• 0.8 FTE, fixed-term contract for 6 months with possibility of extension
• Level 5 - SCHADS award
• Salary Packaging options available
• Located in Southbank

Position overview

VMIAC is a membership-based organisation, and our members are at the core of our work. We want to grow, diversify, support, listen and involve our members in meaningful relationships and activities. We demonstrate best practice when engaging people with lived and living experience (LLE), in all aspects of our organisation. We do so, holding the view our members can and should be contribute to the systemic transformation of the mental health system at the local, regional, state and national levels to bring about real change within the mental health system.

The Events Coordinator reports to the Engagement Lead and is responsible for planning, delivery and evaluation of Membership events and activities. The role will work with the Engagement Team to grow and activate VMIAC’s membership. It will assist in establishing trusting relationships with communities historically under-represented and those are most marginalised by and within Victoria’s mental health service system.

THIS IS A LIVED EXPERIENCE, CONSUMER POSITION

Applicants must have lived experience of mental health issues and/or emotional distress and consumer of mental health services. Applicants will receive supervision and support.

Applicants must consider themselves work ready; be capable of reflecting on how their own lived experience interacts with that of other; and be able of contributing to the development and implementation of collaborative ways of working.

VMIAC acknowledges the relationship between people’s mental health and colonisation, racism, ableism, Islamophobia, classism and intersecting forms of discrimination. We strongly encourage people from the following backgrounds to apply:

• First Nations
• Refugee and asylum seeker
• People of colour (often referred to as culturally and linguistically diverse)
• Public housing residents
• LGBTQI+
• A disability

Key responsibilities

Engaging and Activating Membership:

• Ability to communicate and build strong collaborative relationships with community members who have experienced institutional harm and human right violations.
• Using co-design and participatory models in the development and delivery of VMIAC’s engagement activities across Victoria
• Working with VMIAC’s Engagement Lead and Communication Lead to develop and implement an Engagement Strategy
• Coordination of membership event calendar to ensure VMIAC’s membership grows its engagement with communities historically represented within our membership and/or most marginalised by and within the mental health system
• Coordinating VMIAC’s membership data base and using this to prepare reports for the Committee of Management (CoM) and our funders
• Ensure administration and process of VMIACs Customer Relationship Management are base in line with record keeping requirements and privacy and confidentiality standards.

VMIACs Events Coordination:

• Coordination of Membership activities and events, e.g., membership meetings, the Annual General Meeting across Victoria
• Research vendors (event locations, accommodation, caterers, speakers, artists etc) and make selections based on their values, creativity, quality and cost
• Develop content for event materials in collaboration with the Communications Team to ensure the membership events/opportunities are well promoted via webpages, social media and newsletters
• Networking with and building collaborative relationships with organisations and other stakeholders as aligned with VMIAC's Strategic Plan and Membership Engagement Plan
• Work collaboratively with other members of the wider VMIAC team including attending and contributing to meetings to support VMIAC to realise its strategic plan
• Embrace VMIAC’s Code of Conduct - working to create a safe, supportive and happy workplace.
• Actively contribute to Workplace Health and Safety by taking reasonable care for personal health and safety and that of others in the workplace; raising suggestions and concerns as they arise to ensure a safe work environment for employees, consumers and visitors

Key Selection Criteria (to be addressed in application)

Essential requirements:

1. Lived experience as a consumer of mental health services and recovery and/or emotional distress
2. Experience in event planning and coordination in a non-profit context.
3. A positive “can-do” approach with a passion and commitment to radically changing the experiences of mental health consumers Proven track record of creative, successful events
4. Excellent organisational, communication, negotiation and multi-tasking skills
5. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team and respond flexibly to team demands and priorities

Remuneration and benefits

In return for your passion for mental health reform, lived experience expertise, and significant contribution you will have access to unique professional development opportunities and receive an attractive salary package which includes:

• SCHADS Base Salary Level 5 banding
• Generous Annual Professional Development Allowance
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Newly fitted out office space with access to onsite gym facilities and green space (close to South Melbourne market and public transport)

References and checks, probationary period

• Preferred candidates are required to complete and/or provide Police and Working with Children checks prior to final confirmation and commencement of employment.
• Referees are required and will be contacted for short listed applicants
• If fixed-term, the probationary period will be three months

Support and development

VMIAC will provide regular supervision and mentoring to the person in this role. All VMIAC roles include training and development opportunities, which can include the development of leadership and other required skills and attendance at conferences.

For enquiries relating to this position, please contact HR Officer, Melissa Jones at [email protected], using the subject line: Events Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.