Financial Counsellor (Remote work role)

Position Overview:

Bravery Trust is looking for a financial counsellor with five-plus years of practice experience to join our Financial Counselling team. 

The role is offered as a contract stretching into 2025.

Bravery Trust is a unique nationally operated ACNC registered charity that changes lives by ensuring current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, and their families, do not suffer because of their service. We provide financial counselling for current and former defence members and financial assistance to those who are in financial hardship and have suffered injury or illness as a result of their service. Bravery Trust is a part of the growing Ex-Service Organisation (ESO) sector which provides assistance to veterans and members of the defence community. 

Veterans are a unique cohort within the broader community who require specialist services tailored for their lived experience.

This role will support veterans referred from other service organisations and those who self-refer for support with a strong focus on managing debt as well as support with budgeting, understanding spending patterns and general financial literacy. 

The role complements our financial assistance team by taking referrals for clients who can reduce their cycle of hardship through financial counselling intervention. Financial Counsellors at Bravery Trust also provide secondary consultation to our financial assessment team and our future financial capability workforce. 

All of Bravery Trust’s services are delivered by phone, email and video conferencing with staff working remotely. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provision of consistent financial counselling to support beneficiaries (clients) achieve financial stability within a positive, respectful, non-judgemental, and culturally inclusive environment.
• Provide advocacy and referral support for clients who require assistance navigating financial hardship systems and allied services.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the unique needs and culture of the veteran community.
• Work collaboratively across the broader financial counselling sector, services & agencies to build capacity and raise awareness of issues impacting veterans.
• Work collaboratively with an evolving organization which is undergoing service growth and continuing to calibrate the service model.
• To provide accurate and consistent assessment, negotiation/advocacy with creditors & referral to external agencies or medical professionals.
• To establish & maintain accurate and timely client files within agency policy, procedures & guidelines.
• To adhere to Financial Counselling Australia Ethical Guidelines.
• To actively engage in regular supervision, team/agency meetings as required.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Government Legislation & Social Policy.
• Provision of support to applicants & beneficiaries over the telephone & via email.
• Work closely with the Financial Counselling and Beneficiaries Teams & Head of Operations.
• Competent using the following IT systems; Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook & a client record management system.

Essential Selection Criteria:

• Diploma in Financial Counselling with five years current practice experience.
• Accredited member of a Financial Counsellors Association.
• Sound knowledge of consumer banking, financial systems, and relevant legislation 
• Demonstrated high level of interpersonal, active listening and analytical skills, including demonstrated ability to establish rapport & establish collaborative working relationships with a range of internal & external stakeholders. 
• Ability to represent Bravery Trust at various forums support group community education with a view to helping veterans and their families build longer-term financial capability and make informed choices.
• Excellent track record in providing quality financial counselling to vulnerable clients and awareness of issues affecting veterans.
• Willingness to work remotely with a nationally distributed team.
• Ability to work within an organization undergoing service development
• Demonstrated ability to work within a counselling framework is highly regarded
• Criminal History Check 
• Clear Working with Children Check (relevant state) 

What We Can Offer You

• Access to not-for-profit salary packaging as a Public Benevolent Institution
• A variety of flexible work arrangements to help you balance work with life
• Professional Development opportunities and support to maintain professional accreditation
• Reasonable case-load and supportive work environment