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MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE

Senior Program Manager

  • Dandenong, VIC, Australia, 3175
  • Permanent - Full time
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The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The Senior Program Manager - Cultural Programs is an integral part of Southern Metro’s Client Services Management Team, working closely with the Executive Manager – Operations & Culture Programs to strengthen VACCA's relationship with the Aboriginal community and enhancing its capacity to develop culturally responsive programs and policies.
 
The Senior Program Manager - Cultural Programs is responsible for overseeing a range of key initiatives to ensure effective, high-quality services. This role focuses on achieving funding targets, meeting compliance requirements, and involves programs like Lakidjeka ACSASS, Cultural Support Plans, Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making, Aboriginal Led Case Conferencing, and Cultural groups. The Senior Program Manager provides leadership and support to staff within these programs, working closely with the Southern Management Team for successful collaboration.

About You

  • Commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
  • Tertiary qualifications in the field of social work, psychology or community services (or other relevant discipline) and extensive relevant experience or a combination of experience, expertise and competence sufficient to perform the duties required
  • A minimum 3 years working with families, children and young people in a senior leadership position
  • An excellent knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, kinship structures, history, values and issues facing the Cultural Connections target groups.
  • Knowledge data and finance collection and reporting systems, and experience in reporting on a range of programmatic data requirements related to the various programs reporting to the role.
  • Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills and a capacity to model the qualities associated with Aboriginal leadership.
  • Demonstrated experience in, program implementation, service planning including monitoring, evaluation and maintenance of standards.
  • A proven ability to provide culturally safe supervision and support to staff to develop their capacity to effectively work with and address the individual and specific needs of Aboriginal families
  • Ability to work under pressure, to demonstrate professional judgement in decision making and high-level risk assessments
  • Requirements: Valid Police Check, a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended)

What we can offer you

  • A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
  • The support of regular internal supervision
  • Professional development and training opportunities 
  • Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
  • 17.5%  loading on annual leave
  • Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
  • Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
  • Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
  • Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
  • Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

 We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying.

Please click below to download the position description for this role. 

Download File Senior Program Manager - Cultural Programs- Southern -SPM 1.pdf

Application closes by 1st February 2026

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy

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