Organisation: Salvation Army, Alice Springs
Job Title: Hostel Manager (Full Time)
Word Limit: 5 -6 pages as a guide
Location: Alice Springs
Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations and The Salvation Army policies and
procedures
Having worked and undertaken formal learning within the community services, children’s services
and social justice areas, I have a strong working knowledge of relevant legislation, including human services, family law and children’s services legislation and guidelines. In addition, my
experience in working with the Salvation Army as a Welfare Worker has given me a good
understanding of the policies and procedures of the organisation, and the values and ethos of
working within it.
I particularly resonate with the core values of passion, compassion, bravery, uplifting spirit and
trustworthiness, and would like to think that I hold these values as well. My work as a Welfare
Worker for the Salvation Army in Doveton, Victoria, gave me an opportunity to assist people in
need through an emergency relief program, and also demonstrated my skills and willingness to
show compassion and to do my best in uplifting people’s spirit through my work.
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of key issues pertaining to homelessness, equal
opportunity and social justice principles
In addition to my work in Africa with homeless women as the victims of domestic and family
violence, I performed a 9 week placement during my coursework with the African Communities
Foundation (Youth Homelessness Area), which significantly developed my skills within the
Australian context. My understanding of this issue revolves around social inclusion, safety and
well-being, evidence-based policy requirements, mental health and around the benefits of a client
centred approach and equal opportunity. Essentially, homelessness is not only about housing and
its affordability, although this can have an impact.
My formal learning and experience around social justice principles have taught me that social
justice is a complex term relating to equality, fairness, right and wrong, as well as the idea of
ensuring a balance is maintained between different and diverse groups of people within society
and our community. Social justice enables us to live in harmony and peace where all groups are
equal, and have rights and responsibilities.
Ability to manage and maintain Hostel property and leased properties
During my role as Manager of the Gender and Women’s Refuge in Kenya, I was responsible for the
care and monitoring of women within the hostel, but also the management of property and
facilities of the refuge. Funded by the United Nations, I was responsible for reporting to the UN
around the facilities and the help and assistance we were able to provide our tenants. I am well
able to delegate responsibility to staff members when maintenance is required, and can clearly
communicate my needs in this regard.
I have exceptional problem solving skills, and on many occasions within this role was able to fix an
issue or problem with the Hostel facilities on my own during the night when there was no
assistance at hand.
Demonstrates knowledge of accommodation, mental health and social welfare services and
practice
As the Managing Director and founder of the Baai Bor Women’s Welfare Foundation, I have
demonstrated my skills in and understanding of issues around mental health and provision of
social welfare services. This has been demonstrated in the development of programs within this
foundation around supporting women, providing programs to combat depression through
encouraging women to socialise outside of their home, and connecting them to appropriate
services to their benefit.
I have a strong understanding of the types of welfare services available in Australia and in the Alice
Springs area, and have proven experience in finding the resources to assist people in need. During
my placement at the Salvation Army Welfare Services in Cranbourne, Victoria, I was required to
provide services to a number of mental health sufferers. This interaction with some of the most
common mental health disorders has given me a good insight into a range of conditions and how
to best deal with people who are afflicted.
Understanding of public housing and tenancy regulations and rights and responsibilities of
tenants
As a former tenant in public housing when I first immigrated into Australia, I am very much aware
and fully understand the regulations governing public housing, as well as having a good
understanding of the system from a user viewpoint. Due to this experience, I have a great deal of
empathy for public housing recipients, as well as the ability to build good rapport due to my
experiences.
As a Welfare Worker within the Salvation Army Support Services in Doveton, Victoria, I was often
required to visit tenants in public housing for a range of reasons. I was always able to build a
rapport with tenants, and often had to advise them of both their rights and the responsibilities of
living there. Often tenants were unaware of their rights in public housing and were so grateful to
be housed somewhere that they put up with situations they didn’t need to put up with. They were
afraid of asking for something to be fixed for fear of having their housing benefits taken away from
them. I was able to reassure them that they had a right to live in a secure place and to ask for help
when necessary.
Knowledge of management and strategic planning principles
As the Managing Director of the Baai Bor Women’s Welfare Foundation, I used my strategic
planning and implementation skills to lead the organisation and provide strategic assistance to
women in need. Our main strategy was to assist African women who were victims of family and
domestic violence, and often this required a large amount of practical strategy to get them out of
their homes and away from the violence. I was intrinsically involved in the annual planning for the
organisation, and led planning meetings and documentation in this regard.
I have demonstrated my skills in people management during my role at Team Leader for Bright
Kids Family Day Care Pty Ltd. This role included leading a team of 10 Family Day Care Educators in
their roles, and supervising and managing their performance over time. I was successful in this role
and assisted to provide a high quality and well-respected service to families.
