Rebuilding Shattered Lives - Supporting people of refugee background to recover from torture and other traumatic events
The CSCB Program is an innovative program designed to facilitate and support the development, growth, and empowerment of communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to recover from pre‐arrival trauma, resettle positively, and strengthen these communities across Victoria, helping them thrive. Complementing and strengthening this work, CSCB also leads a program that builds on the capacity of the refugee and humanitarian service sector, whilst enabling mainstream health, mental health and wellbeing and education sectors to better understand the refugee and asylum seeker experience.
The Community Capacity Building (CCB) Practitioner is responsible for delivering community capacity building initiatives with refugee‐background community members from Ukraine residing in Melbourne - under the management of the CCB Regional Team Leader, CCB Program Manager, and CSCB General Manager.
The role will also maintain strong relationships with regional Mental Health and Wellbeing staff to enable:
* Strong information sharing and collaboration across CCB and other program areas of VFST.
* Ongoing integration of knowledge and understanding of community needs, to inform organisational practice and sector support.
The Role
The CCB Practitioner will deliver a range of community capacity building initiatives, including but not limited to engagement with communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, community needs analyses, community‐based group programs, community advisory groups, community psychoeducational programs, and program evaluation.
CCB Practitioners will work in partnership with staff within the region and centrally to ensure that community capacity building initiatives are well integrated and coordinated with the Sector Capacity Building, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Practice Excellence programs of Foundation House.
Key Responsibilities Include
* Design, develop and deliver community capacity building initiatives engaging with people from the Ukrainian community in and across regions as required.
* Develop partnerships with communities to identify community needs in areas including, but not limited to: youth engagement, family strengthening, health, and mental health and wellbeing.
* Contribute knowledge and understanding of the needs and priorities of the Ukrainian community, and to development and co‐design of trauma informed and culturally safe programs that enhance mental health and wellbeing.
* Explore and facilitate discussions with community members about their experiences of trauma, and community resettlement from a strengths‐based perspective.
* Work in a co‐design process with select community members to develop culturally appropriate resources and training content that can build communities' general awareness of and strengthen their resilience and empowerment.
* Support and encourage community engagement and participation in community initiatives, allowing for individual or group support responses and/or referrals as required.
* Advocate at local and regional levels to resolve issues raised by communities.
Available is one part‐time or full‐time (0.8–1.0 EFT), 12‐month fixed‐term position, based in our Broadmeadows (Dallas) office.
What You'll Need To Successfully Apply
To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the below selection criteria:
* Relevant tertiary qualification in a community development or related health and human services discipline is desirable, but not essential.
* Experience in working with culturally diverse communities and/or communities experiencing displacement with an understanding of complex trauma and recovery models.
* Demonstrated confidence and experience in group facilitation and community engagement principles.
* Experience in applying trauma informed, person‐centred and strengths‐based approaches with participants, families, and communities with a commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement.
* Experience in community change programs to drive innovation and create a culture of continuous improvement.
* Proficiency in English and Ukrainian, along with experience working with Ukrainian community members from refugee backgrounds, will be highly regarded.
In return
You'll Be Rewarded With
* An attractive remuneration package of $100,776 (pro rata if part‐time) plus superannuation and annual leave loading.
* Salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550 and novated car leasing options.
* A role with true purpose to make a difference in people's lives.
* A welcoming, highly diverse and supportive team environment.
* Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.
About Foundation House
We Are
* A state‐wide agency offering services throughout Victoria. We currently have approximately 250 staff across our six offices in Brunswick, Dallas, Dandenong, Ringwood, Sunshine and Werribee, and we also provide services in partnership with other agencies in regional and rural Victoria.
* Values driven and committed to improving the life outcomes refugee background survivors.
* An inclusive and equal opportunity employer.
* A Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We also actively play a part in combating family violence, as reflected in our organisational policies, protocols and staff development.
How to apply
Please upload your CV and a cover letter (maximum one to two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above.
Refer to the position description on our website for detailed information about the role and more information about our hiring process.
Applications are due to close 10th of April 2026. Please note, applications may be considered as they are received, and job ads may close early.
For enquiries, please contact Justin Curreen‐Harris – HR & Recruitment Specialist via jobs@foundationhouse.org.au or by phone on 03 9389 8985.
Appointment to the position is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, Working with Children Check and Reference Check process. If you have lived for a continuous period of 12 months or more in another country within the last 10 years, an International Police Check from that country will also be required.
The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate proof of the Right to Work in Australia.
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