• Rare opportunity to make a big difference to help people living with HIV to thrive.

• Diverse, inclusive and supportive workplace.

• Permanent part-time opportunity based in our new Parramatta office

• Great benefits incl. salary packaging, e-learning, development opportunities, gifted leave, EAP access and more.

We encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience as applications may be reviewed prior to the closing date and the closing date may be brought forward without notice.

HIV is still here. Fear, stigma and ignorance still exist. Today, around 37 million people worldwide live with HIV, of whom 22 million are on treatment. Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) will turn 40 in 2024 and has an ambition to grow our services to help people living with HIV (PLHIV) and its wider community to thrive in Australia.

If you are looking for a rewarding job that makes a huge difference to people’s lives at a diverse and inclusive workplace, then BGF could be the right choice for you!

About us

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) is Australia’s oldest community-based HIV organisation, providing client services and health promotion programs in NSW and SA. We provide direct practical assistance, emotional support, financial counselling, and housing advocacy to people living with HIV.

Our services are accessible to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or cultural and linguistic background.

Our vision

To help people living with HIV to thrive.

Our mission

BGF provides high quality client services and health promotions programs, as well as advocating with and for people living with HIV.

BGF works to change social attitudes around HIV, to reduce fear, discrimination and stigma and promote acceptance and understanding, working also at a systemic level to influence policy and service development.

Our values

Compassion, Solidarity, Empowerment and Inclusivity.

For more information about BGF please visit our website: https://www.bgf.org.au/

Please also check out our LinkedIn posts and videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9g8fyvX0a8&t=53s – from our Financial Counsellor

About you and the role

As Financial Counsellor, you will play a vital role in helping BGF fulfill their mission. You will assist people living with HIV (PLHIV) in financial difficulty by providing information and support to help them deal with their financial problems, manage their debts and alleviate the stress of being in financial hardship. You will support our clients improve their quality of life.

You have strong attention to detail with a focus on customer service. You are a true team player with can-do attitude and a collaborative mindset, and are aligned to the vision, purpose and values of BGF.

Specifically, reporting to the Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) Manager, the Financial Counsellor is responsible for the provision of financial counselling services; program development; operational management; and partner relationship management.

It is an exciting timing to join BGF. We are expanding our services to Western Sydney, and this role will be based in our new office in Parramatta (with some travel to Surry Hills office as required).

Financial counselling services

• Provide a full assessment of a client’s financial circumstances and other issues that impact their situation;

• Provide information and strategies on financial matters and how clients can prevent getting into financial difficulties in the future;

• Provide information on various forms of governmental assistance available;

• Identify problems in relation to client’s use of credit;

• Advocate on behalf of clients and negotiate with creditors on their behalf. Where possible encourage clients to advocate and negotiate on their own behalf;

• Educate clients of their rights and responsibilities in relation to lending practices, harassment and intimidation, debt recovery and the Credit Code;

• Work with fellow case workers, case managers and other relevant service providers to develop Individual Support Plans to support clients;

• Refer clients internally to caseworkers for financial assistance in accordance with the Financial Assistance Guidelines;

• Refer clients externally to relevant welfare and legal services for advice and support; and

• Deliver services in a range of formats and media, as appropriate.

Program development

• Build upon existing program in new and creative ways to better engage existing and potential clients living outside of the Sydney inner-city region;

• Develop and deliver programs and workshops relating to budgeting, money management and other relevant topics;

• Conduct community education seminars and similar activities on debt and credit issues;

• Contribute towards the design of, and consider results of BGF’s annual client satisfaction survey; and

• Provide client services workers with up-to-date information on developments in credit legislation, debt recovery processes, bankruptcy etc.

Operational management

• Maintain compulsory accreditation as a Financial Counsellor with FCAN and adhere to all relevant legislative requirements;

• Establish, update and maintain client records and files so that client needs are accurately recorded and effectively handled, ensuring that statistics are available on a timely basis and information is up to date and accessible when absent;

• Be an internal resource for BGF Caseworkers and Case Managers in relation to all matters pertaining to financial counselling, including educating them about the risks associated with them providing financial advice;

• Undertake a periodic review all services and their effectiveness in delivering KPIs; and

• Responsible for own day to day administration e.g. travel, correspondence, appointments, record-keeping.

Partner relationship management

• Participate in Case Management conferencing activities as the BGF representative;

• Ensure partners provide an agreed level of service, advice or support to BGF clients;

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with partners; and

• Establish and maintain protocols for working with partners to deliver agreed levels of support, service and advice to clients e.g. case conferences.

In addition, you will meet the following requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in financial counselling, finance or economics;

• Certified Financial Counsellor with FCAN;

• Experience in Financial Counselling (a background in finance, financial planning, credit management etc. is desirable);

• NDIS Worker Screening Check;

• Knowledge and experience working with clients from a diverse background including but not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and people with disability;

• Highly developed communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to form strong relationships and negotiating positive outcome

• High-level computing expertise in programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and other Office 365 applications;

• Developed time management and problem-solving skills;

• Attention to detail;

• Highly numerate;

• Proof of right to work in Australia & 100 points ID;

• Valid, unrestricted NSW driver’s license; and

• Due to the inherent work, health and safety considerations for clients and staff who provide support to them, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e., double dosed plus recommended booster doses) prior to commencing any work, unless medically exempt. If you are not medically eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, you must provide BGF with acceptable evidence of having a health condition for which obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination is contraindicated.

Benefits & Culture

• Make a significant impact on the lives of PLHIV.

• Much more than just a job – it is a rare and great opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded individuals.

• Equal opportunity employer committed to providing a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace.

• Permanent part-time opportunity.

• Great benefits incl. salary packaging, e-learning, development opportunities, discount shopping, gifted leave, EAP access and more.

• Gain experiences through empowering people, their families and carers, and the wider community.

How to apply

Please submit your current resume and a covering letter to Mike Searle, our Client Services Director, via email to [email protected]. In your covering letter, please briefly explain why you think you are suitable for the role by addressing the requirements for the role.

Should you have any questions please contact Mike Searle via email.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. People living with HIV, First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.