POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION: SALARY SCALE:

Regional Engagement Coordinator, Eastern NSW ACBC Grade 4

REPORTS TO:

Manager, Regional Engagement

FULL TIME/PART TIME:

Part Time Contract for up to 12 Months

HOURS PER WEEK:

26.5

LOCATION:

Sydney

AUTHORISED BY:

Chief Executive Officer

REVISED:

August 2014

Organisational Environment Caritas Australia is the Catholic agency for international humanitarian relief and development in Australia. Through effective relationships with the Church, partners and communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and Australia, Caritas Australia helps to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Our programs promote the good of every person and of the whole person, regardless of people’s religious, political or cultural beliefs. We envisage a world in which children, women and men most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice are agents of their own change and architects of their own development. Position Impact The Regional Engagement Coordinator is part of the Regional Engagement (RE) team, which is one of four groups within Community Engagement. Other groups include Communications, Education and Fundraising & Supporter Care. The position reports to the Manager, Regional Engagement and has an Administration Assistant. The position also provides support and accompaniment to the Region’s Diocesan Directors across Broken Bay, Parramatta, Wollongong, Maitland/Newcastle, and the Maronites. Diocesan Directors (DDs) are appointed and approved by the local Bishop and are the official representatives of Caritas Australia in each of Australia’s Catholic regional and Eastern Rite dioceses. The DDs, most of whom are volunteers, serve as the critical relationship link between Caritas Australia and the local Diocesan community of parishes, schools and other Catholic networks. The DDs are described as the ‘lifeblood’ and ‘animators’ of Caritas’ grassroots engagement with Catholics across Australia. This position, in collaboration with the region’s Diocesan Directors, is responsible for animating and inviting the Region’s Catholic community to give expression to the local Church’s solidarity with the poor through participation in awareness-raising, fundraising, events, advocacy and other engagement programs.

Updated: 8/10/2015

The Regional Engagement Coordinator is also critical to the planning, promotion and implementation of fundraising campaigns across the Region, in particular, Project Compassion (Caritas’ annual Lenten fundraising campaign) and emergency appeals. More than $3M is raised annually through the Region’s fundraising programs across Catholic parishes, schools, networks and other faith-based community groups and organisations. The position plays a crucial role in ensuring that Caritas’ fundraising goals are achieved at a Diocesan level. Primary Objectives 

Drive Eastern NSW strategy development and oversee implementation and evaluation of engagement programs across Broken Bay, Parramatta, Wollongong, Maitland/Newcastle, and the Maronites Dioceses to build awareness of Caritas Australia and engagement of the Catholic community with its work through prayer, financial giving, campaign action or volunteering.

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Strengthen relationships and deepen understanding of Caritas Australia’s mission within region’s Catholic Church network including Bishops, clergy, religious, parishes, schools, universities, supporters, youth, community groups and other Agencies.

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Plan, coordinate and evaluate implementation of national fundraising, advocacy, communications, events and promotional programs within Eastern NSW to achieve Caritas engagement and financial goals.

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Support development of local Diocesan youth and volunteer program to enable Caritas Australia to reach and engage more Australian Catholics.

Major Accountabilities/Key Tasks Regional Engagement Strategy & Program Delivery 

Lead Eastern NSW strategy development and oversee implementation of engagement programs across Broken Bay, Parramatta, Wollongong, Maitland/Newcastle, and the Maronites.

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Adapt national fundraising, advocacy, communications, events and promotional programs and oversee implementation and evaluation within region to achieve Caritas engagement and financial goals.

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Build effective cross Community Engagement team relationships and partnering with the local Global Education Advisor to ensure optimal outcomes of local engagement programs.

Church & Stakeholder Relations 

Serve as the Diocesan Director and official representative of Caritas Australia within the Archdiocese of Sydney.

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Support the implementation of the national formation program in Eastern NSW. regional Bishops, clergy and seminarians and other Church leaders that builds a deeper understanding of and engagement with Caritas Australia’s work.

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In partnership with Diocesan Directors, develop a relationship-building program between Church leadership and Caritas Management that encourages regular dialogue about Caritas’ work and impact of engagement programs across Eastern NSW.

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Increase profile of Caritas Australia and its work by strengthening relationships

Updated: 8/10/2015

with local Diocesan networks including parishes, schools, universities, supporters, young adults, community groups and other Catholic Agencies. 

Promote and support rollout of nationally developed resources for Church-based groups (e.g. parish, youth, families and children) and measure effectiveness.

Regional Diocesan Director Network 

Serve as the primary liaison for the region’s Diocesan Directors.

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Accompany region’s Diocesan Directors in their promotion of Caritas within local dioceses through the support of a highly responsive and communicative Eastern NSW team.

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Promote and draw on the skills, experience and knowledge of Diocesan Directors to deliver well-coordinated and resourced engagement programs across region’s dioceses.

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Enhance and strengthen communications and formation opportunities for region’s Diocesan Directors including holding twice-yearly regional meetings and deliver timely written and verbal updates.

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Contribute strategic input and when requested provide support to the annual Diocesan Directors Conference, the international and domestic Project Compassion Lenten Speakers program and in-country exposure programs for clergy and Diocesan Directors.

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Work with Diocesan Directors to establish support structures within local Diocese (e.g. Committees and/other volunteers).

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Support region’s Dioceses and Bishops with succession planning for Diocesan Director as well as recruitment, induction and ongoing mentoring and support.

