Is this you?  

You're an engaging and inspiring leader in the multidisciplinary health, AOD or harm reduction space who is ready for your next challenge. You understand the importance of balancing client outcomes, clinical governance and developing a strong team culture all while keeping programs/services humming along. You will be the captain of this team, but when we are in thick of it, you know the importance of playing off each-other’s strengths and having each-others back #1YP.

You will come with a relevant, recognised qualifications (tertiary is highly desired) in health promotion, AOD, Community health or other related disciplines.

You thrive on empowering teams  

You are able to prioritise tasks, support your team and coordinate service delivery, all while balancing lots of plates in the air. You know the importance of coaching and developing your team which will include entry-level Social and Youth workers.  

You’re a people person 

You understand the importance of stakeholder management, both internally and externally. Your portfolio will include stakeholders across all levels of government, and it will be up to you to manage these relationships. You will be able to take it all in your stride (the relationships, reporting and programmatic reviews) because you understand the importance and impact of what we do at Youth Projects.

You’re bendy

You can switch from writing a report on the impact of a harm reduction program to debriefing and providing clinical counselling to one of your team members in the blink of an eye. You can flex your approach up, down and sideways. You know the importance of boundaries and frameworks, but are an active listener and tailor your coaching and support based on the needs of the people you are working with. Changing lives is your passion but you still embrace rolling up your sleeves and mucking in to get the job done.  

You care

You’re full of creative ways to meet our service users and teams where they are at and believe that engagement shouldn’t be a one size fits all model. You always see the person, not just their immediate situation because you understand that everyone has different needs, and that is okay.  

Our frontline warriors and change makers are all here because we genuinely want to break the cycle of disadvantage, and we want you to want that too!

A bit about the role

The Harm Reduction & Outreach Program Manager will be a highly motivated person who can engage, liaise and negotiate with a broad range of workers and organisations/agencies. This position requires high-level management skills to execute and achieve deliverables within timelines and, managing and providing oversight within Youth Projects when working with people who have complex needs. We're looking for a leader who can embed and maintain a culture of strengths-based service delivery and non-judgemental approach to client servicing. 

The role requires specialist skills and experience - preferably in the drug and alcohol or harm reduction sector, servicing people who have complex needs and who present with diverse and often challenging behaviours. In particular, the role requires detailed knowledge and understanding of Harm Reduction principles, Youth AOD best practice and the Social Model of Health.  

This role will provide management within our harm reduction program offering including our Needle Syringe Programs, Proactive Overdose Response Initiative, Youth AOD Outreach programs, and other programs as designated.  

Site Location: This role will be based at our Glenroy HQ with outreach across Northwest Melbourne.  

If you worked here this past month here are some things you might have been involved in: 

• Debriefing with our team of Youth Outreach workers when they have clients in crisis.  
• Leading the development of annual reports for our funders  
• Scheduling and facilitating clinical supervision sessions for your direct reports  
• The scoping and set up of our new youth focused sexual health clinic  
• Interviewing Harm Reduction focused youth workers, social workers, nurses and GPs for our ever growing programs.  
• Reviewing and enhancing best practice frameworks across all Harm Reduction and Youth AOD programs 
• Attending our 1YP day!  
• Assisting in the growth and development of Community Health services  
• Maintaining the roster for our Needle Exchange program  
• Developing and gaining approval for your annual budget  
• Working collaboratively across all portfolios to identify program improvements and opportunities for growth 
• And a whole lot more!  

Key requirements for this role

• Experience as an inspiring leader in the multidisciplinary health, AOD or harm reduction environment;
• Relevant tertiary or other qualification/s in health promotion, AOD, Community health or related disciplines;
• As a person, you thrive on empowering teams, are bendy and a real people-centred person; and most of all,
• You care!

A bit about us

We are an independent, registered charity providing front line support to young people and people experiencing homelessness to open up pathways out of poverty and homelessness - breaking the cycle of disadvantage. Our focus is on respect, client-centred care, and harm prevention so people can lead longer lives, have improved health, meaningful employment, and a greater sense of belonging, safety, and security through our holistic model of care.  

In 2021 alone, this is (some) of what we got up to:  

• Over 8,000 people accessed our services  
• Welcomed 16,431 visits to The Living Room  
• 80% of the young people we supported landed sustainable employment or education outcomes 
• More than 150,000 coffees were sold through our social enterprise cafes with $73K profit re-directed into homelessness and youth services 
• Experienced 130,000+ contacts through our harm minimisation programs 

You can read more in our Impact Report or you’ll find us right across Naarm/Melbourne with our main hubs located in Glenroy, Sunshine, Werribee, Melton and on Hosier Lane in the heart of the city. 

For more information on this position please download the Success Profile (Job description).

Why should you work with us?   

We’re a casual and flexible, yet professional and high energy workplace. We encourage flexibility for a healthy work/life balance and although we are very serious about our work, we are very chill when it comes time to wind down. Every day you spend working with us, you’re making a difference. Although they're pretty great perks, we don’t just stop there… here are some of the others: 

• Free, locally roasted coffee at the office  
• A portion of your income as tax-free through generous salary packaging benefits 
• PLUS additional tax-free salary packaging on meals & entertainment expenses 
• Flexible work environment & flexibility to take extra unpaid leave for travel while working
• 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Uncapped Employee Assistance Program 
• Additional paid leave for caregiving, wellbeing, family violence, study PLUS an extra 5 personal leave days 

Salary 

We’re a non-profit organisation that fills from a full cup, not always a full pocket. In order to attract strong talent, we pay competitively and remunerate based on your skills and experience and are determined to make this the best job you'll ever have.  

This position is paid between $90,000 - $100,000 (dependent on skills and experience).

 

Think you have what it takes and want to join the team at Youth Projects?  

Send through a cover letter addressing the 'Key requirements for this role' along with your resume to [email protected].

Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered. Recruitment for this position will be undertaken as applications are received - the position will be filled when a successful candidate has been selected. 

Please note is a requirement of all Youth Projects positions that the successful applicant holds a valid Working with Children’s Check, Police Check and is vaccinated for Covid-19.

Our commitment to diversity 

At Youth Projects, we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions and encourage applications from candidates with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and indigenous candidates 

Safety screening 

Youth Projects has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation. All Youth Projects staff must undergo Police and Working with Children Checks.