• Employer: House of Welcome/House of Welcome Catering
• Responsible to: CEO, St Francis Social Services
• Responsible for: Operations
• Location: South Granville, NSW
• Conditions: 1 year contract in the first instance (likely to be renewed)
• 4 days per week

THE HOUSE OF WELCOME/ HOUSE OF WELCOME CATERING

The House of Welcome (HoW) provides support for people seeking asylum and refugees living in the Australian community. The House of Welcome welcomes, shelters and empowers people seeking asylum, regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, nationality, or religion. We provide client-centred holistic supports that nurture hope, advocate for justice and promote self-reliance, while acknowledging the dignity and rights of each person.

The House of Welcome is a service of St Francis Social Services (SFSS). Our vision is for a society which recognises the dignity, equality, human rights, and humanity of all people. We recognise that people seeking asylum are in special need of support, having been displaced from their homes through war, conflict, persecution, and suffering, and potentially having been subjected to immigration detention.

Clients come to the HoW via word of mouth, referral from another organisation or via other clients. HoW currently provides short-medium term accommodation and housing for approximately 95 refugees and people seeking asylum in 18 properties. In addition to housing, staff and volunteers offer a variety of support services such as casework, financial assistance, foodbank, referrals, advocacy, and employment programs.

House of Welcome Catering (HW Catering) reduces barriers for people seeking asylum and refugees to access work in Australia by providing traineeships, combining impact, wraparound support, and inspiring flavours.

HoW plays a significant role in providing client-based advocacy and support, working with partners and stakeholders.

The House of Welcome aims to:

• Provide a place of welcome, respect and empowerment for people seeking asylum.
• Assist people seeking asylum in their transition to life in Australia and to develop their capacity to engage confidently in various aspects of life in Australia.
• Promote the rights of people seeking asylum and accompany them as they seek to have their status recognised.
• Enable them to become full and independent members of the Australian community.

About St Francis Social Services

What We Do:

Over forty-six years of service, St Francis Social Services has learned that fundamental personal and societal change comes when those who experience significant challenges in achieving their social and economic goals are supported by skilled and committed collaborators.

SFSS has extensive experience working closely with and supporting children, young people, families, people seeking asylum and refugees who face obstacles to achieving their social and economic goals.

We use our skill and expertise to advocate for the systemic changes that will enable our clients to achieve their goals and thrive into the future. We provide the supports that enable those we work with to build the confidence and the skills they need to become active and contributing members of the community, and to achieve the dignity and the respect that is the right of every person.

Our Vision

Our vision is for a society which recognises the dignity, equality, human rights, and humanity of all people.

Our Purpose

We provide the supports and advocacy that build the agency and dignity of each person, by enabling them to achieve wellbeing and independence and to thrive into the future.

Our Values

Welcome

With warmth, kindness, and generosity, we welcome, respect, and empower all those we work with, regardless of age, ability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, faith, race, or social circumstances.

Respect

We honour the uniqueness and dignity of each person, upholding their right to be treated equally and valued for their difference.

Empower

We provide supports that create opportunities for people to determine and achieve their goals and have their voices heard and acted upon.

Pillars

We will achieve our purpose by focusing on three pillars over the next 3 years.

1. Our Clients

Helping to shape a positive future for our clients is at the forefront of all we do. We will actively listen to what our clients tell us they require to thrive. We are committed to evidence-based service delivery to assist our clients to achieve their goals.

2. Systemic change

We advocate for the systemic changes needed to build a society where our clients and those facing similar challenges live with dignity and respect, participate in, and contribute to the community.

3. Organisational excellence

To achieve the outcomes we seek with our clients, and for others with whom we work, we strive for and maintain the highest possible standards of integrity and practice across all areas of our organisation.

Some key outcomes that we achieve in partnership with clients, include:

• employment that builds and strengthens financial independence and self-confidence;
• improvement in overall mental and physical health and wellbeing;
• safe, appropriate and secure housing;
• strong and supportive social connections and engagement; and
• effective advocacy for positive systematic change.

Operations Manager

An opportunity exists for an experienced, dynamic, and creative leader to join a diverse and dedicated team. The Operations Manager is a new key leadership role that oversees the strategic, innovative, and operational day-to-day aspects of ensuring the smooth functioning of House of Welcome (HoW) and House of Welcome Catering (HWCatering).

Your Role

The Operations Manager is responsible for coordinating and streamlining processes, optimising resources to maximise the team’s potential to deliver on outcomes for clients and communicate and grow our impact. The Operations Manager plays a crucial role in budgeting and resource allocation to support the organisation’s mission, values, and goals. They will work closely with the CEO and St Francis Social Services Leadership Team to develop strategies and make data-driven decisions to improve operational efficiency and support continuous learning and quality improvement. The Operations Manager will be dynamic, creative, curious, and driven and will play a key role in supporting team wellbeing.

