Job Description
SOCIAL POLICY RESEARCHER/CO-ORDINATOR
Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service is
a Catholic social services Agency which works with communities in inner
Melbourne, the Western suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.
Good Shepherd provides a broad range of services to young people and
families experiencing hardship and various forms of disadvantage.
Social Policy, Advocacy and Research, leading to social action and change,
are characteristic of the Agency. The work of the Social Policy Unit
is central to the task of enabling the Agency to fulfill its social justice
mission.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Responsibilities
1. To be accountable to the Director and service users for the quality
of work of the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service Social Policy Unit.
2. To co-ordinate the activities of the Social Policy Unit so that
all team members have a clear understanding of their role and their function
within the Unit.
Duties
Skills and Experience
1. Further develop advocacy, networking, research and social action
as characteristics of the Agency.
2. Actively participate in groups and organisations associated with
movements toward social change and provide leadership in matters relating
to social policy.
3. Monitor and analyse the impact of government and other policies
on community needs, and produce the results of such analysis in an appropriate
form for dissemination, and to assist policy development.
4. Develop and maintain effective links with the media.
5. Identify and research current issues as guided by community needs
and Agency priorities.
6. Develop links with universities and other tertiary and research
institutions, and co-ordinate student projects on relevant social and economic
policy initiatives through the development and supervision of suitable
arrangements.
7. In conjunction with the Director, work towards the development of
an enhanced policy research centre.
8. Assist the Agency and the Good Shepherd Sisters in developing an
Australia-wide Good Shepherd body with a national voice on policy issues.
1. A knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to the principles of
social justice.
2. An understanding of the issues faced by people living on low incomes.
3. Demonstrated ability to carry out policy analysis and research.
4. Ability to produce written material at short notice.
5. Ability to produce material in a form appropriate to:
· Attract media coverage
· Promote social policy development
· Clearly present alternative perspectives
6. Experience or interest in working with the media.
7. Ability to work as part of a team.
8. Ability to co-ordinate the Unit’s activities across a range of staff
and their roles.
9. Ability to supervise students.
10. Highly developed computer literacy and Internet skills.
11. Appropriate tertiary qualifications.
12. Drivers license preferred.
Conditions
Full time position (38 hours per week)
Salary: $44,000 (salary packaging available)
Conditions: In accordance with the Federal Social and Community Services
Award with Good Shepherd over-Award components.
Applications to: Michael YoreDirectorGood Shepherd Youth and Family
Service117 Johnston StreetCollingwood 3066
Closing Date: Friday, 8th September, 2000
Good Shepherd's Annual
Report 1999
is now on this sight!
Good Shepherd is currently involved in a number of projects:
The report "Money Lenders or Loan Sharks" which outllines the consumers' perspective of the impacts of the dergulation of the the pawnbroking industry and other legislative amendments to the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act (1989)
The forum will be held on 17 April 2000 from 10:30-1:00
at
Northcote Town Hall Mayor & Councillors' Room
1st Floor, 350 High Street, Preston.
All interested people are welcome!