Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition - Systemic Advocate

Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition – Systemic Advocate

About the Organisation 

The Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer & Community Coalition (AODCCC) is the Peak Body for alcohol and other drug, consumer, family, and community Systemic Advocacy in Western Australia. Our aim is to empower the voices of consumers, their families and supports, to promote the interests, education, and welfare of those affected by alcohol and other drug use.

Our Mission

To promote the interests, education, and welfare of those affected by alcohol and other drug use.

Our Vision

Community understanding shaped by the voice of people and families with a living and lived experience of Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Our Values

Inclusion – We acknowledge the legitimacy of everyone’s experience and provide a safe space for diverse views to be shared.

Collaboration – We look for opportunities to bring consumers, family, community, policy makers and providers together for real change.

Accountability–  We consult broadly and are open about our intent, activities, and outcomes.

Leadership – We share bold visions and take courageous steps towards what is needed in the community.

Integrity – We respect and value the different perspectives and experiences of alcohol and other drug use.

About the Systemic Advocate Role

Reporting to the Executive Manager, the Systemic Advocate is an AODCCC member and stakeholder engagement role. You will be responsible for engaging the AODCCC membership and drawing out their alcohol and other drug lived and living experience with a view to inform change, implement AODCCC advocacy strategies, and articulate advocacy positions. This will include the development of submissions and position statements, in collaboration with the AODCCC team. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have diverse experience in advocacy and campaigning, with knowledge and or experience in government systems and the alcohol and other drug sector.

You will be required to network with members and stakeholders while building the AODCCC membership. This will involve community presentations, group facilitation, outreach, and online engagement. You will be attending a variety of meetings, representing the AODCCC, ensuring the needs of those impacted by alcohol and other drugs is heard at all levels of decision making in the sector.

The Systemic Advocate will also be responsible for coordinating and facilitating a monthly Reference Group, made up of AODCCC members. You will provide support to ensure that it is a constructive group, supporting diverse opinions and perspectives to help guide AODCCC in its activities while maintaining authentic grass roots engagement.

You will also be responsible for providing the members with information to develop practical skills to assist them as consumer and family representatives. Group facilitation skills will be required.

You will be collaborating with the team in generating new engagement opportunities for consumers and the community while implementing projects. This will require initiative, creativity, and perseverance, but provides an exciting opportunity to be at the frontlines of a new movement of empowerment for those impacted by alcohol and other drugs.

The key responsibilities of the role include: 

• Work collaboratively with the AODCCC team in the development of advocacy campaigns, strategies, and responses.
• Assist in the development of Government Submissions, Position Statements and Reports, collating member feedback and experiences, while maintaining authenticity.
• Engage and build the AODCCC membership, promoting the organisation through outreach, sector engagement and networking opportunities.
• Coordinate and facilitate a monthly Member Reference Group, providing support to ensure that it is a constructive and sustainable group to help guide AODCCC in its activities.
• Attend steering and advisory meetings on behalf of the AODCCC, ensuring the needs of those impacted by alcohol and other drugs are heard at all levels of decision making in the sector.
• Engage in public speaking events providing presentations on AODCCC and increase networks across the sector.
• Keep up to date on the Alcohol and Other Drug sector, drug trends, research, treatment options and stakeholder developments.
• Facilitate group engagements, information, and workshop opportunities.
• Work collaboratively in establishing new engagement opportunities and projects, with a view to promote the interests, education, and welfare of those affected by alcohol and other drug use.
• Assist in the development of feedback mechanisms, including surveys and questionnaires.
• Perform other duties as requested/required.

Administration and Reporting

• Contribute to Government Submissions, Position Statements and Reports relating to systemic advocacy as required.
• Read and comment on policy and circulating draft papers as requested.
• Maintain records of engagements and diarise appointments.
• Maintain records of motor vehicle usage (odometer).
• Maintain records of member evaluation and feedback.
• Maintaining strict records management routines of engagement and projects undertaken.

Training and Education

• Attend professional training courses as deemed appropriate/necessary.
• Read circulating newsletters and materials to keep informed of consumer movement and alcohol and other drug issues.

Meetings

• Attending scheduled Staff and Systemic Advocacy meetings
• Attend meetings as requested by the Executive Manager

CRITERIA 

ESSENTIAL

1. Relevant tertiary qualification and/or sector experience (i.e. Social Work, Law, Public Policy, Human Rights, Community Development, Community Services)
2. Report and Submission writing skills.
3. Experience in the provision of advocacy services in a service delivery environment.
4. Experience working in the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector, either as a stakeholder or service provider.
5. Ability and experience collaborating with community members from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with an alcohol and other drug lived and or living experience.
6. Group presentation and public speaking skills.
7. Advanced communication and interpersonal skills to be able to advocate, negotiate, influence, mediate and develop effective workplace relationships with members and other stakeholders.
8. Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities simultaneously, in order to meet deadlines.
9. Must be proficient in the use of information technology including email, the internet and Microsoft Office.
10. Proficient with survey and feedback development products (Survey Monkey, Microsoft Forms)

DESIRABLE

1. Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline.
2. A personal lived experience with alcohol and other drugs, including that of a significant other or family member.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS 

1. Must hold Australian citizenship or be a permanent resident of Australia.
2. Must hold a current driver’s license, have a working vehicle and willingness to use it for work related tasks. (All work related vehicle usage will be reimbursed).
3. National Police Clearance (obtained no less than 3 months from date of employment) (Please note criminal history will not be an automatic barrier to employment)
4. Working with Children check.

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter addressing the criteria (2-page max) and a current Resume via the “apply” link on SEEK.

Please direct any enquiries to Alex Arpino via email: [email protected]

This role is a full-time, permanent position. Level 4, Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Award.

We are a close-knit, highly collaborative team of four staff. We offer flexible working conditions and are a family friendly employer. We acknowledge the legitimacy of everyone’s experience and provide a safe space for diverse views to be shared. We strive to live by our values of Inclusion, Collaboration, Accountability, Leadership, and Integrity.

Salary Packaging is available.

Applications close COB 7th May