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 Service Design Officer is responsible for the management and delivery of projects related to improving survivors’ access to and outcomes from specialist sexual assault services, with a current focus on adult survivors of child sexual abuse, informed by the ‘Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools’ This work will contribute to the implementation of Recommendations 7 and 8 of the Beaumaris Inquiry, which call for the development of coordination, navigation and advocacy functions and improvements to service responses for adult victim-survivors, including through clearer communications. The position will both project manage service design work and bring content expertise needed to inform service development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and delivery of a 12–18-month program of work with SASVic members and other key partners, including victim-survivors, to strengthen service responses to adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
- Manage end-to-end project governance, timelines, risks and reporting to ensure delivery of agreed outcomes with limited direction within agreed parameters. Prepare reports to funders to meet contract requirements.
- Coordinate and work closely with the SASVic member sites, training and communication teams to trial and evaluate new functions and/or models, informed by the expertise of practitioners and survivors, that addresses barriers to adult survivors of child sexual abuse accessing support from specialist sexual assault services and strengthens cross-sector referral pathways and integrated support models.
- Coordinate and facilitate consultation, training and other events for survivors, SASVic members and practitioners, including delivery of a community of practice
- Lead and contribute to the development of high-quality evidence-based resources, papers, submissions and other communications related to service design, identifying and liaising with internal and external experts as required.
- Provide service design advice and support across the organisation for a range of SASVic activities, including events, campaigns, community engagement, training and other advocacy activities.
- Manage and supervise one or two staff at times, supported by the Manager and SASVic policies and procedures.
- Represent 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 activities required to support the growth and positive culture of SASVic.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
- Relevant formal qualifications and/or significant professional experience.
- Experience and confidence in end-to-end project management working with limited oversight. Ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously.
- Demonstrated subject matter expertise relevant to service design and innovation including experience trialling and evaluating new functions and/or models, informed by the expertise of practitioners and survivors/service users.
- 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 skills, ability to synthesis complex information, an understanding of systems and willingness to explore and debate issues from multiple perspectives.
- 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.
- Familiarity with specialist sexual assault services will be an advantage, as well as the barriers experienced by adult survivors of child sexual abuse trying to access support.
- Understanding of intersections between child sexual abuse and alcohol and other drug use, and relevant services and sectors, will be an advantage.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work respectfully with diverse people and communities.
- 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.
Decision-making & Autonomy
The role operates under general direction and is responsible for day-to-day decisions within established guidelines. May include management and supervision of one or two staff at times. Complex, high-risk, or strategic matters are escalated to the Manager.
Organisational Relationships
Internal: Manager, Team, other teams, CEO and Board.
External: SASVic members, government and cross-sector partners. Adult survivors of child sexual abuse interested in contributing to service design initiatives and relevant practitioner groups.
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.
- Legal right to work in Australia.
