• Part Time, maximum term (19 Hours a week) for 3 years
• Flexible Hours based on project needs
• Brand new role as part of Vic Health’s Local Food Partnership
• Salary: $99k - $108k (pro rata) + Super

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

This is an exciting role building on the work undertaken over several years in addressing food security.

If you enjoy working in partnership with community orgainsations, implementing innovative solutions to wicked problems for greater community benefit, this role is for you. Come and be a part of a dynamic project funded by Vic Health’s Local Partnerships for Food First. This project is on of the 9-project funded across Victoria.

This role is part of the Community Development and Social Policy team, and you will work with our project partners – Merri Food Hub, Open Table, Fawkner Food Bowls and Growing Farmers.

This role will facilitate the following:

• building the capacity and strengthening strategic and operational links between Alliance partners.
• expand the reach and effectiveness of existing food security programs between Alliance partners.
• design and implement targeted community engagement activities to understand and address the needs of food insecure communities in the north of Merri-bek.

Skills and experience require to perform the role

Demonstrated knowledge of food system issues e.g. sustainable food models, food insecurity and local food growing.

• Knowledge of Merri-bek’s diverse communities and community food sector
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing community food enterprise service delivery systems, logistics and operations.
• Experience in successfully implementing community programs and projects (including time and budget management, problem solving and evaluation) involving diverse stakeholders and participants.
• Strong skills in c
• Communicating and engaging with diverse groups of people, (including designing and delivering targeted engagement programs) developing and managing stakeholder relationships and negotiating complex issues.
• Proven strategic and analytical capabilities, including experience in strategy, research and program development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the capacity to prepare a wide range of material to reach and engage different target audiences.

What the role can offer

• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff -

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact

Nalika Peiris, Unit Manager Community Development and Social Policy on 9240 2364 or [email protected]

Applications close: 11:30pm, Friday, 10 October 2025.

Before submitting an application please view the Position Description.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid Driver's Licence and WWCC. Please have this ready when completing your application.

How to apply

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience. Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on [email protected]

Our Commitment

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.