VOLUNTEER MENTOR
-Position Description-
RMCC’S SUPERSTAR SIDEKICKS
Like Batman and Robin, or Han Solo and Chewbacca, we all benefit from having an ally by our side to lend a helping hand, and cheer us on when we succeed.
This is the important role our volunteer mentors play. Once a week they transform into the trusty sidekicks of our RMCC kids. They provide educational assistance, help run life skills workshops, and act as a friend and positive role model.
Their energy, encouragement and loyalty are why RMCC kids love our programs.
What’s the best part of being a mentor?
Interested in becoming a mentor?
What does RMCC do?
RMCC helps kids from refugee and migrant backgrounds thrive in school and life.
We provide specialist support to address the unique needs of school-aged kids from refugee and migrant backgrounds by bringing together the key figures in each child’s life – their school, teachers, family, community – and providing tailored mentoring programs that support RMCC kids through their post settlement journey to achieve positive educational and social outcomes.
Who can become a mentor?
Anyone with these skills!
- Fluent English with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- A motivated self-starter
- Passionate about supporting children and youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds
What commitment does it involve?
- Volunteering between 2pm and 5pm on your chosen program day for a minimum period of two school terms (six months)
- Attending a one-hour team meeting every two months, outside of program hours
- Current volunteer Working With Children Check, or willingness to obtain one
- Current National Police Check, or willingness to obtain one
What’s in it for me?
- In-house training provided by RMCC
- Access to professional and personal development webinars provided by IAG
- A formal reference following the successful completion of the volunteering program
- The satisfaction of making a profound difference in the lives of children, and helping them thrive in their new life
How would you describe being a mentor, in one word?
Core Details
Commitment Period: 2-3 hours a week for a minimum of 6 months, but we love it if it’s longer!
Location: Sessions are run both online and in-person. In-person sessions are located at primary and secondary schools in Melbourne’s west.
Reports into: Programs Manager, Operations Manager
Frequency: Weekly during school terms plus bi-monthly team meetings, and occasional compulsory training sessions.
Program Time: Weekly during school terms plus bi-monthly team meetings, and occasional compulsory training sessions.
Position Description
Our volunteer mentors contribute to RMCC’s mission of empowering kids from refugee and migrant backgrounds. They assist the Program Coordinator to execute our weekly program sessions and support RMCC kids. RMCC runs three different programs:
- Sidekicks Senior (2.30pm-5.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, face-to-face and online) is for secondary school students from year 7-12 and provides educational support and life skill development to adolescents from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Mentors support participants by creating a positive and judgement-free environment where students can engage in learning and build new connections with peers, the community, and their mentors.
- Sidekicks Junior (2.30pm-5.30pm on Thursdays, online only) is for primary school students from year 3-6 and provides educational support and life skill development to children from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Mentors support participants by leading workshops, assisting with homework, practicing written/spoken English, building confidence, and promoting inclusion and cultural acceptance.
- Side by Side (2.30pm-5.30pm on Monday and Wednesdays, online and face-to-face) is for prep–year 2 students and their families and aims to increase family capacity to support learning at home. This program also assists parents to connect to the school community and better engage with the Victorian school system.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality mentoring to students and their families on a range of topics and projects with an emphasis on family learning and engagement;
- Communicate effectively with students and their parents about the tasks involved and provide assistance when needed;
- Listen actively and effectively in order to identify and solve problems, facilitate learning and build student confidence and family participation;
- Acquire a deeper understanding of program material and mentoring techniques and be open to new ideas on how to help students and their families;
- Build a trusting learning relationship with the children and their families.
Who You Are
- Passionate about the mission of RMCC and creating change for vulnerable refugee and migrant children;
- Confident, professional, and willing to embrace challenges;
- A driven self-starter who can take initiative;
- Positive, caring and inclusive;
- Energetic and dynamic team member;
- Prior volunteer experience is highly regarded.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Fluent in the English language with outstanding verbal and written communication skills;
- A passion for, and knowledge of, current refugee and asylum seeker issues;
- Experience working with children and/or young people is highly regarded.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE
- Current Working With Children Check or willingness to obtain one;
- Current National Police Check or willingness to obtain one;
- Some out of hours work may occasionally be required.
Apply to become a mentor
Apply to become a mentor
Please upload your CV and one-page cover letter that answers these questions:
- What is motivating you to become an RMCC mentor?
- What character traits do you think it’s important to have when working with RMCC kids?
- How will you manage the commitment of volunteering 3 hours every week for a minimum six-month period, plus attending a 1.5 hour team meeting every two months?
At RMCC we are a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, or disability.
