Aboriginal Strategy and Partnerships Lead (Identified)
Location: Tamworth, NSW
JOIN OUR TEAM
Tamworth Regional Council proudly sits on Kamilaroi Country, the traditional lands of the Gomeroi people and is committed to developing our organisational cultural capability and connection to the Aboriginal community through the creation of this new role.
The Tamworth region is home to over 60,000 people and is a thriving economic and cultural hub in the North West of NSW. Our recently adopted plan for the future of the region, ‘Blueprint 100’, drives strategic vision for growth as a region, as we plan for how the city and the region will sustainably accommodate a population of 100,000 people.
This role will assist Council to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ in the preservation and celebration of their cultures, through collaboration and engagement as well as play a part in supporting the Mara Ngali Agreement between Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) and Tamworth Regional Council (TRC).
This landmark partnership champions place-based solutions that actively address systemic inequalities and empower self-determination. It represents a shared commitment to embedding and actioning the priorities of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap through meaningful local initiatives.
THE OPPORTUNITY
- Use your kinship and connection to community to engage local people, to protect and celebrate the history of Aboriginal culture in our community
- Lead initiatives to embed culture and meet Closing the Gap targets
- Develop impactful policies and build partnerships with Indigenous communities
- Deliver projects and reports on employment, procurement and cultural inclusion.
COULD THIS BE YOU?
We are looking for an individual who is enthusiastic and holds a strong profile, reputation and networks in the local community including both community members and organisations, with the ability to effectively engage and communicate with those stakeholders. This role will be a key driver of the Mara Ngali Agreement and the Council's Closing the Gap strategy, offering a meaningful opportunity to shape policy and strategy that positively impacts local Indigenous communities.
The Aboriginal Strategy & Partnerships Lead will:
- Lead and drive Council’s progress in achieving its Closing the Gap targets
- Develop policy and strategy that seeks to embed Aboriginal cultural awareness and knowledge throughout the organisation
- Develop and leverage relationships, partnerships and networks between Council and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities and relevant government departments
- Develop and provide oversight of projects and initiatives that address specific Closing the Gap targets
- Develop policy and strategy that delivers practical progress in relation to Closing the Gap targets, including recruitment and retention, career development, contractor procurement, partnership and investment opportunities
- Develop and deliver accurate reporting in relation to Closing the Gap targets, including Aboriginal cultural inclusion metrics
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL NEED
- Applicants must identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent through parentage, identify as being an Australian Aboriginal and accepted in the community as such*;
- Degree in Social Policy, Community Development, Social Sciences, Community Services or relevant equivalent experience
- Driver Licence
- Working With Children’s Check (WWCC)
Applicants will be required to provide confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent with thier application. This confirmation can be in the form of:
- A letter of confirmation from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community organisation, or
- A statutory declaration confirming;
- You are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
- You identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
- You are accepted as such by your community
INTERESTED? WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!
For a confidential discussion, please contact David Lightowler, Manager – Community, Safety and Wellbeing on 0458 763 067
Salary range: Grade 19 - $112,011.74 - $121,200.39 per annum plus superannuation for a 35 hour work week. Salary may be negotiated based on skills, experience and your value to our organisation.
Flexible working arrangements will be considered by mutual agreement and according to operational requirements.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to undertake a Pre-employment Medical Screening including Alcohol & Other Drugs Testing.
Apply Now! Applications Close: 11.59pm Tuesday, 9th September 2025
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WHY IS IT ‘WORTH’ WORKING AT TAMWORTH REGIONAL COUNCIL?
For your LIFESTYLE: More time in your day with flexibility for your passions, family or play! It's Worth It - Lifestyle
For our COMMUNITY: Help create Tamworth tomorrow, leave your mark on our city. It's Worth It - Community
For your CAREER: Boost your career, the sky is the limit. It's Worth It - Career
For BELONGING: Join a family that values team spirit and genuinely cares about your wellbeing. It's Worth It - Belonging
A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK!
Tamworth Regional Council proudly sits on Kamilaroi Country, the traditional lands of the Gomeroi people, with a large diverse workplace culture with over 650 employees who are proud to service our community.
The Tamworth region is home to over 60,000 people and is a thriving economic and cultural hub in the North West of NSW. Our recently adopted plan for the future of the region, ‘Blueprint 100’, drives strategic vision for growth as a region, as we plan for how the city and the region will sustainably accommodate a population of 100,000 people.
Our people strive to build a great organisational culture fostering our shared values of Teamwork, Equity, Accountability, Customer Orientation and Health and Safety whilst embracing the drive for excellence, innovation and respect.
ABOUT OUR REGION
The Tamworth Regional is a fabulous place to call home boasting the vibrant regional city of Tamworth along with the towns of Manilla, Barraba, Nundle and Kootingal as well as 17 hamlets, villages and rural areas. Located just 4 hours’ drive (or a direct flight) to bustling Sydney and multiple coastal locations within 3-4 hours’ drive, Tamworth is a central hub and a place to enjoy all year round.
Tamworth offers an enviable lifestyle with all the conveniences and services you’d expect from a larger city, coupled with a relaxed pace of life with opportunities to enjoy all that nature has to offer, along with being a great place to raise children, make long term friends and create a professional career.
As the capital of the North West region, Tamworth is home to major health and education centres, affordable housing options to suit all lifestyles, attractive employment and business opportunities with a robust and innovative local economy. In addition, the Tamworth region boasts a proud sporting culture with world class facilities and a supporting community of clubs.
Tamworth Regional Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to supporting a diverse, respectful, safe and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and ages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, people with disabilities and other diversity groups. If you require additional support or any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know during the application process.
Tamworth Regional Council is committed to promoting the care, protection and safeguarding of children. Applicants should be aware that where relevant, Council may carry out working with children, police records and referee checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.
To learn more about our Commitment to Child Safety Statement and our screening processes, click the link below.
https://shorturl.at/npAF6
This position has been identified as ‘child related employment’ under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998. Relevant Working With Children Checks and criminal record checks will be conducted to ensure the suitability of recommended applicants. It is an offence under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 for a prohibited person to be employed in this position. A prohibited person is someone who has been convicted of a serious sex offence. Incumbents to this position will be required to make a disclosure as to whether they are or are not a prohibited person.
This position is funded under the Training Services NSW, Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant. This initiative is designed to support Aboriginal people to access employment and career development pathways into the NSW Public Sector.
