About Women’s Legal Service Victoria
Women’s Legal Service Victoria (Women’s Legal) is a specialised and state-wide organisation that has been providing legal services and support to women since 1982. Informed by our feminist practice, we improve the legal system for victim-survivors of family and sexual violence through our integrated legal service, capacity building, advocacy and law reform. Our vision is for women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination in a gender equitable society.
Women’s Legal is an employer of choice, providing an inclusive, flexible, and supportive environment for our staff to thrive. We welcome women across all career stages, and we recognise the many roles played by women in their families and communities. We are committed to supporting women’s participation in employment through building skills and knowledge for those looking for a change, and valuing the diverse expertise brought into our organisation.
About our Integrated Programs Team
Our social workers and financial counsellors are integral to supporting the safety of our clients, especially as we are often the first service contacted by a victim-survivor of family violence. This includes women who need help to leave violent relationships. Our Integrated Programs Team has shown that simultaneously and holistically addressing non-legal need, results in improved and more sustainable legal outcomes for women.
Position Overview
The Women’s Legal financial counsellor delivers specialist family violence financial counselling services to women experiencing family violence and who are experiencing housing instability. Working collaboratively with lawyers and social workers as part of an integrated model of service, the funding for this position is new and has a focus on Victorians experiencing financial hardships where rental or mortgage stress is a contributing factor.
This role will contribute to the organisation’s strategic advocacy priorities and outcomes and intersectional feminist framework that recognises the multiple barriers women face accessing safe and secure housing.
This role will receive the mentoring and support of both the Senior Financial Counsellor and Integrated Programs Manager as the newly funded program is rolled out.
Why Women’s Legal?
In return for your dedication, we offer:
- Competitive remuneration
- 5 weeks annual leave, plus bonus leave between Christmas and New Year!
- Paid parental leave and reproductive health leave
- Cultural leave
- A strong commitment to your professional development, personal development, and wellbeing
- A hybrid working model and a flexible working environment that supports work/non-work balance
- NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15,900 in tax-free pay every year) plus meal and entertainment benefits (up to $2,650 tax-free pay per year)
- Fresh fruit available in the office
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program
To apply
Submit a resume and covering letter to tell us how you are the right candidate for this role. Please ensure the cover letter addresses how you personally align to Women’s Legal values as described in the attached position description.
Research shows that women are less likely to apply for roles if they don’t meet 100% of the selection criteria. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the criteria, but this role sounds like a good fit for you.
All successful candidates will be required to produce a national criminal history check prior to the commencement of their employment.
Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude appointment by Women’s Legal, but if needed, we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate, Women’s Legal will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.
Please note, all staff employed by Women’s Legal Service Victoria are required to comply with Section 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
Enquiries
Enquiries can be emailed to Suzie Nesbitt, Integrated Programs Manager at suzie.nesbitt@womenslegal.org.au or on 0427 173 485.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge, skills, and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences, including people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, with disability, with lived experience of family and sexual violence, and from migrant, refugee, culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds.
If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Women’s Legal relies on an exception under the Equal Opportunity Act to employ women only.
