• Terms of Employment: 2 year contract on casual basis
• Primary Location: Minjilang community, Croker Island, NT
• Reports to: Project Manager

Background:

Minjilang is a small community on Croker Island in West Arnhem Land, northwest of Darwin, home to about 300 people. One of the languages spoken there is the Iwaidja, which is considered to be endangered. 

ARDS Aboriginal Corporation have been working with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory for over 40 years. Our work champions the importance of language and culture in developing self-empowerment for Aboriginal people. Our approach is founded upon genuine and in-depth learning betwen Indigenous and non-Indigeonus worldviews and incorporates a contemporary understandinng of culturally competent practice and local languages. 

To learn more about ARDS visit our website: https://ards.com.au/.

In Minjilang, community leaders called for a linguist to regulary visit the community and support them to strengthen the traditional languages among the younger generation. Responding to community demand, ARDS secured funding to commence a Minjilang Language and Culture Project in late 2018. We are looking for an enthusiastic linguist who can carry out the project in 2019 – 2020, in conjunction with the ARDS project manager and team. The project linguist will be responsible for conducting all field trips, leading and developing linguistic work on the project, and building deep relationships with community leaders and speakers in the community. 

Primary Function:

The aim of the project is to support Iwaidja speakers in language revitalisation, and to work with people who have knowledge of Marrku, the extinct traditional language of Minjilang. The linguist will spend 14 weeks in total in the community, and will work closely with community leaders, the school and the health clinic to promote, document and sustain local languages. A primary focus will be working with people of all ages to promote the use of existing language resources.

Key Duties:

1. Working closely with a community reference group and the project manager to:
   • Consult with traditional language speakers to understand and further develop priorities for language preservation;
   • Grow local networks to support the project and to promote language resources (eg: school and clinic);
   • Deliver 4 language workshops per year;
   • Design suitable approaches to work with the community – e.g. hunting, fishing practices, land management, healing, traditional music, ceremony and artefacts;
   • Document the priorities of the language community, promotion and plans for future project work beyond 2020.
2. Provide regular reports to the project manager and reference group in a timely manner.
3. Develop a familiarity with the Indigenous language components of ARDS projects and take responsibility for implementation of quality control procedures for this project work.
4. Support the work of Indigenous consultants to:
   • Develop their skills in language work and cross-cultural communication;
   • Support older people to mentor young language ‘apprentices’;
   • Train younger language apprentices to understand, speak, record and document languages with elders.
5. Communicate and liaise across a wide range of sectors and groups and actively promote the work of the project.
6. Build on existing resources, including wordlists.
7. Produce language resources (audio/visual, written, digital).
8. Research and pursue funding opportunities for Indigenous language projects from Government and private sources.

Selection Criteria:

Essential 

1. Relevant tertiary degree in linguistics.
2. Demonstrated experience in Australian languages, linguistics and lexicography.
3. Knowledge of inter-cultural learning, and community development concepts.
4. Culturally competent communication skills and ability to work successfully in multilingual environments.
5. Problem solving and research skills.
6. Demonstrated self motivation and the ability to work independently.
7. Experience in preparing oral and written reports, achieving outcomes within agreed timeframes and providing appropriate advice to key stakeholders.
8. Demonstrated commitment to working respectfully and effectively with Indigenous people and an ability to articulate relevant aspects of their culture and world-view.
9. Ability to supervise Indigenous consultants and provide workplace training.
10. Willingness and ability to spend blocks of time in remote communities.
11. IT and other technology skills including MS Office and experience working with audio recording devices, digital audio and digital communications tools e.g. web/internet and social media.

Desirable

1. Postgraduate Linguistic qualifications, e.g. MA or PhD.
2. Experience in fieldwork in Australian languages, especially in non-Pama-Nyungan languages of Arnhem Land.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of NT and Australian Government policy directions, initiatives and programs relating to Indigenous Australians.
4. Additional skills and knowledge in the fields of anthropology, musicology and community development.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Entitlements

1. Attractive remuneration and travel allowance.
2. Flights from Darwin to Crocker Island.
3. Accomodation in Minjilang community.
4. Travel allowance. 

The successful applicant will be required to:

1. Hold a current NT Working with Children Clearance Notice (Ochre Card);
2. Undertake a Criminal History Check; and
3. Hold or be eligible to obtain a current NT Car Driver’s licence
4. Have a valid Australian visa with work conditions

A criminal history check will not exclude an applicant from the position unless it is relevant criminal history.