Women’s Legal Service Victoria | Melbourne CBD | Immediate start | Hybrid working model | Full time or Part time - negotiable (minimum 0.8EFT) | 3-year Maximum Term

• Be a part of a feminist community legal service supporting Victorian women.
• Your expertise will directly contribute to building a more gender-equitable society.
• Competitive remuneration, 5 weeks annual leave and flexible work arrangements.

About Us

For over 40 years Women’s Legal Service Victoria (Women’s Legal) has championed women’s rights to live free from violence. We are a dedicated team with a passion for working with women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination by:

• Providing high quality integrated legal services for Victorian women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence and disadvantaged or marginalised by structural and systemic barriers.
• Building the capacity of professionals who work with women and non-binary people, to better understand the law and navigate the legal system safely.
• Advancing gender equality by challenging unsafe and discriminatory policies and laws and informing and advocating for legal and policy initiatives that respect and promote the rights of women and non-binary people.

About the Role

The financial counsellor will deliver specialist family violence financial counselling services to women experiencing family violence and who are experiencing housing instability. They will work collaboratively with lawyers and social workers as part of an integrated model of service.

• Conduct confidential and sensitive assessments of clients’ financial situations in the context of family violence
• Assess risk factors related to financial abuse using MARAM framework and provide immediate strategies to increase safety
• Provide financial counselling assistance and advice to service users and manage a caseload of clients
• Work collaboratively with external services via warm referrals or information sharing to assist clients to remain safe and supported
• Assist clients to understand their consumer rights and negotiate with creditors

The funding for this position is new and has a focus on Victorians experiencing financial hardships where rental or mortgage stress is a contributing factor.

About You

You are a compassionate financial counsellor with a trauma-informed approach and a strong understanding of financial abuse and housing instability. You are skilled in building trust and you work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to support women experiencing family violence. You bring strong communication, problem-solving and advocacy skills; helping clients navigate financial challenges and regain stability.

Key to your success is your:

• Knowledge of relevant State and Federal credit, debt and social security legislation
• An understanding of the trauma victim-survivors experience and the capacity to work with complex client presentations in a non-judgemental manner
• Experience working with diverse communities, and a commitment to culturally safe practice

You will:

• Hold a diploma of Financial Counselling
• Be a member of/eligible for membership of, Financial Counselling Victoria Inc (FCVic)
• Have at least 3 years' experience in providing financial counselling to clients in a community or not for profit organisation

Why Women’s Legal?

In return for your dedication, we offer:

• Competitive remuneration
• 5 weeks annual leave, plus bonus leave between Christmas and New Year!
• Paid parental leave and reproductive health leave
• Cultural leave
• A strong commitment to your professional development, personal development, and wellbeing
• A hybrid working model and a flexible working environment that supports work/non-work balance
• NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15,900 in tax-free pay every year) plus meal and entertainment benefits (up to $2,650 tax-free pay per year)
• Fresh fruit available in the office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program

To apply

Submit a resume and covering letter by clicking 'Apply now' to tell us how you are the right candidate for this role. Please ensure the cover letter addresses how you personally align to Women’s Legal values, as described in the attached position description.

Research shows that women are less likely to apply for roles if they don’t meet 100% of the selection criteria. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the criteria, but this role sounds like a good fit for you.

Please note, non-lawyers employed by Women’s Legal Service Victoria are required to comply with Section 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

All successful candidates will be required to produce a national criminal history check prior to the commencement of their employment.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be emailed to Ruth McKendrick, HR Officer at [email protected] using the subject line: Financial Counsellor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge, skills and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences, including those with lived experience of family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women with disability and women from migrant, refugee or non-English speaking backgrounds. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Women's Legal relies on an exception under the Equal Opportunity Act to employ women only.