First Nations Advocate

About this role

• Full time ongoing position (part-time applications considered)
• Salary range: $76,426 - $98,901 plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model including visiting mental health units and clinics

About the role
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) is seeking a dedicated First Nations Advocate to support First Nations people at risk of or on compulsory treatment orders. You will help people understand and exercise their rights, participate in treatment decisions, and ensure their voices are heard.

The role involves working closely with IMHA, VLA staff, Aboriginal Community Engagement Officers, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

This is a special measures role and only First Nations people are eligible to apply, as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. 

This role is based at our Geelong office on Wadawurrung Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to liaise effectively with First Nations consumers and mental health stakeholders.
• Sound knowledge of issues affecting First Nations consumers and the ability to champion their rights and interests.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and foster a supportive team environment.
• Strong skills in understanding individual situations and negotiating effective solutions.
• Openness to learning about relevant policy and legal frameworks, including the Mental Health Act and UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

This is a special measures role and only First Nations people are eligible to apply, as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. 

Qualifications and Experience

• This position is only open to First Nations Australians (mandatory)
• Experience in community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, or related fields (desirable)
• Qualification in health, community development, or social work (desirable)
• Mental health consumer lived experience (desirable)

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About IMHA
IMHA is the primary non legal advocacy provider in Victoria and responsible for the opt out registry. We provide non legal advocacy services to people subject to Compulsory Treatment and at risk.  We do this by attending Mental Health services both hospitals and clinics to provide services to consumers. We also provide rights groups to consumers, information sessions to consumers and services and supported decision making training to the mental health workforce.

We are part of VLA who has over 1300 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria and assist people with their legal and non legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best support the people we serve.

Employee benefits

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact

Belinda Foley, First Nations Manager, IMHA on (03) 9093 3701 or email recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 14 April 2025.

Other relevant information
It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.