Demonstrated knowledge of budgeting process and practices, work within budget constraints
and prepare financial records
During my leadership role in the running of the Baai Bor Women’s Welfare Foundation, I was the
Public Officer as well as responsible for the financial responsibilities of the organisation. I
maintained the budget and expenditure records for the organisation, as well as the annual
reporting requirements to the Consumer Affairs Department. At the conclusion of the
organisation, due to the Government ending emigration from the area, there were considerable
funds remaining which we donated to the building of an African school for girls. This responsible
custodianship clearly demonstrates my experience in fiscal management and successful outcomes
in this regard.
Demonstrates experience in administrative and financial management at direct service level
Working as a Welfare Worker for the Salvation Army Support Service in Doveton, I gained
experience in providing support at a direct service level, providing welfare services to families in
need across the region. This support included meeting with families and being empathetic towards
their situation, whilst also assessing them for eligibility for food vouchers and similar practical
assistance.
The best example of my ability to facilitate administrative and financial management is through
my Managing Directorship of the Baai Bor Women’s Welfare Foundation. Within the
administration of the organisation, one of my tasks was to carefully monitor the financial
management, as well as comply with government legislation and guidelines. I was responsible for
submitting all paperwork required by law, and was able to successfully wind up the organisation
with a surplus to donate to Africa.
Ability to monitor resident and tenant behaviour and support and enforce Hostel policies and
procedures
During my role as Manager at a women’s refuge in Kenya, I was responsible to monitor the
residents and their behaviour towards one another and themselves. I was intrinsic in the
procedures implemented around behaviour management, and dealt with residents with a firm but
fair mentality. During this role I was able to communicate and insist on respect for other residents
in a broad range of areas, including personal space, privacy and common courtesy. This expanded
into showing respect for staff members and myself. One of the best ways to garner this kind of
respect was to in turn treat people with dignity and compassion.
I have no problem in enforcing policies and procedures when I need to, however would always try
to approach the situation with compassion and understanding first and foremost.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant Laws and Legislation including Occupational Health
and Safety, privacy and discrimination
Through my roles in family day care and welfare, I have developed my skills and understanding of
occupational health and safety as it applies within Australia. This became especially important in
my Team Leader role with Bright Kids Family Day Care, where it was my responsibility to ensure
educators were providing a safe and secure environment for children. I worked closely with the Manager and staff to ensure everyone was aware of the current regulations and followed them at
all times.
I have come across a range of situations where I and others have been subjected to racial
discrimination. When I am in a position of authority, I have often said to others that it is not the
colour of their skin that has brought them to this point, it is their behaviour. I have a strong
working understanding of anti-discrimination legislation and consider myself a fair and equitable
person. Privacy laws are very important in this industry, and I have ensured that family day care
workers ensure they don’t give out any information to parents about other people’s children. The
same applies in a hostel setting when dealing with adults.
Effective report writing and computer skills including Word, Excel, Lotus Notes and the Internet
As the Managing Director of the Baai Bor Women’s Welfare Foundation, there were reporting
requirements to a number of authorities, including government, which I was responsible for. In
addition, I have written numerous reports, papers, assignments and essays during my formal
university studies, as outlined within my attached resume.
I am proficient in the use of Microsoft Word for word processing and Excel for spreadsheets. I use
the internet to perform internet research at a number of levels, and whilst I have not used the
Lotus Notes program, I am familiar with a range of email programs and am confident in my ability
to pick up these skills effectively.
Capability to keep the Alice Springs Corps Officer and RHQ informed on relevant service matters
Within my role as Team Leader for Bright Kids Family Day Care, I was required to ensure my
Manager was informed if there were any issues or problems at the time. This kind of internal
information is an important part of keeping communication channels open, and demonstrates my
ability to ensure all of the relevant stakeholders are kept informed.
As Gender and Women’s Refuge Manager in Kenya, my role required reporting to the United
Nations on issues facing women and children in the community based on my experiences and
expertise. In addition, I would liaise with community leaders around child safety and
developmental issues and report again back to the United Nations.
Willingness to participate in line management and professional supervision
As Team Leader with Bright Kids Family Day Care, my role included leading a team of ten Family
Day Care Educators, supervising them to provide for the children under their care. This
professional supervisory role required careful monitoring and ensuring any issues were dealt with
quickly and effectively. I am able to work both independently and am able to take direction from
those more senior. I have worked in both of these situations in my previous roles with no
outstanding issues.
I maintain a management style that gives responsibility to others and expects accountability in
return. I am more than willing to give staff the opportunities to achieve their own successes.
