Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia · April 2022–September 2026

Building national community infrastructure

National Manager – Community Partnerships & Engagement

Build engagement pathways, partner capability and community participation around a national model of community-led refugee settlement.

Blaise Itabelo in conversation with community and sector partners at a professional event

Mandate and scope

National engagement across Australia, connecting community groups, partner organisations and programme leadership.

My contribution

Developed the Supporting Community Organisation proposition, including roles, onboarding, capability support and reporting expectations.
Led roadshows, forums, workshops and direct engagement across metropolitan, regional and rural communities.
Connected stakeholder feedback, programme information and delivery experience with senior leadership decisions about implementation and risk.

Contribution and collective results

The contribution was engagement and partnership infrastructure that helped connect national programme delivery with local participation. Refugee settlement outcomes belonged to the collective work of CRSA, refugee households, volunteers, partner organisations and government.

CRSA’s public record uses the title National Manager of Community Partnerships & Engagement. See CRSA’s September 2026 event record.

Leadership perspective

National reach depends on local trust. People need to understand the purpose, their responsibilities and how their contribution informs the programme.