Nepean Blue Mountains Bicultural Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Project Officer (South Sudanese) #1164-5

Do you want to work in one of Australia’s leading organisations providing treatment and rehabilitation to torture and trauma survivors; that’s quality focused, diverse & committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people in communities? 

Come & join us! 

The Organisation 

"STARTTS is a not-for-profit Affiliated Health Organisation focused on providing a broad range of services to refugees in NSW. The focus of STARTTS approach is on building capacity and empowering people and communitiesto take control over their own lives, using a strengths-based approach and building on individual, family, community and culturalstrengths." 

Perks and Benefits 

• Employment with attractive leave entitlements including 14 weeks paid parental leave, 4 weeks annual  leave and paid Accrued Day Off (ADO) (full-time employees only) and other entitlements.
• Salary packaging options that reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay.
• Great education opportunities through our Training department. 
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.
• Discounted gym memberships with a Fitness Passport. 
• Flexible hybrid work 
• For Rural and Regional positions only 

- Relocation costs may be considered. 

- Visa Sponsorship or Sponsorship of 482 visa transfer may be provided for the right candidate. 

The Role 

This position will be working within STARTTS Community Services Team to work with support structures in the  South Sudanese community to increase capacity of community leaders, peer educators and community  support structures to identify and support people at risk of suicide or serious mental health illness and make appropriate referrals. The position will deliver psycho-education and lifestyle/wellbeing group interventions to  enable South Sudanese community members better identify signs of distress in themselves and develop  appropriate coping strategies, develop mutually supportive relationships, break social isolation, reduce stigma  associated with seeking mental health assistance, increase knowledge and access to a variety of mental health  services. The position is funded by Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network – Wentworth Healthcare. 

Details

Download Position Description

Essential Criteria

1. Qualifications or significant experience in psychology, social work, health promotion, community  development, counselling, or other relevant discipline. 
2. Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating groups in a cross-cultural  context. 
3. Demonstrated understanding of the effects of torture and trauma on individuals, families, and  communities and its impact on resettlement in Australian context. 
4. Demonstrated understanding of the needs and issues faced by South Sudanese community settling in  NSW with focus on Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD). 
5. Demonstrated understanding of and capacity to connect with South Sudanese community leaders  organisations, networks and structures. 
6. Knowledge of appropriate mental health literacy interventions and suicide prevention frameworks  and strategies. 
7. Effective oral, written & interpersonal communication skills in English and one of the major South  Sudanese community languages and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office. 
8. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team within a multicultural  environment. 

*This position is considered child-related employment and willrequire a Working with Children Background Check and a National Police Check. 

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS 

*This role is a Category A role. It is mandatory for Category A workers to meet and maintain the vaccination criteria (as per the current  NSW Health and STARTTS policies). 

Vaccination and/or assessment is required for Category A workers for the following transmissible diseases – measles, mumps, rubella,  hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and tuberculosis.  

COVID19 vaccination is strongly recommended, but not a requirement for employment. 

If successful you must provide evidence of vaccination and/or assessment. 

Should you not be able to comply with vaccination requirements before your commencement date, the offer of employment may be  withdrawn. 

If you have a medical reason for why you cannot be vaccinated, a medical contraindication evidence will be required.

Desirable Criteria

1. Knowledge of stakeholders in refugee/migrant/Mental Health sector in NBMLHD.
2. Experience in working with South Sudanese community development and/or group work setting.
3. Current NSW Driver’s license. 

Other Information

Enquiries: Atem on (02) 9646 6700 

Work Type: Part-time; 32 hours per week. Contract up to 30 June 2025 (Continuation subject to ongoing funding) 

Location: Blacktown

Vaccination Requirement: Category A. 

Salary: Health Education Officer, or other relevant classification based on qualifications, experience  and requirements of the role. A generous salary packaging scheme is also offered. 

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the selection criteria as thoroughly as possible.

1. Complete a https://www.startts.org.au/jobs/employment-application-form/
2. Write a Statement Against the Selection Criteria outlining how you meet the selection criteria (see the guide “How to apply for a job at STARTTS”)
3. Submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
4. Provide copies of relevant Qualifications if applicable (overseas qualification must be assessed by an appropriate Australian body to be considered)
5. Statements of Service from previous relevant roles (if applicable, please ask us for a sample)
6. A cover letter is optional.
7. Email your application and supporting documents to: STTS-Jobs@health.nsw.gov.au

Closing date: Monday 12 August 2024 

NB: Depending on the role, if appointed, you may need a current ‘NSW Working With Children Check’ clearance, follow this link for information on how to apply of your check: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/working-children-check/applicant

NSW STARTTS