Our Purpose, Vision and Values

Our Purpose:

• We create opportunities for people in our communities to live healthier, more connected lives

Our Vision:

• We strive to be a global leader in health, inclusion and HIV responses for all people in our communities

Our Values:

• COMMUNITY – We are made for and by our community. Lived experience is at the heart of what do and guides our decision-making.
• COLLABORATION – We work meaningfully with, and value the expertise of, our communities, colleagues, partners and allies.
• COMPASSION – We acknowledge the stigma, discrimination and inequality our communities face. We hold these experiences with care and compassion as we conduct our work.
• COURAGE – We strive to be courageous in who we are and the ways we work, constantly evolving, and working with integrity to ensure the best possible outcomes for our communities.
• EQUITY – We recognise that improving health outcomes requires varying levels of investment to help rectify structural inequities. We strive to work with an intersectional lens to champion the needs of our communities, recognising the systems that compound diverse and overlapping circumstances.

Team Leader, Client Services (Hunter)

What’s ACON’s Peer and Client Services?

• The Peer and Client Services division works alongside LGBTQ+ people to support their health and wellbeing through one-on-one or group interventions. Our community-led service offerings bring together a deep understanding of LGBTQ+ communities and meaningful, tailored support. Whether through peer work, counselling, care coordination or group work we create safe, affirming spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
• We are looking for someone to join our Hunter team and play a vital role in supporting our care coordinators/counsellors.

Ok, so what’s the role?

ACON provides services to people living with (PLHIV), affected by or at risk of HIV, and to sexually and/or gender diverse people in NSW that are aged 18 or over. This position is responsible for:

1. The line supervision and support of ACON’s funded counselling services, and care coordination team to ensure the highest quality counselling support to PLHIV, and to sexuality and gender diverse people.
2. Lead and support team functions related to service quality and performance, including monitoring and reporting on KPIs, contributing to continuous quality improvement initiatives, facilitating team meetings, supporting staff through the Learning & Development framework, and coordinating Professional Development Processes (PDPs) to ensure alignment with clinical standards and organisational goals.
3. Managing a small counselling/care coordination caseload using a short-term, solution-focused counselling approach to clients presenting with a range of mental health needs relating to HIV, gender and sexuality, mental health and substance support as well as ageing and domestic and family violence.

Who are we looking for?

This positions main responsibilities are:

• Plan, schedule, deliver and evaluate ACON’s counselling and care coordination services to achieve established goals and objectives in line with ACON’s Business and Strategic Plans.
• Ensure these services are delivered within ACON’s protocols and policies.
• Provide regular line supervision and de-briefing support (as required) to your team of care coordinator/counsellors.
• Work alongside the Peer Work Team Leaders to case conference high risk or immediate need clients.
• Contribute to regular Peer and Client Service Team Leader meetings to best identify ways of meeting community needs and supporting the sustainability and wellbeing of the overall Hunter Peer and Client Services team.
• Liaise with all teams within Peer and Client Services to ensure referrals and intakes are completed ensuring smooth and efficient allocation of clients to the most appropriate service stream.
• Support care coordinator/counsellors to utilise a range of best practice strategies within ACON’s model of care, including effective care and support strategies for clients living with or impacted by HIV.
• Consult on Counselling and Care Coordination Services policies and procedures as needed.
• Ensure you team collects and records high quality client information in the electronic client record database.
• Actively lead team meetings and participate in broader unit meetings, general staff meetings, quality improvement and professional development strategies.
• Continually enhance networks with primary health care, agencies and external service providers to ensure that all clients are provided with a comprehensive range of options and referrals.
• Provide short-term solutions focused counselling and care coordination to a caseload of between 6-10 clients of PLHIV, and people of diverse sexuality and gender. This includes providing referrals to appropriate external health and community services including specialist counselling, legal and social support.
• Maintain a professional standard of behaviour and the confidentiality of all information pertaining to clients and their families.
• Perform other duties to assist with the work of the unit as requested by the Manager (or designate).

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement and health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.

To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous learning and development opportunities.
• Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.

What’s the remuneration and working details? 

Salary:                 $112,257 per-annum FTE (Gross Salary, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading)

Location:            ACON’s Awabakal / Hunter Office in Newcastle with some flexible working options a possibility (away from the office).

Hours:                Full time, 70 hours per fortnight on a 12 Month fixed term  contract with the possibility of extension.

