Specialist Housing Programs Officer

• Work Type/s: Full Time, ongoing contract
• Location: Based in Melbourne (Fitzroy North)
• Applications close: 8 March 2024

This position is open only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates

Aboriginal Housing Victoria’s vision is to ensure that Aboriginal Victorians secure appropriate, affordable housing as a pathway to better lives and stronger communities.

Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) is an Aboriginal^[1] community organisation responsible for managing more than 1,600 rental properties for Aboriginal people living in Victoria.

Our vision is to ensure that Aboriginal Victorians secure appropriate, affordable housing as a pathway to better lives and stronger communities.

In addition to being the largest Aboriginal Registered Housing Agency in Australia, AHV is the lead agency for Victoria’s Aboriginal housing and homelessness policy, Mana-na worn-tyeen maar-takoort. As the housing and homeless policy lead in the Victorian Aboriginal community, AHV has responsibility to work in partnership with the Government to secure the resources and reforms to implement the policy, while we support sector development to empower Victoria’s Aboriginal community to determine its chosen housing future.

AHV's housing services are targeted to those most in need of support. Through the provision of secure housing by an Aboriginal rental provider, AHV helps strengthen and maintain Aboriginal communities and cultural ties.

The Specialist Housing Programs Officer will lead the service delivery response in relation to AHV’s Renter Relocation Program by liaising with and supporting affected renters and engaging with their advocates/ support workers to develop individual relocation plans, which may include temporary or permanent relocation options. The Specialist Housing Programs Officer will maintain regular and positive communication with all affected renters, internal/external stakeholders and actively work to resolve issues that may impede progress of successful relocation outcomes, as they arise for both move out and move back processes.

Further, the Specialist Housing Programs Officer will manage a small portfolio of properties working within the framework of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) and AHV’s policies and guidelines and be responsible for property management duties, including sign up of new renters, rent payment, arrears management, terminated renters and vacated properties. The role is also critical in building relationships with support services to assist clients and support community capacity building.

We are looking for someone who will bring a client centred focus to the role and with the following key attributes and skills (KSC):

• Aboriginal applicants only
• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal people.
• Knowledge and experience of community housing and operating within the legislative/regulatory environment of the Residential Tenancies Act and Housing Act.
• Experience supporting clients with complex needs.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining internal and external stakeholder partnerships.
• Demonstrated capacity to be a support and identify continuous improvement opportunities to existing management processes.
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate and communicate across all levels of the organisation.
• Highly organised with the ability to work on multiple tasks and manage competing priorities.

This position is open only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates

This position will be based in Fitzroy North.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria in the attached position description (also available at https://ahvic.org.au/about/ahv-careers) by COB 8 March 2024. 

Applications should be sent to jobs@ahvic.org.au using the subject line: Specialist Housing Programs Officer

Please direct enquiries about the role to Rian on 0459 100 313.

[1] Throughout this document the term “Aboriginal” is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.