Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Program

• Full-time position based in NSW
• Salary packaging benefits available.

Are you passionate about reducing the impact of suicide Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander in your communities? Do you have experience managing multi-site, multi-disciplinary & client facing teams? Do you have qualifications or experience in Management, Allied Health or Community Development? Do you enjoy interstate and national travel?

About us

Wesley Mission is a high profile, multi-faceted Christian organisation making a real difference in the community. We work with the most disadvantaged in our community by providing over 200 services ranging from aged care, homeless services, child and family care, counselling, employment, training and education, and health services.

Our Vision is “A Spirit-led disciple-making movement: doing all the good we can because every life matters”.

About the program

Wesley Mission have pioneered community led suicide prevention, intervention and postvention activities since establishing the first Lifeline service 59 years ago.

Our national team supports a network of volunteers to deliver interventions which address risk factors and social determinants of suicide across 132 communities around Australia. Our programs have a whole of government, community and populations reach into at risk populations and communities, with 85.4% of our network members identifying as having a lived experience of suicide.

About the role

This role is responsible to lead Wesley Lifeforce’s Suicide Prevention work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationally. It is expected you are known as a champion of culture, have experience or qualifications in Mental Health, Counselling or an appropriate field and have experience working in rural or remote communities.

Your background may include community development or engagement programs, mental health, social work or public health. You will be comfortable leading conversations and advocacy around Suicide and its impacts and be skilled at focusing your team on achieving contractual and organisational KPIs. We are looking for a grassroots leader who possesses experience, strength, resilience and compassion.

About you

To be successful in this position, it is essential you have demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, respectfully and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have demonstrated knowledge of prevention and early intervention on the issue of Suicide, demonstrated knowledge of support and quality aftercare following a Suicide attempt, and demonstrated capacity to provide crisis support.

It is also important that the applicant has well developed written and verbal interpersonal communication skills plus demonstrated knowledge of community-controlled organisations with the skills and experience to build and maintain genuine sustainable relationships.

Whilst not essential, it is desirable that the applicant holds a tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology or a relevant human service / mental health area and/or nationally accredited training in Suicide Prevention.

Essential criteria

• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, along with letter of Aboriginality from a community-controlled organisation
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and issues; particularly those issues affected by social determinants
• Experience in community engagement activities with Aboriginal communities and organisations, gaining outcomes and mutual benefits
• Demonstrated experience leading a multi-site, multi-disciplinary team
• Tertiary qualifications in Management, Allied Health or Suicide Prevention
• Demonstrated experience in working within a highly regulated environment measuring efficiencies and effectiveness of services within a KPI framework
• Understanding and experience in data collection, database management and report writing skills
• Experience in developing and implementing project plans
• Excellent organisational skills and the capacity to work with minimal supervision
• Experience in facilitating meetings
• Current driver’s licence.

Desirable criteria

• Qualifications in Suicidology, Mental Health, Social Work or Psychology and eligibility for membership within the regulatory body of your relevant discipline
• Experience working with state or federal health agencies in health or community development projects
• Current membership or engagement with Suicide Prevention Australia.

This position requires frequent intrastate and interstate travel.

Benefits of working at Wesley Mission

• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to discounted health and travel insurance
• Career growth and training opportunities in a valuable sector
• Attractive tax saving salary packaging, sacrifice up to $15,900 of your yearly income.

Wesley Mission is a Christian organisation requiring all staff to affirm its values. We are committed to providing an environment in which children can feel safe and valued.

The suitable applicant will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks for appointment to positions within Wesley Mission.

Wesley Mission has determined that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification for this position, under s14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act (NSW) 1977.