• Are you a relationship-focused professional who listens and leads with compassion, discretion and sound decision making?
• Do you thrive in a team by building relationships to reach common goals?
• Do you feel confident supporting people through change and sensitive moments, while maintaining clear and respectful boundaries?

This is a unique opportunity with the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (Institute), to play a meaningful role at the heart of a close-knit community. As the Community Relationship Coordinator, you will foster and strengthen connections between Sisters in the Southern Region, the Institute Leadership and the Institute’s Professional Services, ensuring each Sister feels heard, supported and connected.

The Role:

Working across the Institute’s Southern Region (Canberra, Albury, Corowa, Goulburn, Young, Griffith and Cootamundra), and primarily based in Phillip, you will support Sisters in living purposeful and connected lives within their local communities.

As a trusted first point of contact, you will facilitate two-way communication between the Sisters, Institute Leadership and, where appropriate, the Institute’s Professional Services teams. Your ability to build genuine relationships, understand individual circumstances and respond with care and professionalism will be central to your success.

Key Responsibilities:

This role is centred on building trusted relationships and ensuring every Sister feels supported, informed and connected.

You will:

• Develop and nurture respectful, trusting relationships with Sisters across the Southern Region.
• Take a thoughtful, person-centred approach to understanding individual circumstances and changing needs.
• Provide compassionate guidance and proactively connect Sisters with the appropriate support services at the right time.
• Coordinate opportunities for Sisters to gather for meetings, prayer, conversation and community connection.
• Assist in organising significant local events and celebrations, including jubilees and funerals.
• Ensure important information, decisions and communications from the Institute are shared effectively with Sisters within the region.
• Work collaboratively with the Institute’s Professional Services teams, Community Support Assistant and Wellbeing and Health personnel to ensure coordinated and responsive support.
• Promote and uphold safeguarding principles, ensuring Sisters are supported within a safe, respectful and caring environment.

Travel throughout the region will form part of the role to visit Sisters and attend Institute meetings and community gatherings.

This is a part-time, 12 month maximum term contract working 20 hours per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

About You:

You are a relationship-focused professional who is approachable, compassionate and respectful. You are comfortable working independently while collaborating with a range of stakeholders, and you have the experience to navigate sensitive conversations with empathy and discretion.

You will ideally bring:

• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining trusted relationships within community, aged care, social or other people-focused environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently in both individual and group settings.
• The ability to respond to sensitive situations with sound judgement, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• A genuine commitment to supporting older people to live with dignity, independence and purpose.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work proactively.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills together with sound computer literacy.

The Organisation:

The Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (‘the Institute’) is a Religious Institute of Catholic women who advance the reign of God by engaging in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

As women of mercy inspired by the gospel and their foundress, Catherine McAuley, their mission is to live hospitality, compassion and justice.

Next Steps:

For further information or to request a copy of the Position Description, please contact Vivian Meloni at Complete Recruitment Matters on 0438 001 840 or simply email your cover letter and resume for consideration to [email protected]

The Institute is committed to creating a culture of safety and respect for all, including prioritising the safety and best interests of all children and vulnerable adults with whom we have contact.

All staff are expected to take all reasonable steps to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults and to comply with our safeguarding policies and procedures, including responding to and reporting all suspicions and allegations of abuse.

Please note: This position does not have a set closing date. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place at any time. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.