Senior Workforce and Sector Development Officer

Position Summary

Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic) is the peak body for Victoria’s 19 specialist sexual assault and harmful sexual behaviour services. The Senior Workforce and Sector Development Advisor provide specialist advice and support to strengthen workforce capability, professional development pathways and sector capacity within the specialist sexual assault sector.

The role is responsible for coordinating and delivering a range of workforce and sector development initiatives, requiring strong project management, organisational, administrative and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to follow through on agreed actions and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes.

The role works collaboratively with SASVic members, government, subject matter experts and other stakeholders to develop practical resources, learning opportunities and initiatives that respond to sector needs. While experience in the specialist sexual assault or harmful sexual behaviour sector is valued, the role is also suited to candidates with relevant experience from other community, social services, workforce development or related sectors who demonstrate the ability to quickly develop sector knowledge and apply it to their work.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation and promotion of the forthcoming sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour capability framework across the specialist sexual assault sector; developing practical tools, workforce resources and guidance materials that support organisations to embed capability-based approaches to recruitment, supervision, professional development and career progression.
• Working with the Learning Design and Training Team Leader to plan, coordinate and deliver professional development, training and practice resources that strengthen sector capability. Initially focusing on improving services for adult victim survivors of child sexual abuse, you will collaborate with sector and subject matter experts to develop evidence-informed eLearning and flexible learning resources aligned with best practice.
• Support sector development initiatives focused on harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), including coordinating and leading the HSB Committee, developing practice guidance and professional development resources, and strengthening sector capability and best practice.
• Facilitate collaboration between tertiary institutions, government and sector stakeholders to progress the development of a higher education pathway that aligns with the capability framework and sector requirements.
• Manage end-to-end project governance, timelines, risks and reporting to ensure delivery of agreed outcomes with limited direction within agreed parameters. Coordinate multiple activities and competing priorities, maintaining clear plans, timelines and follow-up to ensure deliverables are completed within agreed timeframes. Prepare reports to funders to meet contract requirements.
• Provide workforce and sector development advice and support across the organisation for a range of SASVic activities, including events, campaigns, community engagement and advocacy.
• Identify emerging workforce development priorities and opportunities to strengthen workforce capability and career pathways, supporting the Workforce Development Committee and other SASVic member forums.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with SASVic members, government agencies, workforce development partners and other key stakeholders, representing SASVic and members on a range of external forums and groups and provide support, as required, for other work within the team and organisation.
• As a Senior Officer, have visible leadership role in the organisation. Participate in organisational development and support a positive and collaborative organisational culture.
• Manage and supervise one or two staff at times, supported by the Manager and SASVic policies and procedures

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Relevant formal qualifications and/or significant professional experience.
• Demonstrate experience and confidence in coordinating and delivering projects from planning through to completion, working with limited oversight. Ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously.
• Demonstrated relevant experience to workforce and sector development, including experience developing workforce resources, practice guidance, learning materials or capability-building initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and capacity building skills, with experience coordinating and facilitating consultation, training and communities of practice and the ability to supervise one or two staff at times.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to synthesis complex information, an understanding of systems and willingness to explore and debate issues from multiple perspectives.
• Strong organisational, administrative and follow-through skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, meet deadlines and progress agreed actions.
• Strong communications and IT skills including experience developing high-quality evidence-based online resources, detailed issues papers, and other communication tools liaising with internal and external experts as required.
• An understanding of and commitment to the principles of feminism, human rights, social justice, and inclusion and a deep commitment to ending sexual assault and the rights and recovery of victim survivors.
• Ability to communicate and apply an intersectional feminist understanding of the dynamics, causes and impacts of sexual violence, at an individual, social and political level.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a membership organisation and/or peak body will be well received.
• Knowledge of workforce capability frameworks, professional standards, qualification pathways or competency-based workforce development approaches.
• Experience working within the sexual violence, family violence, prevention of violence against women, community services or related sectors.
• Experience working with tertiary education providers, accreditation bodies or professional development organisations.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A relevant tertiary qualification, for example, public policy, social sciences, humanities, public health, social work.

Skills & Capabilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse people and communities.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver agreed outcomes within established timeframes.
• Ability to represent and communicate the vision and decisions of the SASVic CEO and Board internally and with stakeholders.
• Sound judgement in complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Organisational Relationships

Internal: Manager, Team, other teams, CEO and Board.

External: SASVic members, government and cross-sector partners, including education, training and higher education providers.

Decision-Making & Autonomy

The role operates under general direction and is responsible for day-to-day decisions within established guidelines. The position is expected to manage assigned projects and activities with limited oversight, exercising initiative and sound judgement to progress work and achieve agreed outcomes. Complex, high-risk, or strategic matters are escalated to the Manager.

Why Work With Us

Your work will help specialist sexual assault practitioners and services provide the best possible response to victim survivors of sexual assault and children and young people who use harmful sexual behaviours. You will work closely with expert practice leaders from across the state – our members ensure that our work is grounded in the reality of victim survivors and the services who respond to them.

The role offers a hybrid opportunity, all staff regardless of hours are required to work 2 days minimum (Tuesday and Wednesday) from the office, Melbourne CBD.

We are located in a central office location but also offer flexibility to work partly from home (if you choose to).

Compliance & Safety

• Commitment to Work Health and Safety requirements
• Understanding of vicarious trauma and self-care practices
• Willingness to participate in supervision and wellbeing supports

Other Requirements

• Current Working with Children Check and Police Check (or willingness to obtain).
• Occasional out-of-hours work or travel may be required to support events.
• Right to work in Australia.