Income Generation, Budget Management & Reporting 

Responsible for implementation and evaluation of region’s fundraising programs (Project Compassion and Emergency Appeals) and achievement of fundraising goals (agreed diocese/region’s fundraising targets).

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In collaboration with Diocesan Directors, plan, coordinate and implement other fundraising programs including, but not limited to, Caritas Ks, Inspired Adventures, Caritas Café across local Dioceses to achieve fundraising goals.

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In partnership with Fundraising & Supporter Care and Manager, Regional Engagement forecast region’s fundraising income targets.

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Prepare regional budget that supports Eastern NSW operational plans and provide monthly impact and effectiveness reports.

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Contribute to the Regional Engagement monitoring and evaluation framework to measure and monitor the impact of Eastern NSW programs.

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Ensure timely logging and processing of region’s donations.

Regional Office Management 

Manage Region’s office and provide leadership and management to direct reports and office volunteers.

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Offer training and development support that leads to the personal and professional growth of direct reports, Diocesan Directors and office volunteers and to enhance their contribution to Caritas’ mission and achievement of Agency goals.

Updated: 8/10/2015

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Conduct twice-yearly performance appraisals and regularly review position descriptions of direct report(s).

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Meet regularly with region’s Global Education Advisor to plan, collaborate and share information to ensure coordinated regional engagement program.

Volunteer and Youth Programs 

Support development a national volunteer program to expand the reach of Caritas’s grassroots engagement across Australia and manage regional implementation (including resourcing of school visits).

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Support development of a youth leadership and formation program to encourage young adults to live out their faith through action and manage regional implementation.

Key Working Communications Internal  Manager, Regional Engagement  Administration Assistant  Regional Engagement Coordinators  Region’s Diocesan Directors  Region’s Global Education Advisor  Supporter Care Coordinator  Campaigns Coordinator  Communications, Fundraising & Supporter Care and Education team members  Community Engagement Teams

External  Region’s Bishops and senior Church leaders  Region’s Clergy, Religious, Seminarians and Parish personnel  Region’s Catholic schools and universities  Region’s Diocesan agencies and Catholic organisations  Region’s Catholic community groups

Decision Making/Reasoning 

Standard Regional Engagement issues can be resolved using own judgment and discretion in accordance with parameters set by Caritas Australia.

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Sensitive issues will be resolved in consultation with the Manager, Regional Engagement and where necessary Head of Community Engagement.

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The Regional Engagement Coordinator will manage the region’s budget, and will refer all other financially related decisions to the Manager, Regional Engagement.

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All other decision making is to be made in consultation with the Manager of Regional Engagement and in accordance with parameters set out in:o o o o o

Caritas Australia’s Strategic Directions 2013 – 2018; Caritas Australia’s Agency Operational Plan (AOP); Community & Regional Engagement Operational Plans Principles of Catholic Social Teaching; and Relevant ACBC and Agency policies, guidelines and codes of practice

Challenges 

Working in a decentralised position and providing accompaniment and support to decentralised volunteer roles within the region.

Updated: 8/10/2015

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Managing waged-staff and walking with volunteer diocesan directors.

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Sustaining existing and developing new stakeholder networks within the Dioceses and across the Region.

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Developing an inclusive organisational culture that is local as well as national in support of Caritas Australia’s strategic goals.

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Some evening and weekend work will be required and occasional travel will include country parishes, regional Dioceses and interstate.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Selection Criteria) The successful candidate will demonstrate and provide examples from their professional experience of the following essential skills  Essential 

A strong understanding of and empathy with the Catholic Church ethos, structure, culture and social justice principles.

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Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g. Theology, community relations, marketing).

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Proven track record in effective people and volunteer management.

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Passion for and/or experience with global aid and development issues.

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Capacity to learn about and work in the areas of management, fundraising, community relations and communications.

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Team orientated with demonstrated interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.

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Exceptional organisational, project and financial management skills.

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Versatility and flexibility to meet a range of job demands and to be supportive of peers and colleagues.

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A current and valid driver’s license.

 Desirable 

Experience or familiarity working in a Church, Diocesan or not-for-profit organisation.

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Practical experience with Microsoft Office applications at an advanced level is also required.

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Familiarity with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct

Risk and Work Health and Safety The incumbent must: 

Observe safe work practices in accordance with training and instruction given and report any risk to your immediate supervisor. Risks arising in the workplace may be financial, site, task or person specific or related to safety

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Promote and implement work health and safety and risk mitigation processes within your workgroup. (Note remove this statement if the position is not a manager or supervisor)

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Comply with ACBC and Partner organisation’s name (applicable where employee located in interstate locations) corporate work health and safety

Updated: 8/10/2015

practices 

Identify, report and where appropriate, action risks/hazards in order to eliminate or mitigate against the risk recurring.

Additional Information 

The successful candidate must have the current right to work in Australia

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Permanent appointment to this position is dependent upon successful completion of Working with Children Check and an Australian Federal Police Check

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Adherence to Caritas Australia guidelines, policies and procedures is required. Awareness of EEO and equity issues in international development as well as Caritas Australia. Commitment to participate in initiatives that foster workplace relations (e.g. Performance and Development Reviews, KPIs, staff meetings).

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Date Position Description agreed __/__/__ Occupant: (Print name)

Date:

Signature

Supervisor: (Print name)

Date:

Signature

Head of Human Resources: (Print name) Signature

Revision Date: August 2014 October 2015 prior to recruitment activity

Updated: 8/10/2015

Date: