Switchboard Victoria is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. 
 
We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.

About Switchboard Victoria (Inc.) 

Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies. 

Our current activities include: 

• Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. 
• Community connections for older LGBTI+ people – Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing program works to tackle ageism and strengthen social inclusion and community connection for older LGBTI+* Victorians. The Out and About peer visiting program builds friendship and connection between LGBTI+ seniors living anywhere in Victoria and through regular volunteer visits.     
• Rainbow Door – is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
• Suicide prevention –research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities. 
• QTIBPoC Programs – The QTIBPoC programs aim to build greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith.
• Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations.
• Rainbow Families – Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. 

For more information about each of Switchboard’s current activities visit: www.switchboard.org.au.

About Pride in Ageing

Pride in Ageing is a new Victorian Government funded initiative led by Switchboard Victoria. Pride in Ageing aims to reduce social isolation, tackle ageism, and work with local communities to build long-term improvement and change for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender diverse and intersex (LGBTI+)* Victorians. The project has a specific focus on centring the experience and needs of older LGBTI+ people to pilot solutions that are peer-designed, culturally safe and locally relevant.

The project aims to:​

• reduce social isolation for older LGBTI+ people​
• tackle ageism​
• build long-term improvement and systemic change for older LGBTI+ people.​

Working with partners and community members, this project will centre older LGBTI+ people to co-design their own solutions at every step. This project sits within the broader Pride in Ageing Program at Switchboard, alongside policy and advocacy work, the Out and About Aged Care Volunteer Visiting Scheme and Victorian Government funded visiting program.

Position Details 

• Title: Pride in Ageing Regional Coordinator
• Organisation: Switchboard Victoria (Inc)  
• Employment Type: 0.8 FTE (30.4 hours per week)
• Permanent
• Classification /Remuneration: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award 2010 Community Services Employee Level 5.1 - 5.3 depending on experience
• Plus, Superannuation 11%
• Plus, tax benefit from salary sacrifice package of up to $15,899 
• Location: Offices available in Bairnsdale and Trafalgar. Hybrid and working from home arrangements are available.
• Reports to: Pride in Ageing Program Lead

Position Overview 

We are looking for a creative and experienced person with practice in community development and project management, a passion for working with older people, a generosity of spirit, kindness and commitment to working with diverse communities.

The Pride in Ageing Coordinator (Gippsland) will provide the local leadership of this exciting new project in Gippsland, reporting to the Pride in Ageing Program Lead. The role will ultimately work with three (3) other Regional Coordinators and a Support Officer across Victoria to meet project objectives and milestones.

Initially this role will involve a significant amount of active listening, story collection and space making to build trust, empower the community and help drive the co-design outcomes of this project. To help build the local ownership and engagement, there will be a Regional Advisory Committee comprising of local lived experience participants who will help guide the direction of project and support the work.

Switchboard is committed to being a learning and development environment for all staff with staff directly supported by monthly external supervisions, regular 1:1 meetings with the Program Lead, time support and budget for training and development opportunities.

There is also a comprehensive induction program for new staff that will be a mix of online and in-person sessions.

There will be occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel across Gippsland to meet with project participants, partners and volunteers and attend events.

Responsibilities and Duties

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure lived experience is consistently centred and local lived experience drives project initiatives and outcomes
• Engage with local older LGBTI+ community members to facilitate and support their involvement in the project such as transporting them to activities and events, travelling to where they are located, organising, organising other supports to remove barriers to participation
• Attend relevant local events and networking opportunities to develop new and manage existing local relationships with community, delivery partners and identify possible key stakeholders
• Provide regular updates to the Program Lead identifying possible issues or concerns that may impact project delivery
• Act as Administrative support for a Regional Advisory Committee including taking minutes, following up action items, organising meetings and supporting Committee members’ attendance
• With the Program Lead and Regional Advisory Committee, assist with project planning, implementation and communications tasks
• Work collaboratively with the Program Lead and project evaluators on implementing evaluation tasks to maintain high quality data collection
• Participate in supervision processes (internal and external) provided by Switchboard and undertake ongoing professional development and training as required
• There will be occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel across Gippsland to meet with service users and volunteers and attend events

Key Selection Criteria 

Essential:

• Applicant must identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual (LGBTIQA+) [Switchboard Victoria has an exemption under the Equal Employment]
• Demonstrated experience working in community engagement, community development and/or program management roles
• Ability to work on a peer-based co-design project with multiple stakeholders and experience using local lived experience to drive project outcomes
• An understanding of the issues faced by socially isolated older members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual, (LGBTIQA+) communities
• An understanding of what it means to take an anti-racist and intersectional approach to every aspect of your work
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively and respectfully within a team 
• Computer literacy and able to effectively use Microsoft 365 Word and Excel applications
• A current Australian drivers’ license (or equivalent)
• Current Victoria Police Check (or willingness to undergo this prior to commencement)

Highly Desirable:

• Previous experience working with LGBTIQA+ people who identify as queer, trans, intersex, First Nations and/or people of colour
• Demonstrated experience volunteering or working to support older people
• Understanding of trauma informed engagement
• Speak a first language other than English
• Access to a car that you are willing to use for local and regional travel, with third party insurance and roadside assist

To ensure you are familiar with Switchboard’s purpose, programs, and ways of working, please visit our website.

For information, please contact Rowena Doo, Pride in Ageing Program Lead at [email protected] using the subject line: Pride in Ageing Regional Coordinator - Gippsland enquiry via EthicalJobs.

How to apply

Carefully review the key selection criteria and address these in your application. In addition, include your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications.

Please note that applications that do not address the key selection criteria will not be considered.

Please submit your application by clicking Apply Now.

*Rolling interviews will be held, so we encourage applicants to apply before closing date.

Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin.  Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith; identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health. 

Find out more about working at Switchboard.