Job description
Caseworker – Shakti Woman’s Refuge Trust
Location: West/East/North – Auckland
Empowering Women. Transforming Lives.
Shakti Women’s Refuge Trust is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting migrant and refugee women of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern origin. “Shakti” means strength, and that’s exactly what we strive to build: a world where women and children live free from fear and violence, empowered to exercise their rights, choices, and responsibilities with dignity.
The Opportunity
Position: Caseworker (Part-Time, 15–21 hours/week)
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Caseworker to join our dedicated team within the 24/7 Crisis Intervention Service, based across our West, East, and North Shore Auckland offices. In this role, you will provide high-quality, culturally responsive support to women and children experiencing crisis situations. This is a part-time position (15–21 hours per week), offering valuable opportunities for professional development, continuous learning, and meaningful contribution to the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of ethnic women and children in our community.
About the Role
As a Caseworker, you will:
- Respond promptly to crisis calls and referrals through the 24/7 Crisis Intervention.
- Conduct comprehensive risk and safety assessments for clients.
- Develop and implement safety plans tailored to clients’ individual needs.
- Provide culturally sensitive support, information, and advocacy to women and children in crisis.
- Liaise with Police, Oranga Tamariki, MSD, and other agencies to coordinate crisis responses and support services.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policy and privacy regulations.
- Assist clients in accessing emergency accommodation, financial assistance, legal protection, and health services.
- Advocate for clients’ rights and needs within social, legal, and community systems.
- Support clients through legal and court processes when required.
Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- A recognised qualification in Psychology, or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience).
- Proven leadership experience in a social services or NGO setting
- Experience working with government departments or agencies supporting women and children
- Cultural competency and experience working with diverse ethnic communities
- Fluency in a language from Asia, the Middle East, or Africa (highly desirable)
- A strong commitment to social justice, advocacy, and empowerment
- Full NZ driver’s licence and Permanent Resident/or New Zealand Citizen
- A proactive, open-minded approach and willingness to go above and beyond.
What We Offer
- Ongoing professional supervision and training opportunities.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women and children.
- Staff benefit
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a community-focused organisation making a real difference.
- Work with a collaborative and supportive team.
- Access opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Lead a service that empowers women and children to live free from fear and violence.
How to Apply
Please apply online by submitting your CV and a cover letter to hrd@shakti.org.nz outlining your experience and motivation for the role by Friday, 21 November 2025
Job description
Senior Social Worker/ Team Lead – Shakti Women’s Refuge Trust
Empowering Women. Transforming Lives.
Shakti Women’s Refuge Trust is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting migrant and refugee women of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern origin. “Shakti” means strength, and that’s exactly what we strive to build: a world where women and children live free from fear and violence, empowered to exercise their rights, choices, and responsibilities with dignity.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a compassionate and experienced Senior Social Worker to join our dedicated team in Auckland as Team Lead/ Auckland Regional Service Delivery Manager. This is a leadership role with national scope, supporting our Auckland and North Island regions to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive services to women and children.
About the Role
As a regional Team Lead, you will:
- Work collaboratively with the National Refuge Service Delivery Manager and other key team members to facilitate best practices to support women and children in domestic violence situations.
- Provide strong leadership, supervision, and coaching (both one-on-one and group) to support workers, case workers, and social workers.
- Monitor and oversee casework to ensure client needs are met and organisational standards are upheld.
- Plan and oversee service delivery aligned with Shakti’s strategic direction, ensuring the safety and well-being of those accessing our services.
- Foster a positive team culture that supports continuous learning and improvement through case study reviews and feedback.
- Ensure practice standards comply with MSD and social service standards.
- Prepare reports and maintain accountability across service areas.
- Represent Shakti at network meetings, conferences, and within the domestic violence sector nationally.
- Advocate for cultural competency and promote cross-cultural understanding within broader communities.
- Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and community partners.
Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- A recognised qualification in Social Work (SWRB NZ), registered with NZ Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) is desirable.
- Proven leadership experience in a social services or NGO setting
- Experience working with government departments or agencies supporting women and children
- Cultural competency and experience working with diverse ethnic communities
- Fluency in a language from Asia, the Middle East, or Africa (highly desirable)
- A strong commitment to social justice, advocacy, and empowerment
- Full NZ driver’s licence and legal right to work in New Zealand, and own vehicle.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a values-driven organisation making a real difference
- Lead a passionate and culturally diverse team
- Influence national service delivery and advocacy efforts
What We Offer
- Ongoing professional supervision and training opportunities.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women and children.
- Staff benefit
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and motivation for the role to hrd@shakti.org.nz by Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be held before the closing date — so we encourage you to apply early.
Job description
National Crisisline Coordinator – Shakti Woman’s Refuge Trust
Location: Manukau (3 days/week) and Henderson (2 days/week), Auckland
Empowering Women. Transforming Lives.
Shakti Women’s Refuge Trust is a not-for-profit community organisation led by ethnic women, for ethnic women. We specialise in culturally competent support services for women, children, and families of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern origin, focusing on domestic/family violence intervention, prevention, and awareness. We are a national organisation with branches in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
About Shakti Crisisline
Shakti’s 24/7 National Crisisline is a vital lifeline for ethnic women and children experiencing domestic violence. It receives calls from existing clients, new callers seeking urgent help, and external organisations such as the Police, hospitals, and other social services. The service provides immediate support, safety planning, and culturally responsive interventions across Aotearoa.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a compassionate and proactive National Crisisline Coordinator to lead the crisisline service. Based primarily in our Manukau office (3 days/week) and Henderson office (2 days/week), this full-time role combines strategic leadership with direct frontline service delivery — offering national impact and meaningful daily engagement with clients.
About the Role
Direct Crisis Response (3 Days/Week)
- Personally answer crisis calls three days per week with support from volunteers, providing immediate support, safety planning, and culturally responsive interventions
- Maintain a strong understanding of frontline challenges to inform service improvements and training.
Team Leadership & Service Oversight
- Monitor and supervise calls answered by crisisline staff and volunteers to ensure quality and consistency.
- Recruit, train, and support volunteers to cover evenings and weekend shifts.
- Provide ongoing coaching and supervision to volunteers and staff, ensuring trauma-informed and culturally competent responses.
Service Development & Advocacy
- Analyse call data to identify trends, inform service delivery, and enhance practice.
- Prepare reports on crisisline activity, outcomes, and service gaps.
- Work closely with the National Refuge Service Delivery Manager to manage risks and improve services for domestic violence victims.
- Represent Shakti in cross-agency forums and advocate for the rights and safety of ethnic women and children.
- Promote cultural awareness and cross-cultural understanding within the domestic violence sector.
Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- Experience in social services, crisis intervention, or counselling.
- Relevant qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or related fields.
- Experience managing teams and services, ideally at a national level.
- A deep passion for women’s empowerment and child safety.
- Strong understanding of cross-cultural environments, with empathy and patience.
- Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.
- Fluency in at least one Asian, African, or Middle Eastern language.
- Full NZ driver’s licence and access to your own transport.
- A proactive, open-minded approach and willingness to go above and beyond.
Why Join Us?
Make a Real Impact: Lead a vital national service while staying connected to the frontline.
Collaborative Culture: Work with a passionate, values-driven team committed to social justice.
Professional Growth: Opportunities for leadership development, training, and sector engagement.
Empowerment in Action: Help transform lives and promote safety, dignity, and freedom for ethnic women and children.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and motivation for the role to hrd@shakti.org.nz by Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be held before the closing date — so we encourage you to apply early.
Shakti is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women with lived experience of migration, ethnic communities, or family violence.
