Job: 982671 | Full-Time | Fixed-Term (Until September 2026) | Kempsey, NSW

This is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position which is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) was established in a critical act of self-determination over 50 years ago as part of the Aboriginal rights protest movement. We provide high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout NSW and the ACT, and fight for social justice and equity for our communities.

Learning the Macleay is a community lead initiative that aims to bring the entire community together to understand what the issues are that are impacting the local community, why they have and are still occurring, and what solutions community wants implemented to address these issues moving forward. Learning the Macleay recognises that no one understands the local community as well as the community itself. Kempsey and the Macleay has a strong cultural backbone and this is the key to providing our community with the opportunity to make the right decisions about their own lives and to strengthen the wider community.

What Will You Do?

In this role, you will be an integral and valued member of a highly skilled and high-performing Justice Projects, Policy & Practice team. This role builds relationships between ALS, Learning the Macleay, and local justice stakeholders to support initiatives reducing First Nations peoples’ contact with the justice system. It involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including Aboriginal communities, ACCOs, and government bodies, to drive justice reinvestment efforts.

• Build strong relationships with local community stakeholders and understand justice priorities.
• Raise awareness of NSW Aboriginal Justice Partnership and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
• Strengthen ties between local ALS and JRNSW teams and ensure local justice reinvestment initiatives are informed by ALS expertise.
• Collaborate with JRNSW, ACCOs, and local governance groups to plan and implement community engagement strategies.
• Lead engagement with key stakeholders to co-design local justice plans and establish Aboriginal Justice Partnerships.
• Support the development of partnerships and share learnings with other community-led justice reinvestment initiatives.

Who Are We Looking For?

A highly skilled and motivated individual with a thorough understanding of the cultural, social, and historical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You will be able to demonstrate:

• Must Identify as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander
• Knowledge of the justice system’s impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and support for community-led justice initiatives.
• Experience working with Aboriginal communities in community development or advocacy roles.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders and leverage local community networks.
• Skilled in planning and implementing community engagement strategies with strong interpersonal and public speaking abilities.
• Tertiary qualification in community development or social policy, or equivalent experience in the Aboriginal community and justice sectors.

Why Join Us?

At ALS, you can discover a fulfilling career that truly makes an impact in the community. We also offer our staff a range of generous benefits including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax burden, which means you get to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%, ensuring that you are rewarded for your time off and can enjoy a well-deserved break.
• Career and professional development opportunities

How to Apply

Please click "Apply Now". Before you begin, make sure you have an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Community Partnerships Officer (Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Identified) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note that due to the criticality of this role to our organisation, we will move at a pace through our recruitment process. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply ASAP. The role will close when an offer is accepted by a suitable candidate.

At ALS, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of safe recruitment practices. Therefore, it is essential that candidates either possess or have the capacity to obtain a current and valid Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check for this role.

We are focused to providing equal opportunities to all candidates. If you identify as a person with a disability and need any adjustments or support with your application including throughout the recruitment process, please let us know by reaching out to our Talent Team at [email protected].