The Opportunity:

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has APS5 and APS6 opportunities within the New South Wales Grants Management Unit (GMU). The GMU is seeking applicants to fill current and anticipated vacancies and to create a merit pool for future vacancies.

The GMU provides high quality, professional grants management and administration services to our stakeholders that supports the outcomes of Government and improves the lives of Indigenous Australians. The GMU provides strategic direction and leverages expertise to ensure quality outcomes are delivered across the program outputs. The GMU works with its NIAA internal stakeholders—who are in policy and program areas or engagement roles—to provide professional grant management services for Indigenous Advancement Strategy grants.

The core function of the GMU is to manage grant agreements. This includes to draft agreements, negotiate and execute grant agreements, monitor compliance and performance, manage risk, make payments, analyse financial reports and acquit funding.

APS5 GMU Agreement Managers have a critical role in ensuring grant agreements comply with statutory requirements, guidelines regulatory frameworks and NIAA policy (eg. risk and assurance) and the relevant Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

As an APS5 GMU Agreement Manager you will be expected to:

• undertake and deliver consistent grant management, including assessing and managing risk and ensuring that contractual issues are appropriately addressed
• possess knowledge of grant agreement management, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and financial delegations
• have an understanding of financial statements and the ability to use online data management systems
• assess and resolve complex and sensitive issues that impact programs or grant agreements and develop creative solutions in partnership with Regional Office engagement teams and relevant program areas
• manage effective internal and external relationships, negotiate with stakeholders in more complex matters, and resolve escalated issues where appropriate
• model supportive and collaborative behaviours, encourage innovation and help build an environment where staff are valued and committed to producing quality outcomes. 

The APS6 GMU Senior Agreement Managers are leaders and have responsibility for the supervision and development of other staff. They have a critical role in ensuring grant agreements comply with statutory requirements, regulatory frameworks, and NIAA policy (eg. risk and assurance) and the relevant Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
As an APS6 GMU Senior Agreement Manager you will be expected to:

• undertake and deliver high quality and consistent grant management, including assessing and managing risk and ensuring that contractual issues are appropriately addressed
• possess in-depth knowledge of grant agreement management, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and financial delegations
• have a solid understanding of financial statements and the ability to use online data management systems
• assess and resolve complex and sensitive issues that impact programs or grant agreements and develop creative solutions in partnership with Regional Office engagement teams and relevant program areas
• manage effective internal and external relationships, negotiate with stakeholders in more complex matters, and resolve escalated issues where appropriate
• supervise and develop staff
• build team capacity through coaching performance feedback and encouraging career development
• model supportive and collaborative behaviours, encourage innovation and build an environment where staff are valued and committed to producing quality outcomes
• support the EL1 GMU Team Leader to oversee and guide the day-to-day operational activities of a team to deliver high quality services and grants implementation.

Candidates with broadly transferable skills across the above functions are strongly encouraged to apply. The GMU provides a supportive environment to assist you to learn the specifics of the role.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidates are passionate about better understanding the key issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Candidates should exhibit sound judgement and professionalism and have the capacity to work flexibly and responsively to achieve results.

To fill the role, we are looking for candidates who will play a key role in overseeing all elements associated with grant administration processes. Candidates will be required to provide expert advice and recommendations on grant agreement management systems and compliance with relevant legislation, guidelines, and policy frameworks. The role requires a solid understanding of financial statements and the ability to use online data management systems.

To fill the APS5 GMU Agreement Manager role, we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following competencies:

• demonstrated analytical, research and problem-solving skills
• ability to manage grant agreements with varying levels of complexity and sensitivity and identify potential risks
• ability to engage effectively with stakeholders regarding the management of grant agreements e.g. service delivery and provider capability risks, performance reports, grant payment instalments
• ability to identify emerging opportunities or issues, and respond quickly to competing priorities as they emerge
• demonstrated flexibility and good judgement
• willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

To fill the APS6 GMU Senior Agreement Manager role, we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following competencies:

• demonstrated high level analytical, research and problem-solving skills
• ability to manage grant agreements with varying levels of complexity and sensitivity and identify potential risks
• ability to engage effectively with stakeholders regarding the management of grant agreements e.g. service delivery and provider capability risks, performance reports, grant payment instalments
• ability to identify emerging opportunities or issues, and respond quickly to competing priorities as they emerge
• demonstrated flexibility and good judgement
• willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• ability to effectively supervise staff and provide constructive management with a focus on capability development, team building and talent management.

Information Session

The NIAA will hold a virtual information session about these positions, which will include an opportunity to ask questions. If you are interested in participating, please email the contact officer maryanne.fazekas@official.niaa.gov.au for further information.

Alternatively, you can contact Maryanne Fazekas directly for any questions that you have about the position.
 
What We Offer:

• We have exciting work with real purpose. We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples—it’s our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.
• We value our employees —they’re the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development.
• Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships — we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders.

 
Eligibility:

• To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
• The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level. 
• The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check

 
How to apply: 
If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Submit an online application through the NIAA Careers Page by 11:30pm Sunday 29 October 2023 AEDT. 

Other: Career Fair, Other, Work at Home