High Schools Program Manager
Job No:
19944
Location:
Sydney, NSW
About the Organisation
Best Buddies Australia is a unique and exciting not for profit organisation that seeks to harness the power of friendship to transform the lives of people with an intellectual disability. The organisation aims to create a community where all people are connected, included, respected and valued, through friendship.
The Best Buddies High Schools Program matches a young person with an intellectual disability (ID) to another young person without a disability from the same school in a one to one friendship.
These friendships have profound and positive effects on the Buddies (students with an ID) and are also very rewarding for the Peer Buddies (student volunteers without an ID).
About the Opportunity
Best Buddies Australia currently has an exciting opportunity for a motivated High Schools Program Manager to drive the success of this innovative program, throughout Sydney.
You will be called upon to use creativity and innovation to maximise volunteer participation throughout the program, ensuring the success of each one-to-one match.
The role involves coordinating, driving and supporting successful one to one matches in conjunction with a team of volunteers including mainstream and support unit Teachers, a Student Leadership team and, at times, buddy pairs directly.
This is a Part Time 12 month maternity leave contract, with a view to extension, working 28 hours per week.
Reporting to the Executive Director, key responsibilities with this role include:
- Developing an appropriate calendar for the school year applying the Best Buddies High Schools framework consistently across all NSW Chapters;
- Maintaining existing schools participation in the program and where appropriate identifying, selecting and approaching appropriate new schools;
- Selecting dedicated teaching staff to serve as Faculty Advisors and Special Education Advisors at each school;
- Overseeing all day-to-day operations of chapters/matches;
- Developing, tailoring and delivering Program training to Buddies, Peer Buddies and families (via Family Info Nights where possible);
- Guiding and supporting Chapters in holding fundraisers, social group activities and community activities;
- Being responsible for the development, promotion and participation of members in the Buddy Pair Of The Year Award; and
- Keeping www.bestbuddies.org.au up to date with current school success stories, buddy pair profiles and topical articles via timely news-articles and photographs.
Essentially, this is a fantastic opportunity to play an integral role in the development and delivery of a highly rewarding community program, which directly impacts upon the lives of students with intellectual disabilities and families.
This unique role requires a person with an excellent understanding of, and interest in, the broad issues affecting young people with an intellectual disability. This includes a commitment to Social Inclusion principles and the ability to articulate this in relation to students with an intellectual disability. Relevant tertiary qualifications or experience in a relevant field (Education, Social Work, Psychology) will be an advantage.
In addition, you will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to motivate, engage and work with young people and adults. You will have demonstrated experience in managing similar projects, including skills in planning ahead, organising work, meeting deadlines and working independently. Importantly, you will have a "can do" attitude which allows you to meet challenges as they arise.
To commence in this role, the successful applicant must have a current licence and car (with comprehensive insurance) and will be subject to a successful Working with Children’s Check
Working Part Time, there is real opportunity for flexibility in the role, in the hours you work, in the locations you work from, and in the methods you use to achieve outcomes. End success is measured by the maintenance of one to one friendships, so there is the opportunity to be creative in the delivery of this program.
You will be joining a supportive and close-knit team of professionals, each passionate about the organisation's goals and committed to celebrating successes. Best Buddies Australia boasts a team of people who enjoy their jobs, and still being relatively new, the successful candidate will make a real contribution towards the growth, potential and culture of the organisation.
In addition to the satisfaction you gain as part of a genuinely rewarding community program that delivers meaningful and lasting friendships, you will enjoy a generous salary circa $47,876 plus salary packaging options to increase the value of your take-home pay. You will also be provided with a laptop and mobile phone, as well as travel expenses.
Don't miss this opportunity to stamp your mark on an exciting and innovative Social Inclusion program dedicated to making real inroads into improving the lives of students with an intellectual disability - Apply Now!