Housing and Homelessness Practice Lead

Lead practice excellence and drive meaningful change in the housing and homelessness sector.

As Meli's Housing and Homelessness Practice Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping evidence-informed service delivery, strengthening workforce capability, and influencing positive outcomes for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity across the Barwon and South West regions. Working collaboratively with leaders, practitioners and sector partners, you'll help embed best practice, foster innovation, and contribute to a fair, safe and inclusive community where everyone can thrive.

As a Housing and Homelessness Practice Lead, you will:

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of evidence-informed practice frameworks, models and approaches across Housing and Homelessness Services.
• Provide expert practice leadership, coaching and guidance to leaders and practitioners on complex service delivery, safeguarding, compliance and risk management matters.
• Drive workforce capability, quality improvement and practice governance initiatives that strengthen service consistency, accountability and positive client outcomes.
• Analyse service data, emerging trends and client outcomes to identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement and service development across the region.

• Part-time, ongoing position
• 0.8 FTE working 30.4 hours per week
• $125,021 (pro-rata) p/a + Super & Salary Packaging

We value individuals who bring dedication, empathy, and expertise to their roles. To succeed in this position, you will have:

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services, Human Services or a related discipline, together with advanced knowledge of contemporary housing and homelessness practice, relevant legislation, practice standards, regulatory requirements and sector reforms.
• Demonstrated ability to provide expert practice leadership and guidance on complex practice, safeguarding, risk and service delivery matters, while driving practice governance, compliance and quality standards.
• Proven experience embedding evidence-informed and outcomes-focused practice approaches, using data, client outcomes, practice reviews and emerging trends to inform service improvement, innovation and organisational learning.
• Demonstrated success in building workforce capability through coaching, mentoring, training, reflective practice and professional development initiatives that strengthen practice excellence and consistency.
• Highly developed communication, facilitation and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence practice, collaborate effectively and build productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, drive continuous improvement and align practice initiatives with organisational priorities, client outcomes and evolving sector expectations, while fostering culturally safe, inclusive and child-safe services.

At Meli, we offer more than just a job—we provide a platform to thrive, grow, and make an impact. Our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) includes:

• Supportive Culture: Join a values-driven organization that fosters collaboration and innovation.
• Career Growth: Access ongoing Learning & Development opportunities and clear pathways for progression.
• Financial Benefits: Enjoy salary packaging up to $15,900 per year, enhancing your financial well-being.
• Work-Life Balance: Benefit from flexible ways of working.
• Employee Wellbeing: Participate in employee-led Inclusion Working Groups, access confidential counselling via our Employee Assistance Program, and enjoy paid parental leave above the government scheme.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Be part of a team that celebrates diversity and actively supports individuals from all walks of life.

We’re excited to hear from you! Please submit your application, including a résumé and addressing the key selection criteria in the application form. Applications close 11:59pm, Friday 21th August 2026

For more information about the position please contact Jo Baillon, Manager Housing Services on 03 5226 8***.

Meli is committed to providing a child-safe environment. We have zero tolerance of any abuse or harm of children. Our recruitment practices reflect our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our care. All employment with Meli is subject to reference checks, a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check, VIT Check (where applicable) and a current Working with Children Check prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.

Meli is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ community members, people living with disabilities, and those looking to return to the workforce.

Our usual process includes a written application, a phone call and a panel interview. If you require adjustments to the recruitment process, please email us at ***********@meli.org.au to discuss how we can best support you.

If you’re ready to inspire change and make a lasting impact, click Apply Now and start your journey with Meli.