The organisation

Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights) is a community based legal centre in Surry Hills specialising in helping consumers of financial services, particularly credit, banking, insurance and debt. Financial Rights focuses on issues that affect vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers.

Since 2018, Financial Rights has been operating Mob Strong Debt Help (“Mob Strong”). Mob Strong is a free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The program specialises in supporting people with debts from consumer loans (such as credit cards, pay day loans and car loans), banking, debt recovery and insurance (including car, home, travel, life and funeral) insurance in a culturally safe manner.

The Campaign

The Save Sorry Business Campaign was set up to advocate for compensation for First Nations people who lost money as a result of three decades of misleading and deceptive conduct by the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (ACBF – later known as Youpla).  ACBF recently went into liquidation when a loophole in the law that allowed them to operate was closed. Thousands of First Nations people have collectively lost millions of dollars intended to pay for their funerals and other sorry business expenses.

The campaign is led by the Save Sorry Business Coalition. Key Coalition members include Mob Strong Debt Help/Financial Rights, Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network, Financial Counselling Australia, Broome Circle, Bush Money Mob, Consumer Action Law Centre and Choice.

The role

Mob Strong Debt Help is a First Nations program of the Financial Rights Legal Centre, one of the lead agencies in the Save Sorry Business campaign coalition.  As part of the Save Sorry Business campaign, Financial Rights Legal Centre, on behalf of the campaign coalition, is seeking an experienced campaigner, community organiser or project manager with a deep commitment to self-determination and justice for First Nations peoples and a background in building the power of First Nations peoples through collective action.

The collapse of the funeral fund ACBF/Youpla has left over 30,000 First Nations peoples without money they had saved to pay for the cultural practice of Sorry Business. In March 2022, the Save Sorry Business Coalition was created to call for justice for people affected by the collapse.

We are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and experienced Campaign Coordinator for a part-time (21 hours a week) 12 month contract with potential option to renew.  Demonstration of transferrable skills and strong experience in project management and stakeholder engagement will be considered and valued. This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified position. The centre operates a hybrid working model; partial remote working arrangements will be considered.

The Coordinator will provide leadership and effective management of the Save Sorry Business Campaign in order to ensure that the Campaign is well positioned to achieve its mission and purposes. The Campaign’s main goal is to ensure an enduring resolution for all those harmed by the ACBF/Youpla collapse. This position will co-ordinate the Campaign, consistent with the objectives and priorities set out in the First Nations-led Campaign meetings; and oversee all aspects of the Campaign coordination and progress, including development, collaboration and support of teamwork and inclusive First Nations led decision making processes.

Please see the position description for further details on the role: financialrights.org.au/Position-Description-Save-Sorry-Business-Campaign-Coordinator/

Rewards and Benefits

• Join a passionate team of First Nations workers within a larger group of culturally trained staff
• Competitive Salary + 10.5% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,900  for tax free benefits)
• Flexible work arrangements, 21 hour work week with flexibility in days and hours. Work life balance is important to us
• 4 weeks annual leave with an additional 7 days of gifted leave (pro-rated)
• Hybrid  or remote working model
• We offer a place where you know you are contributing to an organisation committed to helping others. We are passionate about #Socialjustice
• Specialised First Nations Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service

The successful applicant will

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and be accepted in their community as such
• Have a passion for social justice, especially for improving outcomes for First Nations peoples
• Have experience with campaigning for political or social change and/or strong experience in coordinating and collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders to achieve a common goal
• Hold a belief in and commitment to a fair and enduring resolution for those harmed by the collapse of ACBF/Youpla
• Be a team player with strong project management skills, who is respectful, constructive and able to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to resolve complex issues and solve problems collaboratively
• Have knowledge, understanding, and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culture, including the cultural importance of Sorry Business
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a broader team
• Ability to travel widely preferred
• Comply with NSW current public health orders and requirements with COVID vaccination

How to apply

Please send your resume and a covering letter which outlines your suitability to the role to: [email protected]

If you have any questions, please call 02 9212 4216 or email [email protected]

Applications close: NO DEADLINE – PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!