FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR/MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

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1 Position Title Duration Supervisor Position Status Salary FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR/MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 6 month contract (at which time funding will be reviewed) Operations Manager Full-time (fixed term) $70,000 - $75,000 pa Award Social, Community, Home Care & Disabilities Award (2010) Date November 2013 ABOUT NGAANYATJARRA COUNCIL (Aboriginal Corporation) Ngaanyatjarra Council was incorporated in 1981 with the aim of supporting the development of all Ngaanyatjarra people. At the core of this work was assisting the Ngaanyatjarra Communities to be strong and sustainable with reliable essential services, air transport, bookkeeping, agency and road transport, fuel distribution, health services, community services and improved housing. Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation) represents the interests of around 2000 Ngaanyatjarra, Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara people living in Warburton, Warakurna, Wanarn, Wingellina (Irrunytju), Blackstone (Papulankutja), Jameson (Mantamaru), Tjirrkarli, Patjarr, Tjukurla and Kiwirrkurra. Today, Ngaanyatjarra Council is one of the largest Indigenous Corporation in Australia and has grown to be the major representative body for Ngaanyatjarra people. Ngaanyatjarra Council is also the parent and ultimate holding company of the Ngaanyatjarra Corporate Group which includes the following entities: - Ngaanyatjarra Services (Aboriginal Corporation) - Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) - Indervon Pty Ltd (Caltex Alice Springs) - NATS (Ngaanyatjarra Agency and Transport Service) PROGRAM The Financial Counselling/Money Management Program is intended to improve the financial knowledge, skills, capabilities and financial resilience of vulnerable individuals and families to alleviate the immediate impact of financial stress and to progress initiatives in relation to problem gambling.

2 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Conduct client assessments, evaluating individuals as well as family groups; Provide information, advocacy, support and appropriate referral to clients seeking assistance in relation to their rights and responsibilities in financial counselling and associated areas; Assist clients to pursue their rights with government departments and appeals tribunals with an emphasis on self help whenever appropriate; Accurate record management, statistical analysis and compliance to funding agreement at all times; To act as a resource and ascertain those areas in which the community identifies its needs for financial management educational programs to be introduced; To assist Ngaanyatjarra Council Community staff in the planning and preparation of providing information sessions and workshops on a range of financial topics to community and family groups; To network and liaise with community groups, government departments and other stakeholders to establish sound working relationships; Continually review performance and develop and implement new strategies if necessary; Publicise and promote the Ngaanyatjarra Financial Program across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Act with integrity at all times and ensure that areas of responsibility operate in an open, transparent and accountable manner; Be proactive in the area of relationship management with all Ngaanyatjarra staff, Ngaanyatjarra Lands based entities and support groups, and develop an effective working relationship with these organisations through appropriate and honest support and/or feedback; Respond to enquiries in a prompt manner and action where relevant and/or necessary; Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and multiple barriers faced by the long term unemployed and disadvantaged; Ensure communications are appropriate to the Ngaanyatjarra Communities, and Ngaanyatjarra Council and its entities within which the role operates; Adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines in accordance with the Financial Management Program Funding Agreement ; adhere to internal policies and procedures aligned to individual entities within Ngaanyatjarra Council; Provide information, advocacy, support and appropriate referral to clients seeking assistance in relation to their rights and responsibilities in financial counselling or related areas; Assist CDA s in the planning and preparation of information sessions and workshops on a range of financial and legal topics to community groups; PERSONAL QUALITIES, CROSS CULTURAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Patience, persistence, determination, flexibility and adaptability

3 Excellent decision making skills Self-motivated and an ability to set and achieve ambitious goals Ability to identify and act upon innovative and/or novel training opportunities Excellent capacity to communicate with Indigenous people from remote communities Ability to live and work in a remote location Be willing to live and work in dry communities, as per the Aboriginal By-Laws. SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Criteria Demonstrate your capacity to advocate in the interest of clients. Proven experience in a similar field, including and relevant formal training undertaken. A high level of computer literacy, including competency with excel spreadsheets. Excellent oral and written communication skills, report writing will be an integral part of this role. An understanding of issues facing low income, disadvantaged people in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Ability to work autonomously when required, spending extended lengths of time in remote communities. A proven commitment to social justice and self-determination within a community development framework. Desirable Criteria Current Australian Driver s Licence Significant experience working with people in/from remote Indigenous communities The willingness to enter into training to add value to current skills Previous experience driving long distances on remote roads. Criminal History Check Applicants must supply evidence of a recent Australian Federal Police criminal history check and Working with Vulnerable People check and/or be prepared to undergo one if short-listed for interview. Staff responsibilities may be varied by Ngaanyatjarra Council in order to allow the Organisation to respond to operational needs or requirements. Money Management is the delivery of financial literacy education, information and intensive coaching and maintains a strong focus on learning by doing.

