_{23rd February, 2026}

• A full-time, 12-month fixed-term position within a values-based organisation
• Based in our Brunswick office, free onsite parking and close to public transport
• Salary of $110,102 + Super + NFP Salary Packaging + leave loading

Rebuilding Shattered Lives – Supporting people of refugee background to recover from torture and other traumatic events

Your Impact
Foundation House recognises the critical link between the standard and quality of our services and the delivery of safe, person-centred, effective, and connected care, which yields the strongest client outcomes. Our Practice Excellence team is core to ensuring that the services provided by Foundation House to individuals and communities are delivered to the highest standard and are in line with organisational purpose, priorities, and obligations.

The Practice Excellence team are responsible for:

• Leading the design, delivery and implementation of practice development support and programs for all Foundation House staff in collaboration and partnership with the broader leadership team.
• Lead the design and delivery of external training aimed at supporting the work of the sector and broader mental health and wellbeing services to deliver trauma-informed care to communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.
• Leading the coordination of quality improvement initiatives for the organisation's service delivery arms.
• Leading the coordination and reporting of performance and quality measures to inform quality improvement initiatives and maintain a focus on practice excellence.

The Role
The Client and Community Partnerships Project Officer works to design and implement VFST initiatives to strengthen and embed client and community participation, feedback and voice into the development, design, and delivery of VFST client and community services and frameworks. Through the implementation of the Client and Community Partnerships Framework, the role coordinates and facilitates Client and Community Advisory Groups to ensure an active voice across the organisation with the purpose of improving the quality-of-care VFST individuals, families and communities receive.  The quality of care is aligned with the VFST Care Governance Framework STEP quality goals (Safety, Timeliness, Effectiveness and People-centered).

Reporting to the Senior Alignment & Innovation Lead, the role provides a unique opportunity to  influence quality improvement activities by creating active partnerships with clients and communities through principles of self-determination to inform and contribute to the delivery of positive outcomes and support VFSTs quality agenda.  

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage and facilitate the Client and Community Advisory Groups, including planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation in collaboration with the Community and Sector Capacity Building and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Areas in a Regional based service delivery model.
• Coordinate initiatives to strengthen client and community participation and feedback in alignment with the VFST Client and Community Voices Framework
• Increase staff awareness of client and community participation including the identification of training needs of staff and collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders as required
• Develop and implement systems for reporting informal and formal feedback from clients on their experience of frontline services in alignment with (ITRSM) and funding requirements.
• Contribute to the development of an integrated suite of outcome measures across frontline services, including existing measures of client wellbeing in alignment with the Care Governance Framework and National Mental Health Standards.
• Work closely with the General Manager Practice Excellence and Quality team to ensure client and community voices are integrated into quality projects and actions where applicable.

The role is available a full-time, 12-month fixed-term position and is based in our Brunswick office.

What you’ll need to successfully apply
To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the below selection criteria:

• Graduate qualification in community development, social work, psychology, public health, or related discipline.
• Expertise in developing, implementing and evaluating projects of increasing complexity that respond to the needs of community groups.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and working with groups around a range of topics with community members and ability to effectively manage conflict and dynamics across various groups and diversity within groups.
• Experience in working with refugees and/or clients of a culturally and linguistically diverse background and/or with clients who experience systemic disadvantage.
• Experience in undertaking evaluation including participatory approaches to inform policy, practice, and quality improvement.
• Experience providing leadership in an organisation focused on people and communities recovering from traumatic events.
• Excellent interpersonal skills supported by strong written and verbal communication skills. This will be evidenced by demonstrated commitment to working collegially with all colleagues in the interests of the VFST mission, organisational effectiveness, clients and their communities and other relevant stakeholders.

In return
You’ll be rewarded with:

• an attractive remuneration package of $110,102 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 below for detailed information about the role and more information about our hiring process.

Position Description:  https://tinyurl.com/bdzczx6h
Copy & paste link to download PDF

Applications are due to close 17th of March 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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