Food Systems Officer

Job No: MOR880
Location: Coburg

Expression of Interest

Internal Vacancy

  • Salary:  Band 6 - $97k - $105k + Super (pro-rata)
  • 0.8 FTE - 30.4 hours per week
  • Duration:  3 June 2024 – 1 December 2024

About the role 

This position will lead the implementation of the Food System Strategy, by engaging with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the development and delivery of projects and programs.

The focus will be on managing key relationships to deliver objectives under the Community Food Hub and Food and Material Relief funding and service agreements and the My Smart Garden program. Updating the Communal Food Garden Guidelines is also a key deliverable.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who:

  • Is passionate about working with the community to maximise participation and increase community knowledge and capacity in Food Systems.
  • Has experience in working in multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Has an understanding of and experience in community development, program development and evaluation and project management.

Skills and experience required to perform the role 

  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise with a variety of internal and external contacts with confidence and enthusiasm, including the capacity to deal with conflict and creative problem solving.
  • Excellent relationship management and people management skills to build new relationships.
  • Proven research, strategic thinking and analytical skills
  • Demonstrated program and project management skills, program and/or project design and delivery.

Key tasks for June – November 2024

Lead Merri-bek Council’s contribution to the My Smart Garden program:

  • Manage partnership with CERES to complete the 2024 Olives to Oil festival in June.
  • Deliver a minimum of 2 x workshops using external suppliers
  • Contribute to 2 x My Smart Garden collaboration meetings in August and October
  • Contribute to the My Smart Garden Strategy Day in November

Community Food Hub project

  • Manage the funding and service agreement with Open Food Network (OFN) to auspice the Community Food Hub project.
  • Provide support to the Community Food Hub coordinator.
  • Attend monthly Food Leadership Action Group (FLAG) meeting. Coordinate quarterly in-person meeting with FLAG and OFN

Coordinate a cross – council project team to review and update the Communal Food Gardening Guidelines

 Merri-bek Local Food System and Food Relief Networks

  • Compile and distribute out monthly Local Food Network enewletters.
  • Hold a Local Food Forum & networking event (August or September 2024)
  • Manage the funding and service agreement with CIS Merri-bek to coordinate the Merri-bek Food and Material Relief Network

External advocacy / research projects

  • Participate in Sustain Australia Local Government network forums (quarterly)
  • Participate in International FLOW research project.
  • University of Melbourne Foodprint research project – participate in 2 x stakeholder workshops (July, November)

What this role can offer

  • The opportunity to work alongside a professional and supportive executive team
  • Salary sacrifice options

  • Extensive opportunities for training and career development

  • Wellness programs

For further information please contact Nalika Peiris on 9240 2364.

Applications close: 11:30pm, Wednesday 8 May 2024.

Before submitting an application please view the Position Description.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid WWCC. 
Please have this ready when completing your application.

How to apply

If you are interested in the EOI position, please attach your resume (cover letter is not required) apply via the Scout application link MOR880 and responding to the preliminary questions.

Our Commitment

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.

 

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Privacy Acknowledgment

Merri­-bek City Council's recruitment system, medical, police check, reference checking and onboarding processes are hosted by external service providers who also recognise the importance of privacy. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge that your personal information will be hosted by these external service providers unless you request us not to do so.

Personal and or health information collected by Council is used for municipal purposes as specified in the Local Government Act 2020. The personal and or health information will be used by Council for these purposes and or related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if authorised or required by legislation. The applicant understands that the personal and or health information provided is for the above purpose and that they may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information.

Requests for access and or correction should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer via telephone on 9240 1111 or e-mail at Privacyofficer@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

Please note that the information provided as part of your application will not be accessed by anyone other than the People and Safety Branch and the hiring manager.

Acknowledgement

By submitting this application, I declare that to the best of my knowledge, the information supplied in this application (including accompanying documents) are true and correct. I understand that if any false or deliberately misleading information is given, or any relevant material withheld, my application will not be progressed, or if I am employed, my employment may be terminated at the discretion of Council. I further understand that any offer of employment is subject to all the pre-employment checks appropriate to the role being completed to the satisfaction of the Council.

Consent to Contact Referees

I understand that a representative of Merri-bek will contact me to gain my permission to contact any listed referee's before conducting a reference.

Important information

Preliminary Health Declaration

All applicants are required to complete a Preliminary Health Declaration as part of the application process. Merri-bek City Council advises that failure to disclose any pre-existing or past relevant physical restrictions, injury or condition, suffered by you which may affect your ability to fulfil inherent requirements of the position(s) applied for may result in you being disentitled to claim compensation. This is in accordance with the current Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act in respect of any further injury or illness, recurrence, exacerbation or aggravation of this injury, disease or condition.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Council requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide evidence of this as part of this application.  Please note: If you are short listed for an interview, you will be required to present your vaccination certificate for sighting.

Working With Children Checks

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and providing environments that are safe for children and young people. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and harm. If the role you are applying for requires a Working with Children Check, you will be required to upload a copy of this document as part of your application.

Qualifications/Licences

Evidence of relevant qualifications and/or licences as required for the position you are applying for will need to be uploaded as part of your application.


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