ABOUT APO NT

Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory (APO NT) is an alliance comprising the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT), North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Aboriginal Housing NT (AHNT), NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN),Central Land Council (CLC), Northern Land Council (NLC), Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC)and Tiwi Land Council (TLC). The alliance was created to provide a more effective response to key issues of joint interest and concern affecting Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, including through advocating practical policy solutions to government.  

APO NT is committed to increasing Aboriginal involvement in policy development and implementation, and to expanding opportunities for Aboriginal community control.  APO NT also seeks to strengthen networks between peak Aboriginal organisations and smaller regional Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in the NT.

About NAAJA – The Auspice Partner

APO NT has an auspice agreement with NAAJA, where NAAJA provides corporate support to APO NT including human resources and employment services. APO NT staff are employed as employees of NAAJA. APO NT aims to transition to incorporation after 30 June 2024.

THE OPPORTUNITY

APO NT is working in new ways with the Northern Territory, Commonwealth and Local Governments that are based on shared decision making around key priority reform areas under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. This includes:

1. Strengthening and establishing formal partnerships and shared decision-making
2. Building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community- controlled sector
3. Transforming government organisations so they work better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
4. Improving and sharing access to data and information to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to make informed decisions.

APO NT has worked with the Northern Territory Government to commit to building strong Aboriginal community-controlled sectors and organisations in line with the strong sector elements at Clause 45 to deliver Closing the Gap services and programs, in partnership with Aboriginal representatives.  Part of this work includes the establishment of an Independent Aboriginal peak / expert body for education in the NT. 

APO NT is recruiting a dedicated Senior Policy and Project Officer to lead this work. The objectives of the project include:

• To establish an independent peak / expert Aboriginal education body for the purposes of representation, participation and decision making to negotiate with the NT and Federal Governments through a partnership approach on education-related Closing the Gap policy and project design. 
• A peak / expert Aboriginal Education body that will represent the unique needs, knowledge and aspirations of Aboriginal leaders, educators, families and community members through a united voice.  
• Ensure that Aboriginal people with the expertise and experience in the education sector are leading the co-design process towards achieving and improving equity in education for Aboriginal children, youth and adults, i.e., early childhood through to adult education. 

DUTIES

• Lead the NT wide Aboriginal Education project on the development and implementation of an Independent Aboriginal Expert Education body, with direction, input and guidance from the APO NT Governing Group members and the Aboriginal Education Steering Committee
• Consult and engage extensively with Aboriginal people and Aboriginal community controlled organisations in the NT to gain community level and Aboriginal organisational input on the design and development of the project.
• Provide advice on project proposal and project outcomes with an emphasis on the needs and priorities of Aboriginal people and communities in the NT and advise on issues impacting delivery of the project.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships, collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to maximise project and team outcomes, including NT Government and Commonwealth Government, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, communities and individuals and the APO NT Officers Group
• Supervise the Education Project Officer that is employed within this project. 
• Ensure appropriate cultural protocols for working with Aboriginal people and communities are respected throughout the project, including ongoing support and guidance relating to Aboriginal engagement with APONT members, community leaders, Aboriginal organisations and community members. 
• Contribute to research and the preparation of reports, project implementation plans, briefings and correspondence for different audiences, including developing culturally appropriate presentations and materials for the diverse range of Aboriginal people and communities across the NT. 
• Maintain effective processes, systems and internal controls to ensure effective, efficient and robust governance frameworks for the delivery of the project.
• Attend meetings with Commonwealth and NT Government Ministers and senior officials, including coordinating external meetings and briefing documents relevant to the project.
• Other duties as directed by the APO NT Manager

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the political, social, cultural, and economic circumstances facing Aboriginal people and communities across the Northern Territory.
• Sound understanding of the Education sector in the NT including the remote areas, tertiary qualifications or extensive experience in education.
• Previous experience working within an Aboriginal organisation.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritise and execute complex tasks in a multidisciplinary environment. 
• Excellent facilitation skills including; the ability to facilitate the Aboriginal Education Steering Committee meetings; coordinate and support community meetings; coordinate and lead internal groups of staff where required for the purposes of input into an event / initiative. 
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills with previous experience in preparing briefings, reports and correspondence.
• Ability to present complex information in plain English, including effective cross-cultural communication skills and experience working with diverse Aboriginal people and communities across the NT including Aboriginal leadership and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
• Knowledge and demonstrated skills in community development and strategic planning and implementation. 
• Experience supervising and supporting staff.
• Strong time management and organisation skills, personal drive and demonstrated ability to achieve outcomes within agreed timeframes. 
• Ability to frequently travel across the NT, including to remote communities, homelands, outstations and town camps.
• Current Driver’s licence, Satisfactory Criminal History Check and a current Ochre Card or the ability to gain.

Desirable: 

• Knowledge or experience of major project facilitation and development.
• Extensive experience within Aboriginal affairs across the NT

How to apply

Please click 'Apply Now' to submit your application.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please contact Seranie Gamble on: [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy and Project Officer - Education - Darwin / Alice Springs enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0473 423 806.

A duty statement is attached.