POSITION DESCRIPTION DIRECTOR OF

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS (QUEENSLAND)

I ROLE IDENTIFICATION

Title of Position: Director, Professional Standards (Queensland)

STAT. 0082.002.0060

Responsible to: Liaison Committee as representatives of the Dioceses and Religious Orders of Queensland

Location:

Date:

I ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Brisbane

October 2013

The Director, Professional Standards (Queensland ) (the Director) is appointed by the Lia ison Committee (Professional Standards) on behalf of the Conference of Queensland Bishops and the Catholic Religious Australia (Queensland)

The Director is accountable to the Liaison Committee (Professional Standards) as the representative Committee established and delegated by the Queensland Bishops and the Leaders of Religious Institutes in Queensland for matters of professional standards (the Liaison Committee )

I PURPOSE OF POSITION

To provide strategic direction, leadership and operational planning of the Professional Standards Office.

The responsibility of the Professional Standards Office is to provide; • a focal point for the reduction of risk of abuse by Church personnel

through education and the implementation of the appropriate codes of conduct,

• an easily accessible avenue for all who are involved with the Church to explore and manage those situations which arise when pastoral, professional and personal boundaries are breached,

• a rapid, transparent response to issues involving the protection of children and vulnerable people following a complaint, including, where necessary, reporting to police,

• facilitated management of a complaint process to investigate the substance of the complaint and arrive at appropriate outcomes while at the same time ensuring the perceptions of the complainant and the accused are acknowledged and addressed,

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STAT. 0082.002.0061

• support to Church Authorities when implementing their own guidelines and policies,

• the promotion of best practice to Church Authorities in their management of offenders.

I REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

a. The Director is responsible to the Liaison Committee.

b. The Director will maintain effective working relationships with the Chair and members of the Liaison Committee in all matters of strategic importance relating to the Office.

c. In carrying out his/her responsibilities under ''Towards Healing" (particularly paragraphs 38 10 and 42 .3) the Director although accountable to the Committee is not under the direction of the Committee. In such matters, which address the position of the accused person during and following investigations, the Director makes a professional recommendation to the Church Authority.

I APPOINTED BY

Liaison Committee (Professional Standards) on behalf of the Conference of Queensland Bishops and Catholic Religious Australia (Queensland)

I AUTHORITY

The Director has authority and responsibility to implement strategic directions and policies approved by the Liaison committee

In addition to the principal responsibilities set out in this document the Director has the responsibilities and powers set out in the Towards Healing, Integrity in Ministry, Integrity in the Service of the Church Protocols and procedural handbooks approved by the National Committee of Professional Standards.

I PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Provide effective leadership for the development of professional standards for the personnel of the Catholic Church in Queensland and lead organisational change with a focus on continuous improvement through open and flexible communication strategies.

b. Respond to complaints and ensure that the processes for responding to complaints of church- related abuse as defined in Towards Healing 2010 (and subsequent amendments) are operating effec:::tively.

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c. Provide educational leadership in the area of promoting child safe organisational environments and ensuring Church Authorities are providing appropriate education and training for Church personnel.

d. Promote and facilitate where requested. education and training throughout Queensland in matters of professional standards, child abuse and abuse of vulnerable persons.

e. Interact with the National Committee for Professional Standards and the Professional Standards 0 ffi ce s of the other States and Territories to ensure a consistent approach to the development of professional standards throughout Australia.

f. Prepare and manage the budget of the Office, levy and recover contributions and manage the costs expended in the processing of complaints.

g. Maintain the protocols established with Queensland Police Service for reporting allegations and interact with police and other government bodies responsible for the safety of children and vulnerable people.

h. Promote the scope and purpose of the Integrity in Ministry and Integrity in the Service of the Church documents to church personnel and manage referrals from church authorities with complaints under those protocols as requested.

i. Be responsible for the safe-keeping of all documentation connected with these procedures.

j. Convene and chair meetings of the Queensland Professional Standards Resource Group (QPSRG) as required.

k. Promote good public relations between the church and the media on issues of professional standards.

I. Provide, in consultation with QPSRG as required, formal advice to Bishops and Leaders in regard to complaints received and the application of the policies and procedures.

m. Develop a panel of available contact persons, assessors , accused's support persons, facilitators and reviewers, as defined in Towards Healing.

n. Arrange, as required, for the training and in servicing of contact persons, assessors and others as defined in Towards Healing.:

o. Ensure that the Office complies with all relevant statutory, legal and regulatory requirements.

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STAT. 0082.002.0063

p. Provide authoritative, timely and expert advice to the Liaison committee on matters including strategic direction, policy, program development, management practices, financial and organisational performance.

q. Commit to ongoing personal and professional development by; • undertaking personal and professional development activities and

engaging in performance reviews as required by the Liaison Committee,

• participating in mentoring activities, • modeling the living out of the core values of the Church community in

personal and professional behaviour, • undertaking supervision as required and keeping the Liaison

Committee appraised of compliance with this requirement.

I KEY COMPETENCIES &ATTRIBUTES

Leadership and Ethos • tertiary qualifications and experience relevant to the development

and management of community/social services in a dynamic complex environment,

• a demonstrated understanding of and/or capacity to understand, work within and contribute to a Catholic organisation - guided by Catholic Beliefs and Social Teachings,

• a leadership style which empowers and inspires clergy, religious and lay personnel towards high performance whilst instilling a spirit of friendliness, trust, cooperation and professionalism,

• honesty, integrity and a strong sense of ethics in all decision and actions, resilient, calm and deliberate under conditions of stress.

Relationship Management • ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with

key stakeholders to facilitate the attainment of goals and objectives,

• understanding of Catholic Church, Business, Government and Industry Processes,

• ability to build consensus leading to the acceptance or agreement on ideas and approaches.

Problem Solving and Analysis • ability to understand complex issues, draw conclusions and

articulate clear and focused policy to wide and diverse audiences, • demonstrated skills in financial, physical and human resource

management.

Strategy Formulation • ability to formulate strategies and policies, and create new

approaches in adverse situations, • ability to take a broad based view of issues and events, and have

an understanding of their longer term impact or wider implications,

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• ability to translate strategies into strategic and operational activities.

Communication Skills • ability to actively listen, seek information and ask questions to

ensure the understanding of underlying concerns of others.

Governance/Management • experience in working with Boards or committees, providing

professional, accurate and strategic advice, • ability in implementing and delivering on Committee decisions and

policies, • understanding of and commitment to being an equal opportunities

employer.

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