Contract AN EXCITING JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, FOR SOMEONE PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE WELFARE OF SEASONAL WORKERS WHILST THEY ARE OVERSEAS WORKING!
Job Description
Title: Labour Mobility Worker Welfare Officer
Duration: 12 months, from November 2021
Government pay scale: 4.1
Annual salary: 1,195,500
Purpose of the Position:
The Labour Mobility Worker Welfare Officer will provide specialised welfare support and advice to workers participating in labour mobility, their families, as well as other key stakeholders including employers, diaspora and the facilitators of the three labour mobility programs (SWP, PLS, RSE). This officer is expected to work closely with the PLF worker welfare stream, the Australia Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DSEE), Approved Employers in Australia and New Zealand; to coordinate and monitor Ni-Vanuatu workers’ welfare. This role will liaise closely with the Labour Mobility Country Liaison Officers (Vanuatu Government) who will be based in both Australia and New Zealand.
This Worker Welfare will be the primary contact for welfare representatives in Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand. All welfare related requests, case management and reports will be coordinated by this position.
The Pacific Labour Facility (PLF)
The PLF facilitates seasonal and longer-term work opportunities for Pacific workers to Australia. It connects Australian employers with Pacific workers, supports the administration of the PLS and provides targeted support to SWP. The PLF is managed by Palladium and provides the backbone of Australia’s future support for circular labour mobility in the Pacific under the direction of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The PLF has been established as a trusted intermediary in connecting Australian employers with Pacific workers. This role is initially funded by PLF and is part of the Vanuatu Government staffing structure.
Labour Mobility Programs (PLS, SWP, RSE):
There are currently three labour mobility programs being implemented in Vanuatu. The Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) offers opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu to work in Australia for up to three years, in various sectors (meatworks, agriculture and tourism). The Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) offers opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu to work in Australia for up to 9 months at a time primarily in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. The Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) program offers opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu to work in New Zealand for up to 7 months at a time primarily in the viticulture and horticulture sectors.
Duties:
Under the direction of senior ESU staff, the Labour Mobility Worker Welfare Officer will:
- Coordinate all welfare requests received by the LSU from the PLF Worker Welfare Team or from PLS/ SWP/ RSE employers.
- Coordinate and communicate with seasonal workers, case managers, families, employers and community members as required/requested.
- Liaise with the Australia Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DSEE) to support Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) employers, the community coordinators and other relevant stakeholders regarding any Ni-Vanuatu worker welfare issue.
- Pro-actively liaise with workers, team leaders and AEs to create regular and open dialogue to manage any issues that may arise, identify early interventions, information, and capacity development opportunities to support all welfare linked stakeholders.
- Record worker welfare incidents, including data entry and reporting (within IRD) or using other suitable methods
- Provide strategic analysis on worker welfare trends and recommend interventions/ responses to these increasing worker welfare trends.
- Provide input/facilitate ‘worker welfare’ sessions at pre-departure briefings for mobilising workers
- Support the LSU and PLF Worker Welfare team to embed the proposed Worker Welfare framework.
- Work with the LSU to develop family support mechanisms within Vanuatu, when the workers are away in NZ and/ or Australia.
- Where appropriate and if there’s time, support mobilization, preparation and re-integration activities.
- Support research opportunities for ongoing worker welfare related research, through partnerships with government ministries, private sector and relevant Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including faith based organisations, social services and NGOs.
- Collaborate with the Vanuatu Government, Country Liaison Officers (based in NZ and in Australia). This role will work very closely with the Country Liaison Officers.
- Collaborate with the PLF Country Liaison Coordinator and participate in liaison officer activities as appropriate.
- Provide timely reports to management in relation to the labour mobility programs.
- Travel locally and internationally, as required
- Other tasks as reasonably requested by LSU senior staff and Labour Mobility Engagement Manager.
Qualifications, Experience, Skills & Abilities:
- Have a background in social welfare, counselling or related fields.
- Experience in psychology, welfare support, and/ or community needs analysis.
- An understanding of current issues in relation to circular labour mobility, including related policy and regulatory frameworks, and the ability to translate these to implementation.
- Experience in cross-cultural environments with an understanding of challenges and opportunities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- A demonstrated ability to build productive and sustainable working partnerships with a variety of stakeholders (including partner government, civil society and the private sector)
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of different individuals and organisations
- Demonstrates high levels of initiative.
- Excellent computer skills (Internet, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Experience in managing and implementing projects.
- Understanding of Gender, Disability and Social inclusion
- Experience in fast paced working environments, with tight deadlines
- Fluent in English and Bislama
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