Advocate

Location: Melbourne | Southern Metropolitan

Job type: Full time / up to 12 months

Organisation: Victoria Legal Aid

**Salary**: $76,426 - $98,901

Occupation: Community Services

Reference: VG/VLA/CJ/1826139

Be part of a committed and enthusiastic team dedicated to assisting people receiving compulsory treatment to understand and exercise their rights.
- **Salary range: $76,426 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging**:

- **Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model**

**About the role**
In this role, you will provide intake and advocacy services to people at risk of or on compulsory treatment orders, assist people to understand and exercise their rights and enable them to participate in decisions about their treatment, care, and recovery.

You will respond to enquiries from users of the program, mental health organisations and services including, but not limited to; hospitals, peer support workers, social workers, lawyers, caseworkers and other advocates.
- This role is based at our Frankston office on Bunurong Country._

**About you**
- Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse range of consumers and internal and external stakeholders.
- A deep understanding of the challenges impacting Victorians when accessing mental health support services, and the ability to ‘stand up' on behalf of consumers.
- A flexible, patient and supportive approach while remaining transparent.

Experience in one or more areas including: community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, community sector advocacy, social work, mental health service provision or other similar fields. If you bring mental health consumer experience, we would love to hear from you.

**About IMHA**
Our Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) team is a non-legal advocacy program that is staffed and led by professionals with mental health consumer experience and/or backgrounds in community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, community sector advocacy, social work, mental health service provision or other similar fields.

**About Victoria Legal Aid**
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their 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 represent the people we serve.

**Employee benefits**
- Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid work from home & office model - minimum 2 days in the office or designated mental health service
- 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)
- 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**:

- Your ability to communicate and liaise with diverse consumers, stakeholders and organisations.
- Your previous experience fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment.

**Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 3 November 2024.**

**Other relevant information**

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