4 Money Management activities include: i) Assistance and Support Assist with banking issues accounts, credit/debit cards, identification requirements, credit checks and access to frozen accounts ; Assist with basic debt issues rent, utilities, phones, fines; Assist with Centrelink underpayments or incorrect entitlements; Assist clients with accessing Centrepay and weekly payments (where needed and eligible); Liaise with the Department of Human Services, financial services, the tax office and other institutions when clients are not sure what is required of them; Assist with taxation and superannuation issues; Provide a semi-supported space where clients can use the phone and computer for internet and phone banking, and online shopping, (where appropriate); Assist clients to manage their financial management related paperwork; and Assist clients to access No Interest Loans Schemes (NILS). ii) One on One Education and Information Help clients to identify their aspirations and goals and then develop practical money plans to help them achieve these goals; Develop and monitor budget and/or savings plans and goals; Provide mentoring and coaching to motivate, encourage and support clients to stay on track to meet their money goals; Provide consumer information around financial services products; Explain to clients the meaning and requirements of documentation they receive from financial and government institutions; Provide information on income management issues; and Provide information on family payments and extended family care requirements. iii) Community Education and Engagement Conduct financial management workshops with different groups in the community e.g. mother s groups, and linking in to existing life skills programs where possible; and Conduct promotional activities in the community to raise the awareness and benefits of financial management services. iv) Referrals Provide referrals to other financial management support services such as emergency relief, financial counselling, microfinance products, and other support services, including parental, drug, alcohol, gambling, employment, the Department of Human Services, consumer affairs, as appropriate. b) Commonwealth Financial Counselling Financial counselling helps people in financial difficulty to address their financial problems and make informed choices on the best course of action to resolve their financial difficulties and/or to gain an improved ability to manage their financial affairs in the future.

5 Financial Counselling activities include: i. Advocacy, Assistance and Advice on Complex Financial Issues Negotiations with creditors to reach acceptable agreements; Assist with payment options for paying outstanding bills; Explain the debt recovery process and assist in taking an appropriate course of action; Assist in the development of a budgeting plan to suit individual circumstances and help individuals gain financial management skills that will enable them to take control of their finances; Develop and monitor debt repayment plans; Provide information on bankruptcy and assist people to explore alternatives; Provide information on benefits and entitlements; Give information about rules and laws relating to payments; Assist with consumer issues; and Give talks to groups and organisations. ii. Referrals Provide referrals to other financial management support services such as money management, emergency relief, microfinance products, and other support services, including parental, drug, alcohol, gambling, employment, Centrelink, consumer affairs, as appropriate. Referrals: through an established network of local service providers, clear referral pathways will be developed to relevant local service providers to address related client needs; and c) Advocacy Other than consumer advocacy provided to individuals and families through the Money Management and Financial Counselling service elements, the FWS will also ensure that the financial services needs of the communities are brought to the attention of financial institutions and government agencies to improve access to basic banking facilities as well as fair and affordable financial services and products 1) In delivering these services you must: a) establish linkages with other regional services, for example Department of Human Services, RJCP, Government Business Managers, local financial services, other community service organisations and local Indigenous leaders with a view to improving client outcomes; b) maintain and promote networks with other local economic and social development initiatives; c) work effectively and co-operatively with the Financial Management Resource Support Unit to build the capability of money management workers to strengthen money management services to clients; and d) ensure clients and potential clients are aware of, and encouraged to use, the money management services available.

6 2) You must work collaboratively with the Financial Management Resource Support Unit to develop the capability of money management workers. You must arrange for your workers to receive training in: e) the delivery of the MoneyBusiness Community Education Workshops including presentation skills (mandatory) a) Family Assistance Payments education (mandatory) b) the Money Management Workers Guide (mandatory); c) the Certificate I Community Services (mandatory for workers assessed as requiring this qualification); d) the Certificate III Community Services (with 3 financial literacy units) (mandatory); e) shopping tools and resources (optional); f) online training (mandatory); and g) train the trainer (optional). 3) You must cooperate with external evaluators and researchers commissioned by the Commonwealth to undertake research and evaluation of the FMP. 4) Services must be delivered by appropriately qualified personnel as specified in Item J.