INTRODUCTION:

The Opportunity
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking an experienced and values-driven Assistant Director of Safeguarding to join the senior leadership team within the Office of Safeguarding (OoSG).
This is a critical leadership role, responsible for driving best-practice safeguarding strategies to protect children and vulnerable adults, while embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and dignity across the Diocese.
Based in Mayfield, this permanent full-time position provides strategic advice to Diocesan leadership and oversees key functions including administrative inquiries, risk management, safeguarding training, statutory and Church-based compliance programs, and stakeholder engagement.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Director of Safeguarding is a Senior Leader within the Office of Safeguarding and will be the primary leader across all functions.
The Assistant Director of Safeguarding is a senior leadership position within the Office of Safeguarding (OoSG), responsible for driving best-practice safeguarding strategies for children and vulnerable adults. Working closely with the Director of Safeguarding, this role works to ensure that the Diocese is compliant with all internal and external safeguarding obligations.
The Assistant Director leads the safeguarding team, overseeing the Diocese’s involvement in the statutory reportable conduct scheme, the National Redress Scheme and statutory and Church based safeguarding standards compliance regimes; as well as undertaking administrative inquiries, risk management and safety planning, managing personal injury claims and oversight of the Diocese’s safeguarding training regime. The role is instrumental in embedding a safeguarding culture across the Diocese and ensuring adherence to legislative, regulatory, and Church safeguarding standards.
The incumbent commits to working within Work Health and Safety guidelines and Code of Conduct at all times whilst in the employ of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• A capacity to understand, promote and model the mission of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle and a familiarity with the culture, structures and contemporary ethos of Catholicism in Australia.
• A comprehensive and contemporary knowledge of statutory and Church safeguarding standards and extensive experience leading in the areas of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of specialists with an inclusive leadership style that is holistic and exemplifies servant leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, execute, and achieve outcomes of strategic and pastoral plans, whilst ensuring good governance and sound business practices are implemented and followed.
• Superior decision-making, problem-solving, communication, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple simultaneous tasks, prioritise conflicting demands and work to hard deadlines, independently and in a high pressure work environment.
• A high level of personal responsibility, commitment to professional, ethical and evidence based practice.
• Extensive and broad knowledge and/or experience and skills in managing cases in criminal and civil courts and judicial tribunals (Desirable).
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships with statutory safeguarding authorities (Desirable).
• Superior skills with using Microsoft Office suite and related software (Desirable).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Tertiary or post graduate qualifications in psychology, social work, legal studies or law, criminology or related areas.
• A Working with Children Clearance must be obtained from the Office of the Children’s Guardian prior to commencing the role and must remain current during the entire period in the role. It is the position holder’s responsibility to renew their Clearance prior to expiry.
• Current National Criminal History Check
• Current Drivers Licence
• Postgraduate qualifications in a related field (Desirable)
• Justice of the Peace or notary public (Desirable)
  To Apply

Please provide a current copy of your Resume and a Cover Letter which addresses the two criterion points below:

• What motivates your desire for this role and how does it correspond with your career objectives?
• Your professional qualifications and previous experience in a related position.

For any further information about the role, please contact Sean Tynan - Director of Safeguarding: sean.tynan@mn.catholic.org.au
Applications close Friday 18th July 2025 at 11.59pm
Additional Information
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation

• Tertiary or postgraduate qualifications in psychology, social work, legal studies, law, criminology, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated leadership experience in safeguarding or a related field
• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, legislation, and compliance standards
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of stakeholders
  If you are a senior leader committed to ethical leadership and the protection of vulnerable adults, we encourage you to apply.