Community Outreach Worker

ABOUT North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre (NWMNC)

North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre (NWMNC) is a Neighbourhood House based in Errol Street, North Melbourne.

NWMNC is a Neighbourhood House and Learn Local organisation that addresses disadvantage and provides support, community development and educational opportunities. Our aim is to enrich community life for the people and organisations of North Melbourne (3051) and West Melbourne (3003) to achieve equitable, engaged, connected and inclusive communities.

Our programs are built around the principles of Progression, Connection and Expression.

NWMNC currently delivers a range of social and wellbeing programs including: After school homework clubs, Socially Inclusive Musical Theatre, Being a Melburnian program linking international students and seniors, creative arts, food & social connection programs, Pilates, community choir, language and conversation, digital literacy, Queensberry Cup billycart race and street festival, Public Housing Multicultural Eid Festival, North & West Melbourne News (quarterly community newspaper), podcasting program, advocacy programs and local network co-ordination.

ABOUT THE ROLE

North Melbourne is home to a significant community of African and Islamic Australians, many living in public housing, who face real barriers to feeling connected and supported. Trust is built through people - which is why we need someone who can be a bridge between NWMNC and these residents.

This isn't a desk job, it is relationship-building, community connecting, and storytelling, all rolled into one. You will work closely with our Community Development Coordinator, drawing on your own networks and cultural understanding to help shape how NWMNC shows up for these communities. The role provides hands-on experience across key programs, community consultations, and outreach initiatives, helping identify community needs and enhancing the wellbeing of this cohort.

You'll be involved in:

• Building and strengthening networks within the local African and Islamic communities
• Growing NWMNC's accredited courses to support employability and skill development
• Researching and developing storytelling opportunities via podcasts and the North & West Melbourne News
• Promoting NWMNC's programs, events and publications, including through translation
• Helping organise the Public Housing Multicultural Eid Festival in March 2027

ABOUT YOU

You are known in your community. You do not need years of formal community development experience or qualifications in this area, what matters most is that you are already trusted, already connected, you care deeply about the wellbeing of African and Islamic Australians in North and West Melbourne, and you are ready to turn that passion into a role that creates real impact.

Essential

• Fluent in Arabic and/or a Horn of Africa community language
• Strong, established networks within the African and/or Islamic communities local to North and West Melbourne (or adjoining suburbs like Kensington and Flemington)
• Genuine passion for supporting African and Islamic Australians to thrive, and more broadly, for community engagement, social justice and advocacy
• Understanding of the common aspirations and challenges faced by Horn of Africa and Islamic communities in Melbourne, particularly those living in public or social housing
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Competent oral and written communication skills in English
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations
• Willingness to obtain a Working with Children Check and Police Check (NWMNC can support you with this)

Desirable

• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work independently when needed
• Established social media or marketing connections with good reach within the local African and Islamic communities
• Confidence using everyday digital tools (email, online forms, basic office software) to support outreach and documentation

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Access to personal and professional development through NWMNC's Learn Local ACFE programs, as well as external workshops facilitated by Network West and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
• Flexible scheduling  - your specific hours are negotiated around your work, study or family commitments
• The opportunity to build your own professional networks through NWMNC's established relationships with community organisations and local government
• Support with obtaining your Working with Children Check and Police Check
• The chance to make a genuine, visible impact in a community you're already connected to - including hands-on involvement in events like the Queensberry Cup and Public Housing Multicultural Eid Festival

A position description is attached.