ASRC Volunteer Coordinator Job Description

							                                   VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
                                 [Part time job share role: 3 days]
                                     POSITION DESCRIPTION


Organisational Context
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The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is Australia's largest asylum seeker aid, health and advocacy
organisation caring and advocating for over 3000 asylum seekers from more than 80 countries. We are a
grassroots, independent, non-government funded human rights organisation and registered charity. We
work at the coalface with asylum seekers, never turning away any asylum seeker in crisis or need away.
We provide for free everything from legal, health and counseling services to ESL, casework and
employment programs. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre established the first health and employment
service for asylum seekers in Victoria. We provide food to over 1000 asylum seekers a month through our
Food-bank and are the largest provider of pro bono legal assistance to asylum seekers in Australia. In
addition, we also engage in law reform, campaigning and lobbying to raise community awareness and work
for positive social change for asylum seekers. Our work was recognized in 2003 with the Human Rights
and Equal Opportunity Commission Human Rights Award for community organizations and in 2005 with the
National Australia Bank’s “Volunteer Organisation of the Year” State and National Award.


The Volunteer Coordinator Role: job share 3 days per week (22.5 hours)

An opportunity exists for the successful applicant to job share the Volunteer Coordinator role three days per
week, with the existing Volunteer Coordinator being in the role the other two days per week. This role
involves coordinating the recruitment, induction, training, deployment and ongoing support for the ASRC’s
500+ volunteers. Strong interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills are required, as well as an
ability to work flexibly in an often demanding work environment.


Key Responsibilities


The responsibilities of the ASRC Volunteer Coordinator are:
    1. Facilitating and overseeing the co - ordination and management of volunteers across all ASRC
        programs
    2. Coordinating the recruitment, induction, training and deployment of all new volunteers



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    3. Providing ongoing support to existing volunteers and volunteer program coordinators
    4. Maintaining regular communication with all volunteers via production of a weekly volunteer bulletin
    5. Managing the ASRC’s student placement program
    6. Coordinating the Volunteer Support Program Team of volunteers
    7. Responsibility for reporting to the ASRC Coordinator and the ASRC Management Committee.


Duties


The duties of the ASRC Volunteer Coordinator are to:
    1. Coordinate, supervise and support volunteer program managers to manage the ASRC volunteers;
    2. Provide volunteer induction and coordinate further training and/or de-briefing as required;
    3. Co – ordinate the induction process of volunteers into the ASRC including: interviews, screening,
         matching and allocation to suitable programs;
    4. Develop and maintain a supportive structure for volunteers;
    5. Manage and supervise the Volunteer Support Program, a team of fantastic volunteers who provide
         practical and administrative support
    6. Participate in monthly meetings with program coordinators to discuss and resolve issues, set
         targets and generally provide support and continuity across volunteer-run operations;
    7. Liaise with coordinators to assist with assigning volunteers to staff regular and emerging services;
    8. Handle volunteer grievances in accordance with ASRC policy;
    9. Maintain the volunteer database and files



Accountability


The Volunteer Coordinator position is a job share role. With the existing Volunteer Coordinator, the
successful applicant will be accountable to the CEO of the ASRC for the fulfillment of requirements outlined
in this job description and ultimately accountable to the ASRC Committee of Management.


Hours of work
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The Volunteer Coordinator position is a part time job share position, requiring the successful applicant to be
available 3 days per week (22.5 hours per week).




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Key Selection Criteria


The key selection criteria for the position of Volunteer Coordinator are:

   Relevant Degree in Social, Welfare or Community work or another relevant qualification.
   A strong background in volunteerism and ideally volunteer coordination and management or relevant
    experience as a coordinator of programs
   Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and written
   Strong people skills – team work, facilitation, supervision
   Strong administrative skills including understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel and database
    management experience
   Ability to work flexibility and creativity in a demanding NGO environment
   Ability to work independently
   Understanding of, and sensitivity to the needs of asylum seeker children, women and men
   Capacity to relate well with a wide variety of people and to work culturally and gender appropriate ways
   A commitment to the principles of social justice
   A sense of humour


Desirable Attributes
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The following attributes are desirable but not essential:
   Experience in working with asylum seekers, refugees and those with Non English speaking
    backgrounds
   Experience in the community sector
   Knowledge of Australia’s response to asylum seekers and the refugee determination process
   Capacity to speak a relevant second community language




Salary and conditions of employment
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The pay for this position is not great but no one ever works at the ASRC for the
money!


All our 20 paid staff have the same wage. We have a brilliant and very experienced team of workers who
could all be earning twice what they do at the ASRC.


The reason so many great people work at the ASRC, are for reasons that money
could never equal including:

         Being part of an organization that genuinely makes a difference to the lives of thousands of people
          by always doing whatever it takes to ensure no one is left behind or turned away;
         Working in an organization that is independent, grassroots, accessible to people in reality and takes
          a principled stand on human rights issues that matter;
         Being able to run your program (as you would be able to) with the freedom and support to always
          do what is best for your volunteers. Being given real trust and responsibility and encouraged to
          create the best program that you possibly can;
         Being able to work in a holistic model in one of the most innovative organizations in Australia.
          Imagine being able to work each day with a team of dedicated volunteers and a diverse team that
          includes lawyers, psychologists, doctors, nurses, social workers, employment caseworkers and
          English teachers;
         Being part of a dedicated team of people who will support you and will share your passion and
          commitment to working for social justice and for a better life for asylum seekers; and
         Working in an organization that is free of bureaucracy and mediocrity and a place where people
          believe they can change the world for the better and work always towards this vision!


Pay


The pay for this position is $45, 523.52 per annum (pro – rata) in accordance with the SACS award. In
addition approximately $16,000 per annum pro rata can be salary packaged meaning overall package worth
approximately $51,000 per annum pro - rata.


In addition to this is Employer’s superannuation contribution and annual leave loading. The initial contract is
for a period of 12 months with a 3 months probationary period




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Excellent work conditions @ the ASRC include:

       Paid Rostered Day Off each month
       15 days sick leave
       2 weeks compassionate leave
       5.5 weeks annual leave
       7 days carers leave
       4 weeks paid maternity leave for staff who have been at the ASRC for a year beforehand
       2 weeks paid paternity leave for staff who have been at the ASRC for a year beforehand


The position is offered initially as a 12 month contract with a 3 month probationary period. The ASRC has
funding for it to remain a continuing position thereafter for at least another 2 years.


Application Procedure
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You will need to send your resume and a statement addressing the key criteria and desirable attributes as
described in the Position Description (with at least two referees we can contact).


CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS


Your application must be received by ASRC by the close of business on Friday 23 rd of November
2007.


Interviews will be held the week beginning the 26th of November 2007.


STARTING DATE FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT


Please note the official starting date for the successful applicant for this position is Monday 28 th of
January 2008


Applications will only be accepted by post or in person. Please do not Email or Fax applications.


All applications are to be addressed to:



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Kon Karapanagiotidis
Co – ordinator
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
12 Batman Street
West Melbourne 3003




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