IEA Afghan Employment Coach in Salisbury

The Australian Refugee Association Inc. (ARA) is a community-based organisation providing settlement, migration, and other appropriate assistance to people from a refugee background, migrants, and other vulnerable people of concern. ARA promotes a holistic approach to the needs of people from a refugee background and sees the final goal of settlement as full participation in the social, economic, cultural, and political life of Australia while maintaining security of personal, family and community identity.

ABOUT THE ROLE: ARA’s Inclusive Employment Australia Service helps people from refugee backgrounds with a disability, injury or health condition to become active participants in Australia’s workforce. The IEA Employment Coach is a people‑first role: you build trust, reduce barriers, and partner with participants, families and employers so people with disability, injury or a health condition can find, start and keep open employment. The IEA Afghan Employment Coach will primarily support individuals from the Afghan community. Therefore, fluency in Afghan languages commonly spoken in Adelaide is essential for this role. The role blends culturally responsive employment mentoring and case management with strong administration and compliance, delivered in line with the Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) Guidelines and ARA’s policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete thorough intake and needs assessment; confirm program eligibility and gather required documentation.
• Provide respectful, trauma‑informed employment coaching that centres each participant’s goals, strengths, culture and support networks.
• Work collaboratively with families, community leaders and support services to remove barriers and support wellbeing, safety and stability of clients.
• Co‑design, implement and adjust practical individualised Job Plans that set an employment goal, relevant participation, and realistic steps towards work.
• Provide tailored pre‑employment assistance: vocational counselling, employability skills, resumes and applications, interview practice and digital capability.
• Identify and connect clients to suitable education, training and other activities that build skills and confidence; ensure risks are assessed and managed.
• Secure suitable employment placements and provide structured Post Placement Support to participants and employers.
• Prepare simple, clear reports; meet timeframes for claims and payments; support audits and continuous improvement.

Skills And Experiences

QUALIFICATION: A relevant qualification such as Certificate IV in Employment Services, Certificate III in Disability Services, Community Services, Human Resources or similar is highly desirable, or equivalent gained through experience in recruitment, employment, working with people with a disability or community services.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Fluency in Afghan languages commonly spoken in Adelaide is essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with individuals from a refugee background.
• Cultural capability and trauma-informed practice, including working effectively with interpreters and adapting information for different literacy and digital capabilities.
• Ability to create inclusive partnerships with employers and collaborate with other organisations.
• Proficient in managing employment services coaching including case noting, record-keeping, and maintaining data in a client management system.
• Digital proficiency: confident use of common IT tools and platforms.
• Knowledge of disability employment services is an advantage.
• Experience working with people from a refugee background, ideally including experience supporting people with a disability secure employment.

This position is offered as a full-time role (1.0 EFT) at SCHADS Level 3.1–3.3, with commencement level to be determined in accordance with qualifications and relevant experience.

Why work for ARA?

ARA's employees love the sense of belonging from being part of a welcoming and caring team with a strong sense of purpose. ARA doesn't just list its values on posters, but lives by them: We Care; We Are Courageous; and We Are Community. We have a highly diverse workforce of over 90 people, working from modern facilities in the northern suburbs of Adelaide across three sites in Salisbury, with outreach services in the south, east and west of Adelaide. The diversity of the team covers many cultures, ethnicities, religions, and languages to create a truly multicultural workplace with most staff bringing lived experience of being a refugee or recently arrived migrant. We celebrate our diversity because it lies at the heart of our mission: building inclusive, welcoming communities where people from all backgrounds especially refugees and migrants can thrive. In addition to industry standard salaries ARA offers employees generous salary packaging opportunities as a not-for-profit PBI (salary sacrifice), flexible working arrangements, support with ongoing personal and professional development, and cultural leave in support of religious and cultural observances.

How To Apply

Applications can be lodged by clicking on the "Apply" button below. Please provide a cover letter addressing the position description, along with your resume. A copy of the Position Description can be downloaded from ARA's career's portal on ARA's website: www.australianrefugee.org/get-involved/joinourteam/ All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. ARA is committed to equal employment opportunity. Individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.