The Opportunity:
We’re excited to announce an opportunity for an experienced Director in our Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt Regional team, based in our Darwin or Nhulunbuy office.
As a Director, you will have the unique opportunity to:
- work on Regional Strategies and Priorities across the Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt region, including leading economic development
- work with a range of communities, including key senior leaders and service providers
- drive outcomes that align with the aspirations of communities and lead staff to deliver the NIAA's work program within the Agency's Key Performance Measures and quality indicators
- research, analyse and provide a regional perspective informing national procedures, programs, policy. This includes a detailed analysis of diverse data and views where there are a range of viable options
- provide advice and support on complex grant processes, including providing feedback on draft guidelines, assessment of application and management of key contracts
- provide excellent stakeholder engagement skills, effectively managing relationships with internal and external partners, individuals and service providers and promote the NIAA's business objectives through key strategic relationships
- create a culturally safe workplace by fostering an environment where the concept of culture, and how it influences the workplace, is understood
- guide the implementation of culturally appropriate strategies for working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Our Ideal Candidate
As our ideal candidate, you will play a pivotal leadership role in driving strategic direction, managing high-performing teams, and delivering impactful community engagement programs.
This role is responsible for overseeing the branch’s work program, ensuring alignment with national priorities such as Closing the Gap targets, self-determination and economic development while fostering strong partnerships with First Nations communities and stakeholders. You’ll provide expert advice, champion innovation, and lead culturally informed initiatives that support the NIAA’s mission.
With accountability for performance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, this role is ideal for a strategic thinker and collaborative leader ready to make a meaningful difference in a dynamic regional setting. As the lead Commonwealth Agency for Indigenous Australians affairs, you will need to have an appreciation, awareness and understanding of matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and be committed to strengthening your ongoing cultural competency, as well as demonstrate the following skills and capabilities:
- build a collective sense of purpose and direction to support NIAA's vision and engage in other parts of the broader business to assist in the overall delivery of the branch goals
- evaluate ongoing branch and project performance, develop capability in teams to consistently deliver quality outcomes and mitigate risk by building strong processes and service offers to support delivery; lead change by offering a clear direction, unambiguous messaging and a visible presence
- maintain and influence strong stakeholder partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders including First Nations peoples, community partners, business and organisations and engage and manage stakeholder expectations of the NIAA work program, priorities and program change giving particular consideration to local and cultural sensitivities and stakeholder business imperatives
- treat NIAA staff and stakeholders with respect and courtesy; facilitate cooperation and partnerships to deliver corporate outcomes; nurture relationships by building organisational and inter-agency networks; identify and facilitate learning opportunities for self and others; exemplify management of underperformance
- act professionally at all times and operate within the boundaries of organisational processes and legal and public policy constraints; work within and promotes NIAA's values; demonstrate personal risk by challenging important issues constructively; stand by own position and supports others when required; persist and focus on achieving objectives in challenging and highly complex situations; be an effective organisational representative in all forums and interactions with senior stakeholders.
- communicate tailored information and messages confidently, with demonstrated cultural competence; understand the audience, anticipating reactions and be prepared to respond; approach sensitive and complex negotiations with deliberate consideration; seek support of key stakeholders in advance; be well prepared to negotiate persuasively to deliver a final outcome that is mutually beneficial.
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 25-Jun-2025 AEST
