AAFRO Circle Community Cultural Connector Role-headspace
Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity – Dandenong VIC
The Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO) exists primarily to build a bridge between children, young people, and families of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, especially those of African descent, and the wider Australian community.
Our Vision
All children, young people, and families have access to the opportunities they need to thrive independently and achieve their full potential.
Our Mission
To promote social justice by becoming a trusted hub for children, young people, and family services, providing specialist support and leadership to ensure African and multicultural communities feel trusted, welcomed, and understood.
AAFRO Values
Safety: We create safety
Culture: We are cultural champions
Empathy: We act with empathy and understanding
Transparency: We tell you what we can and can’t do
Advocacy: We advocate for those we work with and the community
Child Safety
AAFRO is a child-safe organisation, and we have zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and neglect towards all children and young people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, culturally and linguistically diverse children, and children with disabilities. Our organisation is committed to
enjoy their cultural rights.
About headspace
headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health and wellbeing services to young people aged 12-25.
Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through headspace centres in communities across Australia, online and phone counselling services, vocational services, and a presence in schools. headspace helps young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
The headspace Multicultural Practice Team aims to:
Build a culturally responsive workplace to better support multicultural staff, young people and their families and communities.
Strengthen the skills and capacity of the headspace centre workforce to meet the needs of multicultural young people, their families and communities.
AAFRO Model of Care
The AAFRO Model of Care is grounded in community restorative and healing practices, drawing from a variety of traditional justice systems that emphasise collectivism over individualism. These include Indigenous justice circles, the African philosophy of Ubuntu, and contemporary restorative justice approaches. Moreover, AAFRO’s Model of Care philosophy is built on the principles of shared humanity and traditional moral values such as respect, integrity, togetherness, compassion, fairness, and dignity. This Model of Care is used in programs that are designed to address community-wide issues such as early intervention for children and young people, education support, family engagement, unemployment, crime prevention, community safety, wellbeing, social justice and cultural training. It works with individuals and groups to help them reach their full potential while remaining connected to their community, including taking full responsibility for their actions. It supports the restoration of family relationships, assists incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into their communities, promotes women’s empowerment and fosters community harmony.
Role Overview
The AAFRO Circle Community Cultural Connector role is a unique interlink position jointly embedded within the Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO) and headspace National. The role is designed to help bridge the gap between African Australian communities and headspace services. It will strengthen cultural understanding of the needs of young Africans and their families who require mental health and wellbeing support.
Working closely with two headspace centers in ( Dandenong & Melton) , the role will work at the intersection of community and services, supporting young people and families to engage meaningfully with mental health and wellbeing services in ways that are culturally reflective and informed.
A key function of the role is to actively contribute to building strong, sustainable relationships among services, community members, and individuals who directly engage with young people from African backgrounds through culturally responsive methods using the AAFRO framework and ways of working.
The position will be employed and managed by AAFRO and will report to AAFRO Managers for employment matters, cultural governance, professional development, performance and alignment with AAFRO’s values and community frameworks. The position will also report to the headspace National Manager of Clinical Practice - Multicultural & Family Inclusion for coordination of its work within headspace.
The headspace National Manager will coordinate tasks and priorities in collaboration with senior headspace centre staff. Senior centre staff will provide day-to-day operational supervision and support the position to meet local centre operational requirements. These arrangements do not replace AAFRO’s responsibility for employment management and cultural governance.
The role will work closely with AAFRO Managers to support embedding a cultural way of working with African young people, families, and the wider community within the headspace setting. This will help to strengthen service accessibility, trust, and outcomes for African young people and families.
Key Responsibilities
Act as a key representative and link between African Australian young people, families, and communities, AAFRO, and headspace
Engage and provide support for young people and families accessing mental health services using the AAFRO Model of Care and a culturally responsive way of working with African Australians.
Provide cultural support to headspace Clinicians and staff when needed.
Strengthen relationships between the African Australian community and headspace mental health services and enhance cultural safety and inclusion practices at headspace.
Actively build partnerships with other service providers and stakeholders.
Conduct outreach and group activities, and promote headspace programs to families, young people, and the wider community.
At the end of the pilot, prepare and present key insights and learnings, with support from AAFRO and headspace National, to inform recommendations in ways to strengthen engagement with African young people and family, arising from the pilot.
Management & Reporting
Employed and line managed by AAFRO, with reporting to AAFRO Managers for employment matters, professional development and performance.
Reports to the headspace National Manager of Clinical Practice - Multicultural & Family Inclusion for coordination of headspace tasks and priorities, in collaboration with senior centre staff.
Reports to senior headspace centre staff for day-to-day operational supervision and local centre operational requirements.
AAFRO retains responsibility for cultural governance and alignment with its values and community frameworks. headspace coordination and operational supervision do not replace AAFRO’s employment management responsibilities.
About You
Strong understanding of African Australian communities and the barriers they face when accessing mental health and counselling support services.
Have professional experience in mental health (e.g. counselling, youth work, family support or a related field).
Strong community engagement skills and ability to conduct group activity sessions with young people and families.
Ability to create and build safe spaces that are culturally responsive to all African Australian young people and their families
Be able to provide cultural support to staff and volunteers when needed.
Have a good understanding of therapeutic approaches when engaging with vulnerable African Australian young people and their families.
Commitment to culturally responsive and trauma-informed practice.
Be able to work independently and professionally when representing the partnership between AAFRO and headspace.
Have strong written and spoken communication skills in the English language, including a high level of case note recording skills.
Be able to prepare and present written updates or reports to leadership when needed.
Be flexible in the role, especially when adjustments are made or needed to meet the needs of participants or clients, AAFRO and headspace.
Be a collaborative team member.
Qualifications & Experience
A tertiary qualification in social work, community services, mental health, psychology, youth and family services, or a related discipline.
Experience in providing culturally appropriate wellbeing support.
Experience in and knowledge of developing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders and consultants.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with both clinical and non-clinical professionals.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a productive team member.
Understanding of, or experience working with, CALD communities, especially those of African Australian background.
Experience in the not-for-profit and/or public health sector.
Knowledge and understanding of current health/mental health policy issues in Australia, including their impact on service system reform and the establishment of integrated and coordinated service delivery.
Mandatory Requirements:
Current National Police Check—agree to AAFRO and headspace conducting a National Police Check through the Australian National Character Check (ANCC).
Working with Children Check.
Valid driver’s License.
Work Right
You are required to have the right to work in Australia to be considered for this role.
What We Offer
- Salary packaging of up to $15,000 per financial year.
- An opportunity to work across AAFRO and headspace National.
- The opportunity to contribute to strengthening culturally safe and inclusive mental health and wellbeing services for African Australian young people and families.
- The opportunity to work within AAFRO's community-led Model of Care and restorative practice framework.
Jiress Musafiri (General Manager)
Tel: 1300 022 ***
Email: ****@aafro.com.au
#J-18808-Ljbffr
AAFRO Circle Community Cultural Connector Role-headspace employer: Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity
The Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the communities they serve. Located in Sunshine, VIC, AAFRO fosters a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth through training and collaboration with dedicated partners and volunteers. Employees benefit from a strong commitment to culturally sensitive practices and a focus on community restorative approaches, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, young people, and families.
Contact Details:
Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity Recruitment Team
