.

Desirable 

• Knowledge of the historical context of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. 
• Experience in agency representation in networks, forums, information sessions, and community groups.

Requirements 

• A satisfactory Northern Territory working with children check. 
• A satisfactory national criminal history check. 
• Possession of a current NT Driver's License.
• A commitment to our Safeguarding Children Practice and Behaviour Guidelines.

A position description is attached.