Community Welfare Work jobs in Melbourne VIC

At North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) we are proud to deliver courageous health and community services that collaboratively address health inequity. We nurture a workforce that is passionate and diverse, with shared values and a strong commitment to making positive health impacts within the heart of North Richmond. With access to a variety of flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing activities and a rich learning environment, our team members are consistently able to deepen their expertise by being part of impactful and world recognised community health solutions.

Part time | 0.4 FTE | Permanent
SACS Level 4 | North Richmond, VIC

About the role

North Richmond Community Health is looking for an Advocacy and Community Engagement Worker (ACE) to join our Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Program.

Working alongside people who use and inject drugs, you will provide practical support, advocacy, harm reduction information and connections to health and social services. You will build trusted relationships with clients of our Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) and AOD services, helping people navigate barriers to care and ensuring their voices and experiences are represented.

The role also supports engagement across the NRCH grounds and surrounding areas, working closely with our MSIR, Needle and Syringe Program, outreach, overdose response and security teams to promote safety, reduce harm and support positive engagement with the broader North Richmond community.

A key part of the role will be coordinating consumer engagement opportunities, including the MSIR/AOD Consumer Advisory Group, and developing activities and health promotion initiatives with the community.

In this role, you will:

• Build positive, respectful relationships with people who use and inject drugs across the NRCH grounds and surrounding community.

• Provide advocacy and practical support for clients experiencing barriers to services, including representing client perspectives within relevant NRCH forums.

• Provide harm reduction information and support around overdose prevention, safer drug use and access to Take Home Naloxone.

• Coordinate the MSIR/AOD Consumer Advisory Group and support meaningful consumer participation in service development.

• Develop and deliver community engagement activities and health promotion initiatives in partnership with clients, staff and external organisations.

• Work collaboratively with MSIR, NSP, outreach, overdose response and security teams to support safety and de-escalation.

• Connect clients with relevant health, AOD and community services and support referrals where appropriate.

About you

You are someone who can build genuine rapport with people who may have experienced stigma, marginalisation or barriers to accessing healthcare. You understand that effective harm reduction starts with respect, trust and meeting people where they are.

You will bring:

• Qualifications in Health, AOD, Welfare or Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Health or a related discipline.

• Experience engaging and working with people who may present with complex needs or behaviours.

• Strong knowledge of harm reduction, injecting drug use, overdose risk and the health and social issues experienced by people who use drugs.

• Knowledge of health, AOD and community services available to people who use drugs.

• Experience developing or delivering health promotion, education or community engagement activities.

• Strong advocacy, communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

• The ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams while also working confidently and independently.

• A strong commitment to social justice, dignity and reducing stigma and discrimination.

Experience working within an MSIR, AOD service or similar harm reduction environment will be highly regarded.

Why join us?

At NRCH, you’ll be part of a genuinely caring and supportive culture, where people look out for one another and the work you do has a real connection to the community around you.

You’ll enjoy:

• A supportive, values driven culture that embraces diversity and inclusion

• Generous salary packaging options

• Free on-site car parking and a Richmond location close to public transport

• The chance to make a meaningful difference within a respected community health organisation

Closing Date: 14 October 2026

For questions about the role, please contact Richard Michell (AOD Manager) Richardm@nrch.com.au

Our commitment to health equity

At NRCH, improving health equity is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that health is shaped by social and structural factors beyond clinical care and we work alongside individuals and communities to address barriers to health and wellbeing.

Inclusion and Belonging

At North Richmond Community Health (NRCH), we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, abilities and experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people of all ages.

Child Safety

NRCH is a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse. We are committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of children and young people. All staff and volunteers share responsibility for promoting and maintaining a child safe environment in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which may include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, evidence of qualifications and registrations, proof of work rights, and evidence of immunisation requirements relevant to the role.