Sexual Harm Response Coordinator
A fantastic opportunity exists to join the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) in providing independent, trauma-informed advice, support and advocacy to students. This role reports to the Manager, Advocacy and Legal.
- 0.8 Fixed-term role (28 hours per week for 6 months)
- Challenging and rewarding role
- Excellent staff benefits
ABOUT UMSU
With a living history that extends over 130 years, at the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) we are committed to providing quality experiences on campus that create a community for students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
As a non-profit organisation run by students, for students, we keep the arts, representation, advocacy, live music and cultural services alive on campus. We provide the platforms for students to immerse themselves in a wealth of cultural facilities and events, whilst having access to quality support services. It’s about making sure that students have advocacy and representation on campus. And it’s all about the battle to keep student voices in the big picture whilst making students’ time at the University fun and enjoyable.
ABOUT THE DIVISION
The Advocacy & Legal Division encompasses a co-located Community Legal Centre and Advocacy Service available to all students at the University of Melbourne.
The University of Melbourne Student Union Legal Service provides free legal advice to all students at the University of Melbourne, as well as running volunteer programmes and providing community legal education. The Advocacy Service provides an advisory and advocacy service to students at the University of Melbourne in relation to formal andinformal University procedures.
Staff in the Advocacy & Legal Division are also responsible for providing information and other forms of support to the elected student representatives of UMSU, including UMSU International.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Sexual Harm Response Coordinator is responsible for providing independent, trauma-informed advice, support and advocacy to students who have experienced sexual violence; assisting them to make informed choices about reporting their experience, and supporting them through their preferred action, while maximising their rights, options and control.
The position also performs an internal advisory function within UMSU, assisting the organisation to develop and implement best practice approaches to responding to and preventing sexual violence, within the broader University community.
The incumbent will also assume responsibility for the following key areas:
- Provide internal advice on relevant UMSU policy and procedures for responding to and eliminating sexual violence against students;
- Provide internal advice to UMSU student representatives on responding to and eliminating sexual violence against students;
- Provide specialist support and information, advice, and advocacy to students who have experienced sexual violence, including information regarding survivors’ rights and options with legal and medical systems
- Develop and maintain relationships with community and University services, including the Safer Community Program, to develop collaborative and complementary service delivery to students;
- Assist in the delivery of community education and professional training to raise awareness of sexual violence against students, and its prevention;
- Develop and maintain networks with relevant professional groups and community-based organisations;
- Liaison and consultation with other professionals, including the Safer Community Program, police, Counselling and Psychological Services, university and external crisis accommodation services, mental health services, Courts and medical services; and
- Contribute to regular service reporting via the collection of relevant data, and data analysis.
ABOUT YOU
To succeed in this position, you will have significant experience in a similar role, and a working knowledge of accessibility and social inclusion that form the basis of your approach to advice and support.
Essential skills include:
- Possession of (or progress towards) postgraduate qualifications in psychology, social work, or a related field coupled with extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training;
- Demonstrated experience in providing trauma informed support to victim/survivors of sexual violence;
- A comprehensive understanding of the impacts and dynamics of sexual violence within a feminist, structural, individual, and medico-legal context;
- Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of culturally, gender and age-appropriate services;
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, and proven experience in preparing written reports for therapeutic and legal purposes;
- Sound working knowledge of relevant legal frameworks pertaining to sexual violence.
View the full position description here.
In return we offer:
- An eclectic, ethical workplace culture and flexible approach to our work;
- Salary base of $92,554 (pro rata)
- True life/work balance – check out our benefits which include a 35 hour working week, 5 weeks leave, leave loading 17.5% and 12% superannuation; and
- Access to professional development opportunities tailored to you and your career path
This is a 0.8 fixed-term position for six months (28 hours per week) with possibility of extension.
HOW TO APPLY
Please familiarise yourself with our organisation via our website and social media platforms to assist and inform your application. Applications for this position close 5pm Monday 17 January 2022 and should be addressed to Phoebe Churches, interim CEO, at recruitment@union.unimelb.edu.au
Applications should include:
- a covering letter addressing all the key selection criteria
- curriculum vitae including recent campaign work that you were fully responsible for
- contact details of three (3) referees
All applicants require:
- a valid Employee Working with Children Check
- verification of unrestricted work rights in Australia, for example, citizenship, passport or birth certificate
- certified copies of qualifications
UMSU reserves the right to withdraw an advertised position at any stage.