Community Participation Project Officer - Position Description

Position DescriptionCommunity Participation Project Officer

1. OVERVIEW

Position Community Participation Project Officer

Employment status: Full time (12 month contract)

Accountability: Accountable to the Chief Executive Officer

Remuneration: Commensurate with responsibilities of position and experience of successful candidate

Salary packaging is available A mobile phone will be provided for business use

Location: Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056.

2. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENTHepatitis Victoria is the peak not-for-profit community-based organisation working across the state for people affected by, or at risk of, viral hepatitis. It is governed by an independent Board of Directors with the Chief Executive Officer and staff performing the day to day duties.

Hepatitis Victoria works to: Provide leadership and coordination for the Victorian community response to viral

hepatitis; Build a strong and sustainable organisation that works effectively across all

activities and is positioned to have greatest impact; Raise community awareness and prevent the transmission of viral hepatitis; Increase access to quality viral hepatitis information, care, treatment and support.

The organisation strives to address the needs of priority populations affected by viral hepatitis including:For hepatitis B: For hepatitis C: Culturally and linguistically diverse

communities People with hepatitis C

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

People who inject drugs

Pregnant women with hepatitis B and their children

People in custodial settings

Unvaccinated adults at risk of infection People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

People living in rural/regional Victoria People with hepatitis C co-morbidities Young people

3. OUR VISION AND VALUESOUR VISIONA Victorian community where there are no new infections of viral hepatitis and where those with hepatitis maximise health and wellbeing.OUR VALUES Respect – We respect all people affected by viral hepatitis, working always to

promote their dignity and to challenge stigma and discrimination Participation – We encourage people affected by viral hepatitis have input into our

work and to have their voices heard in relation to their wellbeing Diversity – We seek to understand and value the diverse circumstances and

cultures of the people and communities with whom we work Excellence – We aspire to do what we do well, and base our work on evidence of

need and of effectiveness Integrity – We work according to a consistent set of values and principles at all

times Innovation – We welcome new ideas, are open to change, and respond in

innovative ways to new circumstances Impact – We strive for maximum impact in relation to viral hepatitis, and to

promote the visibility of viral hepatitis issues in the community Collaborations – We seek to broaden our impact through strategic partnerships and

collaborations with others who can have a positive impact on viral hepatitis

4. POSITION CONTEXTThe Community Participation Officer is accountable to the Chief Executive Officer for ensuring that the organisation reflects the aspirations of the organisation in relation to being driven by, and responsive to, the needs of people affected by viral hepatitis in accordance with the organisation’s strategic plan.

The position reflects the commitment of Hepatitis Victoria to empower as well as to increase the voice of people affected by viral hepatitis amongst the Victorian community. It is located within the external relations and development section of the organisation, and would work closely with other team members including the Hepatitis Infoline and Community Participation Coordinator.

The Community Participation Project Officer will work closely with the rest of the team and the CEO to meet the organisation’s goals around building the involvement of people with viral hepatitis awareness within the organisation, and to increase the capacity of people affected by viral hepatitis to provide a greater range of peer-based activities and participate in chronic disease self management.

5. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS5.1 Community participation Take a leadership role in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a

Hepatitis Victoria community participation action plan Support program areas to determine priorities for community participation using

demographic data as well as feedback from the affected community. Determine and design relevant strategies for community/consumer participation in

consultation with Hepatitis Victoria staff and management Assist, support, facilitate and build the capacity of staff, relevant stakeholders as

well as the affected community to adopt community participation methods and programs

Develop and implement opportunities for the affected community to increase awareness in relation to viral hepatitis and advocate for their needs

Position Description- Community Participation Project Officer May 2013

Maintain information and resources for community participation Develop information, resources and tools for community participation.5.2 Health coaching Provision of online and face-to-face chronic disease self-management programs for

people with viral hepatitis Leading the development of innovative ways to expand the affected community’s

access to chronic disease self management and health coaching, including the use of digital communications.

Support program areas to incorporate principles of health coaching and chronic disease self management into their work, and to deliver health coaching and chronic disease self-management.

5.3 Peer connections In conjunction with other staff, particularly the Infoline and Community

Participation coordinator, plan, develop and implement a range of peer support initiatives for people affected by viral hepatitis

In conjunction with other staff, develop a Hepatitis Public Speakers Bureau to recruit, train and support people with viral hepatitis as positive speakers to educate peers and the wider community about the lived experience of viral hepatitis

Explore the needs of carers of people with viral hepatitis, people from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and other priority populations and scope appropriate peer-based services for these communities.

5.4 Team work and general duties Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the organisations

strategic goals and associated activities Attend and contribute to internal and external meetings as appropriate Consult and liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholders to support all

responsibility areas Contribute to Hepatitis Victoria’s general activities such as its publications and

awareness raising initiatives Promote Hepatitis Victoria’s general activities and services to outside agencies and

individuals Prepare regular operational reports on responsibilities, with analysis and

measurements of outcomes, and use to explain the role and contribution of the organisation.

Other duties commensurate with the position, as agreed.

5.6 General Abide by Hepatitis Victoria’s policies and procedures Undertake general administrative duties to support the role At all times maintain confidentiality of information about service users, members,

staff, volunteers and other personnel.


5. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Relevant qualifications in a community development, engagement or health

promotion field Experience in community engagement/participation and or community

development, particularly with marginalised and disadvantaged communities Knowledge of the principles of health coaching and chronic disease self

management Demonstrated experience in developing community participation strategies and

associated evaluation techniques Experience in the use of media, promotions and online communications to increase

participation Thorough understanding of access, equity, participation and stigma issues,

especially in the area of community and health services Demonstrated excellence in written reports, action plans and broad

communications Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build networks and work

collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders The ability to develop an in-depth understanding of the complexities of viral

hepatitis

Desirable Good working knowledge of contemporary communication practices, particularly in

the digital area Demonstrated ability to communicate complex and sometimes sensitive messages

to a variety of audiences using a wide variety of medium Demonstrated ability to identify improvements, recommend solutions, innovate

and work proactively Strong negotiation and time management skills, with the capacity to respond

flexibly and to manage multiple projects. A driver’s licence current for the State of Victoria.

6. GENERAL INFORMATION Hepatitis Victoria is committed to cultural diversity in the workplace, and is an

equal opportunity employer. People affected by viral hepatitis are encouraged to apply

The conditions of employment are those contained in the Hepatitis Victoria Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2010

A vehicle will be provided for work related duties. A mobile phone will be provided for business use. The phone may be used for

private purposes, with additional costs reimbursable to Hepatitis Victoria Regular performance reviews will be conducted using mutually established

performance indicators


7. APPLICATIONS

Send your letter of application, addressing the Key Selection Criteria to:

Ms Melanie EagleChief Executive OfficerHepatitis VictoriaSuite 5, 200 Sydney RoadBRUNSWICK 3056or via email to [email protected]

Applications close at 5-00 pm on Friday 7 June 2013

For further enquiries, call Garry Irving, Programs and Operations Manager on (03) 9380 4644 or 0417 511 691.

Important note: Please keep your letter of application to no more than two pages and your resume to no more than four pages. Applications exceeding this requirement may not be considered.


mailto:[email protected]

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Community Participation Project Officer - Position Description