Acknowledgement of Country

Switchboard Victoria is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples.

We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.

About Switchboard Victoria (Inc.)

Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies.

Our current activities include:

• Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national QLife service. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships.
• Community connections for older LGBTI people – Switchboard’s Out & About program aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness through creating friendship and connection between LGBTI seniors living anywhere in Victoria and peer volunteer visitors.
• Rainbow Door – is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family, and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
• Suicide prevention – research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities.
• QTIBPoC Programs – The QTIBPoC programs aim to build greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith. In consultation with key stakeholders, Switchboard’s QTIBPoC Programs will build internal capacity to meet QTIBPoC community needs and extend into targeted services.
• Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations. Trainings offerings include LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice, How to Recognise and Respond to F/IPV, How To Talk About Suicide Safely, Everyday Racism In The Workplace and Peer Support Training. Staff are accredited to deliver LivingWorks programs ASIST and safeTALK.
• Rainbow Families – Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. Supporting services to develop and deliver rainbow family-inclusive better practice across Victoria.

Position Details

• Title: LGBTI+ Ageing Lead
• Organisation: Switchboard Victoria (Inc)
• Employment Type: 1.0 FTE (38 hours per week)
• Classification/Remuneration: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award 2010 Community Services Employee Level 7.1, Plus, Superannuation 11%, Plus, tax benefit from salary sacrifice package of up to $15,899
• Location: St Kilda
• Reports to: LGBTI+ Ageing Program Manager
• Direct reports: 4 x Regional Coordinators, 1 x Project Support Officer

About The Program

The LGBTI+ Ageing initiative aims to reduce social isolation, tackle ageism, and work with local communities to build long-term improvement and change for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender diverse and intersex (LGBTI+)* Victorians. The project has a specific focus on centring the experience and needs of older LGBTI+ people to pilot solutions that are peer-designed, culturally safe and locally relevant. This project sits within the broader LGBTI+ Ageing Program at Switchboard, alongside policy and advocacy work, the Out and About Aged Care Volunteer Visiting Scheme and Victorian Government funded visiting program. 

*At Switchboard, when we work with older LGBTIQA+ people, we use the acronym LGBTI+ in response to feedback we have had that for some the term “queer” is offensive due to the historical use of this word being used in an abusive and insulting manner. Our use of this acronym encompasses all LGBTIQA+ identities and no-one is out of scope.   

Position Overview

The LGBTI+ Ageing Lead is responsible for leading the delivery of this multi-year project, reporting to the LGBTI+ Ageing Program Manager. Working in collaboration with the Program Manager and Switchboard leadership, this role will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of two key statewide initiatives over 3.5 years The role will supervise the work of 4 Regional Coordinators and a Support Officer to meet project objectives and milestones. We are looking for a creative and experienced person with a passion for working with older people and a focus on finding solutions There will be occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel across Victoria to meet with service users and volunteers and attend events. 

Responsibilities and Duties

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Recruit and lead the LGBTI+ Ageing Regional Coordinators to deliver project milestones and objectives. 

• Engage with stakeholders / partners to facilitate co-design and support delivery initiatives.  

  Plan, implement, track and report project activities and outcomes, communications, and reporting. 

  Take primary responsibility for the delivery phase of each activity to ensure on-time, high-quality project delivery.  

  Manage relationships with community, delivery partners and key stakeholders. 

  Supervise Regional Coordinators and Regional Community Reference Groups. Undertake role of suburban and peri-urban lead for events and network engagement. 

  Report to LGBTI+ Ageing Program Manager, Project Steering Committee and Victorian Government on project progress. 

  Coordinate project evaluation in collaboration with LGBTI+ Ageing Program Manager to ensure high-quality data collection, project outcomes and process evaluation and recommendations to Victorian Government for future funding. 

• There will be occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel across Victoria to meet with service users and volunteers and attend events. 

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Applicant must identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual (LGBTIQA+) [Switchboard Victoria has an exemption under the Equal Employment].
2. Relevant qualification and/or 5+ years’ experience working in the community services sector.
3. 3+ years community engagement and program management and evaluation experience.
4. Demonstrated ability to undertake, organise and manage a peer-based co-design project with multiple stakeholders and objectives from initial stages through to completion.
5. Well-developed computer literacy and able to effectively use a wide range of programs including Microsoft 365 applications and client management systems.
6. An understanding of the complex issues faced by socially isolated older members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual, (LGBTIQA+) communities.
7. An understanding of what it means to take an antiracist and intersectional approach to every aspect of your work.
8. Highly developed interpersonal skills and exceptional verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of ages, professional and cultural backgrounds.
9. A current Australian drivers’ license (or equivalent).
10. Current Victoria Police Check (or willingness to undergo this prior to commencement).
11. Access to a car that you are willing to use for local and regional travel, with third party insurance and roadside assist

Highly Desirable

1. Previous experience working with LGBTIQA+ people who identify as queer, trans, intersex and bla(c)k and/or people of colour.
2. Demonstrated experience volunteering or working to support older people with disability and/or care needs.
3. Speak a first language other than English.

To ensure you are familiar with Switchboard’s purpose, programs, and ways of working, please visit our website at switchboard.org.au.

For more information, please contact Meredith Butler, LGBTI+ Ageing Program Manager at [email protected], using the subject line: LGBTI+ Ageing Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

How to apply:

Carefully review the key selection criteria and address these in your application. In addition, include your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications.

Please note that applications that do not address the key selection criteria will not be considered.

Please submit your application using the from via the Apply Now link.

*Rolling interviews will be held, so we encourage applicants to apply before closing date.

Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin.  Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith; identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health.

Find out more about working at Switchboard at switchboard.org.au.