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First Languages Program Facilitator - Flexible Location

Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation

About ALNF

The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) is a national charity dedicated to raising language, literacy and numeracy standards in Australia for vulnerable Australians.

For further information on ALNF please visit our website.

The Living First Languages Program

“I am alive again. Listen! Language is life.

You have given me Language. You have given me life. I am alive again.”

— Warumungu Elder, Tennant Creek, NT

ALNF has a strong history of working to support literacy in Australia’s First Languages through its Living First Languages Program which was developed in response to requests by Warumungu and Warramiri Elders. The Program combines a range of place-based and digital activities designed to support community-driven and sustainable language and literacy teaching and learning in Australia’s First Languages (see here).

A key part of this work is the digital Living First Languages Platform. The Platform provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the technology to record, display and teach language and literacy in their own First Languages (see video case study).

Language content is approved by Language Advisory Groups comprised of Elders and others nominated by the community, with the resultant Language Space owned by an appropriate community organisation.

ALNF received support for the development of the Platform through the Google Impact Challenge in 2017, and across 2019-2020 the Platform was recognised with three international awards: at SXSW in Austin, Texas; MIT Solve in Boston; and the UN-based World Summit Awards in Vienna.

About this role

To meet growing demand, ALNF has an exciting opportunity for a First Languages Programs Facilitator with strong community experience to engage with communities to implement the Living First Languages Platform. In particular, they will support community members to record and collate English and First Language content through an exciting mixture of technology and innovative place-based activities.

This position is suited to a motivated and proactive individual who is able to work across multiple work environments, has experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and is driven to see others succeed - thriving off their achievements.

Candidates must be passionate about this work, have exceptional people skills, a strong ability to work and communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders.

This position involves extensive travel to ALNF’s remote project sites in several states and territories, with potential periods of multiple weeks in project regions.

The ALNF head office is in Sydney, however we welcome applicants who live elsewhere.

This role requires Working with Children and Vulnerable People and National Police Checks.

Key Accountabilities

  • Work with colleagues to implement the Living First Languages Program across diverse communities
  • Work with communities (through local Language Facilitators) to record and organise Language elements in their Language space on the digital Platform, in accordance with community wishes
  • Train and mentor community members in strategies for collating and producing Language elements and in managing their Language’s digital resource. This includes involvement in the creation of training/workshop materials
  • Work with communities and education providers (such as local schools, language centres and workplaces) to support the development of teaching and other resources in First Languages, drawn from material hosted on the digital platform
  • Coordinate with project sites to prepare action plans, schedules, and reports
  • Coordinate the customisation of training and workshop materials, user guides, tools, and templates, incorporating stakeholder feedback
  • Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of Program delivery against community, internal and funder objectives
  • Collect Project evaluation data and contribute to reports, articles and other documents on the Program
  • Assist with identifying new features and issues with the Living First Languages Platform
  • Provide routine technical support to end users.

Selection Criteria

Essential

  • Passion for the revitalisation of and intergenerational teaching in Australia’s First Languages
  • Strong cultural competence, with experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting people, ensuring all have the opportunity to succeed and be heard
  • Excellent people skills with the ability to build relationships quickly and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders
  • Tech savvy and comfortable supporting others with technology use
  • Organised and good at managing time and keeping others on track
  • Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to deliver workshops to small groups
  • Good written communication and documentation skills with the ability to prepare meeting minutes, trip reports, user training materials and other documentation
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • A self-starter, with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team
  • Willingness and ability to travel (potentially for weeks at a time)
  • Meet requirements for Working with Children and Vulnerable Persons
  • Meet requirements for access to schools and other learning sites including full Covid-19 vaccination or AIR medical exemption
  • Current Australian Driver’s License and ability to drive 4WD vehicles

Desirable

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
  • Experience in Language work in education, international or community development sectors
  • Experience and skills in adult education and training
  • Qualifications and/or experience in relevant area, such as community development, education, languages or related fields
  • Experience working on new projects, including experience developing new learning tools, templates and training materials
  • Experience working with online content management systems
  • Experience juggling multiple projects

next steps

To submit your application, click Apply Now. 

Please direct enquiries and submit your application to: Philippa Pryor, ALNF Programs Manager at [email protected], using the subject line: First Languages Program Facilitator enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

A position description is attached.

How to apply

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