POSITION DESCRIPTION

STARTTS is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and anti-discrimination policies.

POSITION NUMBER: 1164
POSITION TITLE:

Date reviewed/created: August, 2016

African Mental Health Learning Circle Project Officer

TEAM: Community Development

LOCATION: Auburn or Blacktown

AGREEMENT: NSW (Non-Declared) Affiliated Health Organisations Professional and Associated Staff
Agreement.
CLASSIFICATION: Health Education Officer or relevant.
A generous salary packaging scheme is also offered.
PART TIME: 16 hours per week.
PERIOD OF APPRAISAL: Performance will be assessed within 6 months of commencement and a 6 month
probationary/qualifying period will also apply.
Background to STARTTS
STARTTS is a state-wide service funded by the NSW Department of Health and Commonwealth Department
of Health to provide high quality assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services to people living in NSW
who have experienced organised violence or trauma associated with the refugee experience. STARTTS is an
Affiliated Health Organisation (AHO) whose services are deemed to be part of the NSW public health system.
STARTTS service provision philosophy is predicated on a bio-psycho-social framework that incorporated a
large range of clinical and psycho-social interventions informed by the latest advances in neuroscience and
evidence based practice in relevant fields. As such, STARTTS provides a broad range of services including
assessment; counselling for all age groups; psychiatric assessment and interventions; family therapy; group
interventions; body-focused interventions such as massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture and pain
management groups; support groups; programs for children and youth; and various strategies to increase the
capacity of support networks and refugee communities to sustain their members.
The focus of the STARTTS approach is on building capacity and empowering people and communities to
take control over their own lives, using a strengths-based approach and building on individual, family,
community and cultural strengths.

Background to the Program Area of the position

Community Services team covers a wide range of services for refugee individuals, families and communities.
The team is managed by the Community Services Coordinator and it consists of the following positions:
Community Development/Project Officers, Senior Youth Project Officer, Boys and Young Mens Project
Officer, Senior FICT Project Officer, FICT Project Officers, Evaluation Officer, Senior Community
Development Officer, Policy Officer, Capoeira Angola Teacher, Enterprise Facilitator, Dancing in Harmony
Project Officer, Communities in Cultural Transition Project Officer, Community Cultural Development Project
Officer, Sports Project Officer. The team also includes a Lawyer. Community Services Team is integral to the
STARTTS systemic approach to recovery of torture and trauma survivors. This position is funded through the
Partners in Recovery (PIR) West and will focus on development of mental health promotion strategies among
African communities in Western Sydney.
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ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
1. Responsible to: Community Development Team Leader
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential:
1. Qualifications or significant experience in community development, social science, counselling,
groupwork 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. Knowledge and experience in mental health, community development and project management.
5. Excellent understanding of the needs and issues faced by African communities settling in NSW and
experience in working with African communities in community development and/or groupwork setting.
6. Good communication skills in English and an African language relevant to African refugee
communities in NSW.
7. Excellent understanding of cultural impact on understanding of mental health issues and help seeking
patterns.
8. Current NSW Drivers Licence
Desirable:
1.

Knowledge of stakeholders in refugee/migrant sector

2.

Knowledge of mental health services sector in NSW.

*This position is considered child-related employment and will require a Working with Children Background
Check and a National Criminal Record Check.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ROLE
This position will be working within STARTTS Community Development Team to implement the African Mental
Health Learning Circle (AMHLC). Mental Health Learning circle for African Leaders is part of a strategy to
bring together mental health service providers and African community leaders based in Western Sydney into
group discussions. The aim is to discuss and raise awareness about mental health issues and suicide that
affect African communities and how these issues can be addressed. This is a 12 month position with a
possibility of extension dependant on further funding.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
1. To facilitate development of the African Mental Health Learning Circle
2. To enhance mental health service providers knowledge about African communities settling in Western
Sydney
3. To enhance African communities knowledge about mental health issues and services available to their
communities.
4. To increase trust within communities and between communities and service providers
5. To increase African communities access to mental health services in Western Sydney
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PRIMARY DUTIES:
1. African Mental Health Learning Circle Facilitation
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9

Engage and consult with African community leaders, elders and other people of influence
Map relevant mental health services and engage them in the project
Organise speakers (both African leaders and mental health services)
Promote the Learning Circle
Convene Learning Circle
Follow up on any recommendations arising from Learning Circle meetings particularly mental health
promotion strategies.
Liaise with relevant stakeholders to implement identified mental health promotion strategies
Document the work of the Learning Circle
Ensure Learning Circle is evaluated.

2. Community Development, community education and social support

2.1
2.2
2.3

2.4

In collaboration with other STARTTS staff, organise 3 Accidental Counsellor Training sessions for
African community and peer leaders per annum. Co-deliver the sessions if required.
In collaboration with other STARTTS staff, organise one leadership residential program for African
community leaders.
Work with African leaders and STARTTS Training Team to develop training materials and deliver
training for mainstream mental health services in Western Sydney informing them of African
community issues.
Assist STARTTS staff to develop psychoeducational materials for African communities.

3. Training and supervision

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

Undertake on-the-job training where relevant

Participate in community development mentoring.
Participate in regular STARTTS staff development days
Participate in group co-facilitation where appropriate

4. Reporting
4.1
4.2

Provide bi-monthly progress reports to the Team Leader

Prepare other reports as required by the funding body.

5. Personnel
5.1
5.2
6
6.1
6.2

Participate in regular performance management processes including monthly performance

management meeting and yearly performance appraisals
Actively participate in Quality assurance activities undertaken by STARTTS
Administration
Participate in team meetings, staff meetings, clinical meetings, community development meetings
and other meetings relevant to duties as required.
Prepare and implement annual work plans

7. Other
7.1

Perform other duties as required

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Equal Employment Opportunity and Staff Relationships:

STARTTS is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and encompasses its philosophy
and practice.
STARTTS rejects racism and sexism in all its forms and is committed to the elimination of racial and
gender discrimination including direct and indirect racism and sexism, racial vilification, and
harassment.
STARTTS Workplace Policies
You must observe and comply with the provisions set out in any and all written policy, practice or procedure
of STARTTS. A breach of STARTTS policies, practices and procedures may result in disciplinary action up
to and including termination of your employment.
Work Health & Safety responsibilities:
Comply with STARTTS WHS policies and procedures.
Work with due care and consideration to safeguard your own health and safety and the health and
safety of others, and to report to your Supervisor any potential hazards, mishaps, incidents or injuries
that may occur or become aware of during the course of work.
Risk management responsibilities: All staff have a responsibility to identify any risks (ie the chance of
something happening that will have an impact on the objectives of the organisation) in the course of their work
and to inform their supervisor, as per the STARTTS Risk Management Policy and Program.
Smoke-free Workplace
STARTTS is completely smoke-free. This means that smoking is not allowed in any STARTTS buildings, vehicles
or grounds, there are no designated smoking areas. As an employee you are required to comply with the Nonsmoking Policy.

I have read the African Mental Health Learning Circle Project Officer Position Description, understand its
contents and agree to work in accordance with the requirements of the position. I understand and accept that
I must also comply with STARTTS policies and procedures and can be required to work in any location under
the jurisdiction of STARTTS.
I also agree to strictly observe STARTTS policy on confidentiality of client information or such other sensitive
or confidential information that I may come across in the course of my employment.
Employee Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Please print

Employee Signature:_________________________________________Date:_____________________
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Jorge Aroche
Signature:__________________________________________________Date:______________________
Next position description review due:

August, 2018

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