DFV Specialist Worker (Multicultural Focus)

We are seeking a Domestic and Family Violence worker (Multicultural Focus) to join our Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (Sydney WDVCAS) team. You will be part of delivering a best practice, specialist, trauma-informed model of service delivery to women affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) and ensuring an integrated response to women assessed as at serious threat of harm.

About the role

The DFV Specialist Worker (Multicultural Focus) works closely with colleagues in the Sydney WDVCAS team to provide an effective and streamlined service that assists women experiencing DFV with threat assessment and safety planning, case coordination, information and court advocacy. The successful applicant will have strong interpersonal and organisational skills, and knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic and family violence including AVO applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues.

Applicants must have a commitment to empowering women and children affected by DFV, an understanding or willingness to learn the principles of a trauma-informed approach to service delivery.  The successful applicant will have demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and have experience, or demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with multicultural community groups. Outreach work with multicultural referrers and engagement with activities in multicultural communities is a requirement of the role. The ideal applicant will have proficiency in a community language other than English; in particular, Mandarin, Cantonese or the Thai language.

This position is open to female applicants only. SWSLC considers being a woman to be a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s. 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Details

Download Position Description

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics, complexities and legal and social welfare consequences of domestic violence;
• Demonstrated understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic violence including Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with key stakeholders in the area;
• Demonstrated understanding of the particular needs of and challenges faced by clients from diverse communities, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse clients;
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support;
• Ability to deliver services in accordance with policies, principles and other operational documents;
• Sound organisational, administrative and management skills;
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution;
• Ability to work effectively with interpreter services and other support services for victims with specific needs;
• Proficiency in a language other than English; and
• Basic IT skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience using Mac.

How to Apply

1. Visit our website https://swslc.org.au/contact/work-with-us/ for a copy of the position description, essential and desirable criteria and instructions on how to apply.
2. Send your covering letter, resume and a document detailing how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria to alison@swslc.org.au
3. Please address the essential criteria in full. Applications that do not address the essential criteria will not be considered.

South West Sydney Legal Centre

South West Sydney Legal Centre (SWSLC) is a not for profit, community legal centre. We deliver legal services to facilitate access to justice for disadvantaged people in South West Sydney including specialised legal services for victim-survivors of DFV. We also provide information, court support, referral and casework to victim-survivors of DFV through government funded DFV services. Our DFV services cover LGAs in South West Sydney and Central Sydney.

SWSLC uses a multidisciplinary model bringing together lawyers, social workers, and community workers to provide trauma-informed, client-centred and culturally safe legal assistance and DFV support services to clients. Services are provided through phone support and face-to-face services in our offices, at courts and through outreach services and community engagement. SWSLC has offices in Liverpool, Bankstown, Smithfield and Sydney.