Ridwan Ali

As Estate Community Engagement lead, I had oversight for generalist resident and key stakeholder engagement and communication across the two estates. This included oversight and delivery of the North Melbourne and Flemington Local Action Plans; coordination with local stakeholders, including service providers, local government, other government departments toward better access to and coordination with services and responses for residents; effective partnership and support to Ascot Vale and North Melbourne housing offices to support resident engagement; and the broader promotion of learnings across other public housing estates within Western Melbourne Area.

• Conducted analysis of community needs and resources to support strategic plans.
• Assisted with business communications via email, social media and mailings.
• Evaluated donation and sponsorship requests and made funding recommendations.
• Delivered high-level administrative support to board during regular operations and special meetings.
• Developed classes and events fostering loyalty and educating groups about offerings.
• Provided regular progress reports to senior management detailing successes and areas for improvement within current initiatives.
• Developed strong partnerships with local organisations, fostering a collaborative approach to community engagement.
• Enhanced community involvement by organising and leading outreach programs and events.
• Coordinated large-scale annual events, ensuring smooth planning, execution, and post-event follow-up activities took place successfully.
• Improved community relations by hosting open forums for discussion and addressing concerns proactively.
• Monitored program outcomes using data-driven approaches to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

• In my current I effectively managed multiple programs teams for multiple tenders to work with diverse stakeholders between programs or project stakeholders
• My daily tasks involved providing correspondence to internal and external stakeholders about programs and tender supports as well as meet set deadlines
• I utilised my highly developed influence, negotiation skills and problem-solving skills
• Additionally, I facilitated the resolution of complex stakeholder issues when they arise such as stakeholders not approving of programs or withholding information or not getting along with each other.

• In conjunction with program, operations, and central functions my role was responsible to support residents’ centric policy reform and community development activities onsite to improve social connection and inclusion for public housing tenants; improve residents’ sense of safety and reduce anti-social behaviours; and improve access to community services
• Establish and manage a Resident Advisory Group which serves as the resident voice to government, influencing decisions that affect the community
• Work with communities to codesign, develop and implement Local Action Plans (LAP)
• Support initiative to develop renter-centric community engagement approach to enable renters in public housing to participate in and take ownership of decision-making processes
• Lead community engagement on ground response to lockdown of highrise towers due to Covid infection rates
• Focus on domains of education, employment, improved housing services and community participation to make lasting estate-based change and better outcomes for residents
• Capacity to dive deep into the diverse communities on the estate and to ensure that each and all get the opportunity to raise their concerns and share their ideas
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to apply appropriate and timely responses to resident concerns
• Manage the progress of grantees funded to run community well-being projects, community events, and activities
• Use my public housing experience to raise systematic issues that residents experience.

• Experienced working with communities impacted by trauma, building community capacity to respond to and recover from natural disasters (floods, bushfires, and pandemic) with a particular focus on those cohorts most at risk ideally public housing resident
• Established a balance between community, operational and strategic perspective in a policy development
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and conflict resolution skills
• Managing project procurement, including advertising for electronic lodgements and direct award submissions
• Organise and facilitate place-based community conversations, with community groups and members who haven’t voluntarily engaged with the department
• Sound administration and time management skills
• Established networks across state government, services providers, local government, and community stakeholders
• Relevant experience working with people complex needs, good understanding of and experience linking and referring
• Knowledge & experience in a range of community engagement models & techniques
• Ability to communicate effectively & appropriately with diverse range of stakeholders, including communities & staff
• Demonstrated success in designing, delivering training, mentoring, advice & support
• Written communication skills & research skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills in relationship building, influencing, communication & trauma informed practices.