Position Context: 
Red Cross is a humanitarian organisation dedicated to helping people in crisis.  The International Tracing, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Services (ITRASS) department of Red Cross has a range of services dedicated to helping vulnerable members of our community. 

Through the Immigration Detention Program, the Department has one worker operating three days per week, providing support and assistance to detainees and furthering the humanitarian work of Red Cross in the Maribyrnong IDC.  This worker attends the centre every Wednesday for an entire day, to assist with Red Cross messages and tracing, social and emotional support, and the delivery of Material Aid.  Material Aid is provided upon request from individual detainees, and often comes in the form of toiletries, stationery and phone cards and is intended to enhance the wellbeing of detainees.  As part of its agreement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Red Cross will coordinate volunteer programs that can benefit detainees.  One such program is the sewing program.

Principal Responsibilities of the Role:

1. To facilitate a sewing group and related activities class for participants in the immigration detention facility.
2. Preparation for the session each week.
3. Follow-up and clean-up after the session each week.
4. Ensure that adequate safety standards are met, including observation of Centre security requirements.
5. Liaise with the Red Cross detention worker on a regular basis regarding the sessions.
6. Liaise with the relevant staff at the facility for the acquisition of materials.
7. Relate any issues of concern to the Red Cross detention worker.
8. To sign and observe “Australian Red Cross Code of Conduct for Representatives Working in Immigration Detention Facilities”.

Specific Requirements:

1. Skills in all aspects of garment making.
2. Ability to work independently.
3. Capacity to be organised and efficient.
4. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work with adults in the capacity as an instructor and with people from a variety of language and cultural backgrounds.
5. Non-judgemental approach to the situation of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Australia.
6. Commitment to work within and support the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross movement, including Neutrality and Impartiality.
7. Commitment to a high standard of professional work, which includes the provision of services which are confidential, and the development of appropriate relationships with the department’s client group.

Hours: One half day per week (up to 5 hours including preparation)

For more information contact Gavin Halge or by phone on 8327 7830.