SECL imagines a world where everyone is valued, and systems operates fairly. We are on a mission to challenge the status quo and create a society where everyone’s contributions are not only recognised but celebrated. We are tearing down those systemic barriers that stand in the way of equal opportunities, especially for migrants, refugees, women and young people. We are taking action to deliver better social and economic outcomes for the people in our diverse communities. We are all about co-creating opportunities where individuals, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, class and ability can unleash their full potential. Diversity is a strength and by embracing it, we can create a vibrant and inclusive community for everyone.

How you’ll fit into the bigger picture

Our Financial Counselling team is growing at SECL. We have received new funding to support the community experiencing financial hardship specifically relating to rental and mortgage stress. We have a new opportunity for an Intake Worker to provide initial contact services for the Financial Counselling team. The Financial Wellbeing team supports people in our diverse community who are experiencing financial hardship and barriers to navigating financial systems. Financial Counsellors work with community members to resolve financial difficulty and set financial goals through information, support, advocacy and referral while working with people towards financial stability and inclusion.

At SECL, we pride ourselves on delivery of holistic, quality financial counselling and advocacy with people in the South Eastern region of Melbourne. If you are passionate about financial counselling and calling out unfair systems while in working with one of Australia’s most diverse communities, then this job is for you!

We are committed to ensuring your success in this role, you will be supported by an experienced leadership team and provided with professional development opportunities

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake high quality intake and assessment, by phone and/or face to face, to provide initial financial counselling support, consultation, triage and referral pathways.
• Provide financial counselling support to individuals and families, including assessments of clients financial situation, the provision of information and referral to other relevant services
• Provide a dignified service to community members and build connections with to community to forge a strong referral pathway
• Collect and ensure that client data is kept in accordance with the recording and data requirements as per funding requirements
• Applying a disciplined approach to data entry in line with SECL guidelines and ensuring privacy and confidentiality compliance.
• Facilitating a culturally safe and innovative work environment that values diversity and inclusion.
• Actively supporting the Financial Wellbeing Team to achieve strategic objectives established for the organisation, inclusive of, identifying and reporting emerging trends and unmet needs within front line service delivery
• Contribute to the achievement of SECL's Strategic Plan through organisational participation, enthusiasm for change projects and active support for service integration across programs and teams

Skills required to undertake the role

• Hold (or be currently completing) the Diploma Financial Counselling and be a member of Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic)
• Experience in the financial sector, Financial Counselling and/or a thorough knowledge of the relevant legislation and regulations pertaining to financial issues
• Financial Counselling experience in the provision of intake, telephone triage and assessment.
• Client centred approach with a strong commitment to social justice where all people can live to their full potential
• Strong communication skills and experience in advocacy and negotiation
• Resilience to work with and support clients who have been exposed to trauma
• Agile mindset with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated strong ethos and skill in working as part of a team
• Demonstrated capacity to maintain timely and accurate records
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, negotiation and advocacy skills
• Experience in working with women who have experienced family violence, and people with CALD backgrounds is an advantage
• Knowledge of contemporary practice frameworks and micro skills and a strong commitment to working in an integrated way with diverse communities
• Certificate of MARAM training completion is desirable

What is in it for you

• Join a leading community organsiation, trusted, respected, and valued by the community and our stakeholders
• Contribute to a team that strongly believes in advocacy and social change
• Paid parental leave
• Additional leave during Christmas and Easter
• Salary packaging and leave loading
• Have fun with a passionate workforce that is diverse and inclusive
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake Safety Screening checks prior to commencement of employment including a national police record check and valid Working with Children Check.

If you have any questions regarding the role please contact Desiree Kisnorbo, Head of People and Partnership at [email protected] using the subject line: Intake Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

SECL embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We know that getting this right underpins our organisation’s values of inclusion, equality, compassion, dignity and choice. Our team represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills which reflect the multicultural communities where we work. We strive to be a place-based service where people of all ethnicities feel welcomed to work, volunteer or seek help.