Background

Birriliburu Pty Ltd (BPL) is a land management services and business development company, wholly owned by the Birriliburu Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC), Mungarlu Ngurrarankatja Rirraunkaja Aboriginal Corporation (MNR).

MNR’s land management program began in 2013 with the Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area and expanded in 2019 with the creation of BPL and a wider range of programs, including on-country rangers, heritage services, tourism and business development.

BPL is currently developing a comprehensive service agreement with MNR and contracts a range of operational and financial supports through Desert Support Services (DSS), Desert Accounting & Business Services (DABS), and Central Desert Native Title Services.

Your Role

This appointment will be the first General Manager for BPL.

The General Manager (GM) contract of engagement will initially be with Desert Support Services (DSS), transferring to BPL upon completion of the probationary period or by 1 July 2025, whichever is earlier.

The GM’s task is to draw on the work undertaken by MNR and DSS to establish BPL and develop the company into an independent, sustainable business, delivering outcomes to MNR and Birriliburu Traditional Owners and communities.

The GM’s overall task is to build the capacity of MNR via its operating subsidiary, BPL.

Key Deliverables

The General Manager must meet the deliverables of all BPL grants and programs, including the Birriliburu Wiltu (Strong Birriliburu) Program – a project funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). BPL is tasked under this project to build capacity through the following:

• Transition existing land management programs from service providers and contractors to BPL and foster new ventures. This requires the development and delivery of an Implementation Plan to support the Project.
• Build the capacity of staff and the organisation, including identifying training needs and developing and implementing an Annual Training Plan.
• Work with the Board to develop and implement policies, procedures, and related documents to reflect BPL’s strategic plan and the objectives of the Strong Birriliburu Project. This includes staff position descriptions, WHS and HR policies, and corporate controls such as Delegations of Authority, Travel Policy, and others that underpin the safe, compliant, and efficient operations of the business.
• Engage, supervise, and mentor a minimum of 2.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) Martu staff to work on the Project.

Additionally, the General Manager will:

• Fulfil the role of Company Secretary, responsible for corporate governance, administration, reporting and compliance for BPL.
• Develop annual operational plans and budgets for approval by the BPL Board.
• Implement annual operational plans and take responsibility for the annual BPL budget within approved delegations.
• Engage and manage service providers through approved contracts to deliver the approved annual operational plans and budgets.
• Work with the BPL Board to develop and implement a 5-year Strategic Plan.
• Secure additional funding for BPL’s operations through private sector and Government programs, contracts, grants, and fee-for-service activities.
• Provide project, program, and annual reports and acquittals for all operations and related finances to the BPL Board and, as directed and/or approved by the BPL Board, to MNR, meetings of MNR members and TOs, and funding bodies.
• Build support for BPL by strengthening existing partnerships, securing new partnerships, and regularly engaging with the broader Birriliburu community.
• Seek and secure economic opportunities aligned with strategic objectives to further build and strengthen the business.
• Liaise with MNR, the parent company, as required by BPL Directors to ensure that BPL’s activities are reported to and align with the parent company directives.
• Perform other duties as directed and/or agreed by the BPL Board.

Essential Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

• Experience working with Aboriginal people or in a cross-cultural environment.
• Understanding of the importance of respect, relationships, and self-determination to Aboriginal people.
• High level of competence in applied corporate governance.
• Ability to mentor, teach, and lead, particularly in a community with varied literacy and numeracy skills.
• Experience in the field of heritage and land management, natural resources, and/or community development.
• Business and economic development skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to reflect and respond to changing circumstances.
• Ability to travel to and work in remote locations as required.
• High degree of computer literacy, including proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite and SharePoint.
• C-class driver’s licence.
• National Police Clearance or the ability to attain upon employment.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in the tourism sector and/or small business management.
• Current Senior First Aid Training.
• 4WD training and other machinery operations.

Further Background, Expectations and Aspirations Relating to the Position

The first General Manager for BPL has a unique opportunity to build on work already done to develop and grow a Martu-owned and led land management company based in central WA. The role will include:

A focus on employment and mentoring of Martu:

• Recruit Martu staff in full- and part-time positions for BPL’s administration and leadership roles.
• Train and maintain a pool of casual Martu employees.
• Source and facilitate the delivery of training for staff and directors.

Enhancing representation and governance:

• Work with Directors and Martu leaders to build organisational and governance skills.
• Develop and implement Strategic and Operational/Business Plans.
• Plan, organise, and run meetings, and develop and implement effective communication policies and strategies.
• Develop company policies and procedures to ensure corporate integrity and compliance.

Establishing administrative and operational capacity in Perth, Wiluna, and on-country:

• The GM will need to spend significant time in Wiluna and could, if keen, include time camping on the beautiful, remote Birriliburu country with Traditional Owners.
• The GM will also need to spend significant time in Perth, coordinating operations, services, contracts, and engaging with Government and the private sector on BPL plans and operations.
• The Board is open to discussing the location of the main office and operational centre/s for BPL.

Your Expression of Interest and the Board’s Process for Recruitment

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

The Board has established a 3-member recruitment committee to interview priority candidates within the next month.

A shortlist of candidates (2 or 3 people) will be required to attend an interview with the Board in Wiluna (travel etc. facilitated by BPL) in the 3rd week of March. Offers of appointment will be made that week, and the successful candidate is expected to commence work in early April.

All applications will be treated as strictly confidential.

Martu especially, but also all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are encouraged to apply.