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of entitlements often above the National Employment Standards (NES) including:

• Salary Packaging up to $35,000 gross up value (i.e., currently up to $15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
• Generous pro-rata leave entitlements – including up to an extra week of paid leave for full time employees to be taken during our Christmas and New Year’s shutdown period.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to a comprehensive counselling service free to employees.

How can I find out more details and apply? 

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Louise Dunne, Regional Operations Manager, via email at ldunne@acon.org.au or (02) 49627700.

Your ONLINE APPLICATION must include:

1. Your completed ACON Employment Application Form with all the details filled in where requested; attaching your:
   1. Cover Letter outlining how the position aligns with your Personal Values and Interests, and how your Skills and Experience meet the Essential Selection Criteria in the Position Description; and
   2. Resume outlining any current and previous employment and training. Be sure to include your Education History and any Formal Qualifications, Major / Minor Study Fields, Honours and Publications, and Work Experience (including Paid Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer work).

DOWNLOAD: POSITION DESCRIPTION

Applications Close: Sunday 02 Nov 2025

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.

How To Apply

How To Apply

1. Download the PDF Position Description in the “How can I find out more details and apply?” section of the vacancy listing you wish to apply for – and ensure you meet the Selection Criteria for the role.
2. Create a Cover Letter (as a PDF or MS Word file) addressing how you meet the Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description. Ensure that you outline how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of the role and how you’d use them to excel in this job, and how the role aligns with your Personal Values and Interests. You should use statements with examples that clearly demonstrate your competency against each of the Selection Criteria.
3. Update your Resume / CV (as a PDF or MS Word file) with the latest information, certifications, and employment history. Ensure that you outline your Current and Previous Employment and Training. Be sure to include your:
   • Name, Contact Details and preferred Pronouns
   • Education History and Major / Minor Study Fields
   • Qualifications achieved, Honours and Publications
   • Paid Work Experience, Internships, and Volunteer work
4. Click the link to the ACON Employment Application Form in the “How can I find out more details and apply?” section of the vacancy listing you wish to apply for, and ensure that you complete all details where requested; including attaching your:
   • Cover Letter
   • Resume

Application Checklist

Application Checklist

Before you submit your application, ensure you have:

• Completed the online ACON Employment Application Form specific to the role you’re applying for – ensuring that all questions have been answered.
• Attached your Cover Letter document within the online form (as a PDF or MS Word file) outlining how you meet each of the Selection Criteria – as outlined in the Position Description.
• Attached your Resume / CV document within the online form (as a PDF or MS Word file) with all your employment and training information, along with your qualifications and certifications.
• Click the “Submit form” button.

Downloads

Downloads

ACON Enterprise Agreement

ACON Impact Strategy 2025-2030

How Does Recruitment Work at ACON?

There are five main steps in the process:

1) Application

ACON receives your application pack. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your documents.

2) Shortlisting

A selection panel of 2-4 qualified persons will review all the applications and offer interviews to those applicants whose applications best address the requirements of the position.

3) Interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be contacted by the Recruiting Manager and invited to an interview. Your interview will take the form of a question-and-answer session. At your interview, you will be met be a panel of current ACON staff members who will have read your application and are eager to learn more about you and how you can apply your skills and experiences to our work. While we understand interviews can be nerve-racking, we aim to make our interview processes as transparent and comfortable as possible. We encourage you to wear what you feel comfortable in and let us know if you require any workplace adjustments. The interview is also an opportunity for you to ask us questions.

4) Offer

The decision to make you an offer is based on your written application, your interview, and successful Referee Checks, Criminal Record Checks, Proof of Vaccination and Working with Children Checks (if applicable).

5) Acceptance and Commencement

Once a start date has been agreed, you will receive a commencement pack from the People and Culture team including your contract and other documents (E.g., ACON Code of Conduct, Tax Declaration, Bank Deposit Form, Superannuation Choice Form, etc.). Once these are returned to the People and Culture team, you are ready to start work on your agreed date.

How long does it take to hear back on my application?

If you submitted your application at acon.org.au you will receive immediate acknowledgement and information regarding the date by which all successful applicants will be notified if they have progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

If you are successful in gaining an interview, the Recruiting Manager will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time for interview. If you are not selected for an interview, you will not receive any further notifications regarding your application for this role. We appreciate the time you took to respond to our advertisement, and for your interest in ACON, and encourage you to apply for future roles that are advertised that fit your skills and experience.