Case Worker, Pacific Labour Facility

at  Palladium Group Inc

Company Overview
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.
For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives.
Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.

REQUIREMENTS

The Case Worker will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Qualifications in a relevant discipline, e.g. Education and Training, Community Services, Human Services.
• 5 - 10 years’ relevant work experience in case management in a related field, e.g. employment services or migrant settlement services.
• Demonstrated high relationship management skills, including the ability to negotiate for outcomes that are beneficial to clients and communities.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills with demonstrated experience in using communications strategically for advocacy purposes.
• Competency in the use of MS Word, MS Excel, email and the Internet.
• Driver’s licence and willingness to drive to regional locations
• Flexibility to undertake frequent travel, including after hours and weekends

Key personal skills and attributes:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with an ability to operate diplomatically and with cross-cultural sensitivity with government, private sector and community stakeholders.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with a range of government, industry, donor and community stakeholders.
• Highly developed problem-solving skills and ability to think innovatively and laterally

PROJECT OVERVIEW AND ROLE

The Pacific Labour Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Programme are two employment programs sponsored by the Australian government, which allow citizens of Pacific Countries to take up low and semi-skilled work opportunities with Australian employers in certain locations and industries. These programs increase circular labour mobility within Pacific countries, which builds people-to-people links and supports increased economic growth, employment and investment across the region.
The Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) facilitates the connection of Australian employers with Pacific workers for both these programs. The facility also provides continuous support to Pacific workers who are taking part in the programs. The PLF will act as trusted intermediary in connecting Australian employers with Pacific workers and in its partnerships with Pacific countries, the private sector and other stakeholders. The PLF is managed by Palladium on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT).
The Case Worker will share the responsibility with the Worker Welfare Team for the provision of high-quality pastoral care and employment support to cohorts of incoming semi-skilled workers. The Case Worker will focus on providing intensive support during the initial four months of each cohort’s arrival, ensuring the successful transition into both workplace and their living environments.The Case worker will assist the Worker Arrival Coordinators with on arrival briefings and accompanying workers to their place of employment.
Ongoing communication and worker visits will be undertaken by the Case Worker as required to ensure: the ongoing wellbeing of employees, to support effective resolution of issues as they arise, and to maintain and strengthen key stakeholder relationships. The Case Worker will also brief the Worker Welfare Manager - Case Management when serious issues require resolution through escalation to a more senior level.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Worker Welfare Manager - Case Management the Case Worker will:

• Assist Worker Arrival Coordinators in the coordination of on-arrival briefings for workers and the mobilisation of workers to the place of employment when required.
• Be available for rostered shifts on the 24-7 phone support line for workers.
• Ongoing monthly contact with workers to monitor personal well-being (in person or via phone).
• Monitor the ongoing personal well-being of workers and report on situations where workers may be at risk in terms of performance in the workplace, mental wellbeing and adjusting to life in Australia.
• Support workers to access medical, allied and emergency health services when required, including where workers are unable to afford medical treatment, or are in circumstances that pose a risk to workers’ welfare and wellbeing.
• Complete monthly report/checklist on circumstances that pose a risk to workers’ welfare and wellbeing and maintain accurate case notes, trip reports and other required documentation in a timely manner.
• Support continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of the program through regular correspondence and face-to-face contact with the workers and key stakeholders as required.
• Escalate relevant issues to the Worker Welfare Manager - Case Management for resolution.
• Provide inputs as required into monitoring and evaluation activities according to the PLF M&E framework. For example, conduct surveys and/or interviews with workers and employers on arrival, on-placement and at completion.
• Ongoing contribution to continuous improvement in service delivery and program performance.
• Provide inputs as required into progress reports to DFAT.
• Establish and maintain strong stakeholder relationships between the PLF employers and workers
• Support the effective resolution of conflicts and issues as they arise
• Provide logistical support for workers returning early, including, if required, negotiations with employers with respect to cost sharing and reimbursement arrangements.
• Other tasks as reasonably requested by the Worker Welfare Manager - Case Management.

The Case Worker may also be required to:

• Undertake pre-deployment visits to each employer location to establish key stakeholder relationships (e.g. employers, accommodation providers) to gain an understanding of the location’s working and living environment for incoming workers.
• Investigate and secure appropriate accommodation (where not provided by employers), including negotiating requirements for tenancy bonds, references and tenancy contracts.
• Coordinate accommodation arrangements with employers where accommodation is provided, including an assessment of accommodation standards.
• Identify and establish relationships with relevant diaspora communities, migrant resource centres and other relevant community resources.