Job: lecture series co-ordinator

The Lecture Series for Asylum Seekers is an initiative of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and Researchers for Asylum Seekers. The aim of the lecture series is to welcome and introduce refugees and asylum seekers to the campus, staff and students of the University of Melbourne.

The series ran successfully in 2014 and 2015. 

The lectures provide an introduction to Australian society and touch on issues in modern and historical Australia, such as immigration, education, human rights, health equity and Indigenous cultures. It aims to introduce participants to the kind of teaching and research available at the University in acknowledgement that prohibitive visa conditions and lack of access to fee help, among other things, can prevent asylum seekers from accessing tertiary education. It recognises that people seeking asylum may be highly educated and may have previously held senior professional roles in their countries of origin, and that this aspect of their identity is often subsumed by the experiences of forced migration. It aims to provide a different type of opportunity from what is offered by other agencies and organisations, such as English classes and practical workshops.

Position Summary

The project team is seeking applications from suitable candidates to co-ordinate the lecture series, this year entitled ‘Understanding Australia: History, Culture and Society’. The series will consist of six lectures plus an induction session and celebratory event at the conclusion of the lecture series. The lectures will be held on Monday evenings during September-November 2016. Each lecture will feature presentations from two academic staff members, followed by a short refreshment break and small group discussions facilitated by student volunteers.

There is a significant amount of preparation and coordination required. The role will involve half a day per week from July to September and one day per week for eight weeks during the series (September-November).  

This is a flexible position, however, the successful applicant will be required to attend all of the lectures.

Selection Criteria

• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to work with little supervision and in a proactive manner.

Key Responsibilities

This role will involve:

• Arranging meetings of the organisational group, including taking minutes/actions and following up, as required;
• Approaching staff members identified by the organisational group with an invitation and information package, and negotiating and confirming lecture dates;
• Arranging for information to be translated into target community languages and circulated to relevant agencies, organisations and locations;
• Forging and maintaining relationships with partner organisations;
• Inviting key post-graduate student groups in the MGSE (for e.g. Teaching English as a Second Language) and the Masters of Public Health to volunteer via email;
• Organising an induction session for staff and student volunteers;
• Organising for student volunteers to visit partner organisations to promote the series face-to-face;
• Organising food and beverages;
• Co-ordinating staff and volunteers on lecture days;
• Handling registration and evaluation information; and
• Organising a celebratory event.

Pay rate

This position is at Research Assistant Grade 1 and will be paid $39.49 per hour.

How to Apply

Please email your resume with a covering letter to the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at social-equity@unimelb.edu.au by Sunday 10th July 2016.