Bush Heritage Australia are seeking an Aboriginal Partnerships Program Manager the North team.

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a very real contribution to the protection of Australia’s unique wildlife and their habitat.

• Fantastic opportunity to work within a leading conservation organisation.
• Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged.

About us

For over 30 years we’ve supported and protected some of the most fragile ecosystems across the continent and seen the impact of our science-based approach. We keep our eyes on the horizon and focus firmly on long-term, landscape scale impact. As a national, not-for-profit, we want to continue to expand the areas we protect and deepen the impact we have. We work in partnership with Traditional Owners, listening to and learning from the customs and cultures that came before us.

Together we can heal and protect the bush, now and into the future.

About the role

The Aboriginal Partnership Program Manager will manage Bush Heritage’s Arnhem Land, Gulf and Cape York Aboriginal Partnerships and work to develop new relationships with Aboriginal groups, alongside Government agencies, and non-government networks that have an interest in Aboriginal land management and conservation programs.

This role will work closely with Bush Heritage Australia’s Head of Region North, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership and partnership staff to identify opportunities to strengthen and grow Bush Heritage’s Aboriginal partnerships program. Bush Heritage’s Aboriginal partnership program strives to work with Traditional Custodians to achieve conservation and caring for country outcomes across the Australian landscape.

This role will represent Bush Heritage values, vision and purpose in the local context by promoting and applying our conservation and Aboriginal partnership principles and practices and actively working in the landscape to jointly bring about social, cultural and environmental outcomes for our Aboriginal Partners and Bush Heritage.

A position description is attached.

What you'll need to succeed

• Highly developed management, leadership and communication capability and a high level of credibility among Aboriginal networks.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Australian Aboriginal societies and cultures, issues affecting Aboriginal peoples in contemporary Australian society, and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal peoples.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of conservation operations and land and sea country management in a remote Australia and Aboriginal community context.
• Demonstrated passion and experience in culturally-led conservation and a commitment to the objectives and values of Bush Heritage.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively negotiate and develop partnerships with Aboriginal peoples.
• Demonstrated skills in preparing and analysing substantial reports, submissions and correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability in presenting information to a wide range of people using techniques appropriate to the audience and subject matter.
• High level of computer literacy and proficiency with personal computers including word processing, spreadsheet and data software.
• Driver’s licence.

What sets us apart

• Great life-work balance: flexible work arrangements with hybrid working.
• Access to 20 days personal leave per year, 10 of these available from commencement of employment. We also offer cultural leave and gender transition leave.
• Employee Resource Groups for women, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent employees as well as a social group for bird lovers.
• Professional development activities including access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Equitable 12 weeks paid leave to all parents, irrespective of their role as primary or secondary carers.
• Remote staff are supported through an education allowance for kids and additional annual leave.
• Access to support and counselling via our Employee Assistance Program and free access to Headspace app.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please click "Apply now". Simply fill in your personal details and answer the questions that follow. You will then be taken to a page to upload a copy of your CV. There is no need to attach a cover letter or separate document answering key selection criteria.

Candidates who are interested in the position are encouraged to apply even though they may feel they are not strong on individual selection criteria. In assessing merit, the panel will take into consideration “performance or achievement relative to opportunity”. We recognise that many staff today have a range of personal circumstances, and career histories.

If you require further information, please contact Jo Axford (Head of Region - North) on [email protected] using the subject line: Aboriginal Partnerships Program Manager - Darwin enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Bush Heritage Australia does not discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital or parental status. Should you require a reasonable adjustment to be made for your application we would be more than happy to discuss how this could be arranged.

Evidence shows that applicants from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't feel they meet all the requirements of the job – unlike candidates from majority backgrounds who might fulfil less requirements.

We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested: we strive to build more diverse teams with your unique experience!

We will be conducting interviews as we receive applications.