In this exciting role you will have the opportunity to:

Lead:

• Lead, empower, motivate, support and nurture high-functioning, effective and empowered clinical and social enterprise teams, supporting team wellbeing
• Lead budgeting, financial management and grow sustainability, robustness, and scale for HoW and HW Catering, supported by SFSS Leadership Team
• Analyse costs and expenditure for each program, coordinate budget allocation to programs and support planning and forecasting
• Grow and nurture relationships and partnerships, promoting understanding, respect, and trust within the organisation and with partners and stakeholders
• Develop a clear understanding of SFSS values, purpose, and our point of difference, and convey a professional image and communicate a compelling case to fund HoW and HW Catering
• Work closely with the CEO and Leadership Team to implement operational strategies, goals, and objectives aligned with the overall strategy
• Lead evaluation, learning, outcome and impact metrics and reporting for House of Welcome and House of Welcome Catering
• Contribute to growing a culture of passion for impact
• Support governance, compliance, risk mitigation and risk management
• Perform other duties as directed by the CEO

Plan and support SFSS strategy:

• Lead organisational change management
• Work closely with and support the Client Services Manager to grow internal capabilities to deliver efficient and effective solutions that meet the changing needs of clients
• Work closely with and support the Head Chef and Business Development Officer at House of Welcome Catering to support, grow and scale a thriving social enterprise
• Coordinate team members to provide outcomes data for grants, contribute to project reporting and grants acquittal to meet donor and funding body requirements
• Be responsible for setting and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and making data-driven decisions to drive continuous improvement and quality assurance
• Contribute to generating outcomes data for sharing and informing the team, newsletters, Annual Reports, and external comms
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures
• Manage and improve operational processes to ensure smooth and efficient workflows
• Implement quality control measures
• Provide practical day-to-day support to the Client Services Manager and HW Catering team as required.

Manage resources:

• Allocate resources, including equipment and materials to support operational needs
• Support tech integration and systems changes
• Maintain a commitment to best practice and continuous quality improvement in accordance with SFSS Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, aligning team culture with SFSS values and vision
• Comply with legal obligations and mitigate risk. Maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards, operational transparency, and communication pathways to enhance service delivery and empower clients
• Protect the confidentiality and privacy of clients, clients’ records, and all records
• Inform the CEO of any concerns, issues, or difficulties as they arise
• Take care of self and others in the team, prioritising team wellbeing and psychosocial safety.

Key knowledge, experience, and style

• Leadership style that fosters a positive solution-focused and empowered ‘can do’ culture
• Strong financial budgeting, planning and program management skills
• Creative, innovative, and curious thinking- ability to design and deliver novel solutions
• Best practice evaluation and social impact reporting skills (underpinned by excellent analytical, research and evaluation knowledge)
• Highly collaborative in a team-based environment
• A passion for social justice and social impact
• Self-awareness and the ability to role model the values and behaviours that fit with SFSS values

Selection Criteria

Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience related to operations management, program management, community development, social impact measurement, systems and organisational change, and/or financial control and planning.

• Demonstrated success in a team leadership role and strong interpersonal skills, including a proven ability to lead a cohesive, positive, and collaborative team
• Strong financial/budgeting/program management skills and strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the capacity to represent HoW and HW Catering and advocate compellingly for both services both on the page and in person
• Highly developed governance capabilities, and capacity for robust oversight of risk management
• Values-driven approach to life and work, a commitment to social justice, a willingness to support the values and purpose of SFSS and a genuine desire to work in the not-for-profit sector.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within the not-for-profit sector as an employee or volunteer, and/or experience working in support of people seeking asylum or refugees
• A demonstrated ability to work sensitively in a culturally and linguistically diverse environment with a strong commitment to strengths-based and trauma-informed practices
• Demonstrated high ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism in managing interactions with funders and supporters
• Experience with using and managing donor databases/CRM systems and grant management software and relevant technology to streamline grant processes and reporting
• Business development/sales experience- proven track record in developing and implementing sales strategy and maintaining/scaling operations. This includes end-to-end processes
• Attention to detail, ability to ensure compliance with grant guidelines, tracking expenditures and providing accurate and timely reporting
• Capacity to analyse data and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and make data-driven decisions for future initiatives
• Prior contacts/existing relationships with corporate partners, governments, trusts and foundations
• Driver’s licence.
• Occasional out of hours work will be required, with time in lieu arrangements in place
• Working with Children Check and other security checks will be required.
• You must be residing in Australia to apply.

Why Work With Us?

• Work within a passionate, dynamic, and engaged team in an organisation that has enabled clients to reach their goals and potential for forty-six years
• Extend your capacity to contribute to growing social justice and a more compassionate, welcoming, respectful, and empowering community
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements
• Benefit from generous salary packaging options
• $500 professional development allowance and 1 week of professional development leave each year (part time pro rata)
• Additional wellbeing day
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program.
• SCHADS level 6 $106,400 to $111, 000 per annum (pro rata), plus super.

SFSS respects, values, and encourages diversity. We believe that diversity in our people enriches our organisation and the impact that we generate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please apply now, we will begin interviews and may choose to appoint the successful candidate before the closing date.

For additional information, please contact Dr Angela Argent, CEO St Francis Social Services

Email [email protected] using the subject line: Operations Manager enquiry via Ethical Jobs, or call 0403 981 144.

A position description is attached.