• Requisition Number: 111790
• Position Number/s: 60082553
• Location: Canberra; Sydney; Darwin; Brisbane; Cairns; Adelaide; Hobart; Melbourne; Perth  
• Division: People & Culture  
• Branch: People Services  
• Section: Culture, Diversity and Inclusion  
• Security Classification: Baseline Vetting 
• Salary: $81,879.00 to $96,873.00  
• Contact: Jamie Hardy Phone: 0428 523 005
• Period of Vacancy: Ongoing

Newly created position. Flexible location. Opportunity to make a difference.

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

About the Department of Home Affairs:

Be part of something bigger: contribute to building a secure Australia that is prosperous, open and united.

Join a connected team of professionals, where you can be your authentic self; grow your career while making time for all parts of your life. 

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for centrally coordinated strategy and policy leadership in relation to domestic national security arrangements, law enforcement, emergency management, counter-terrorism, social cohesion, the integrity of our border and the resilience of our national infrastructure.

The Australian Border Force, an operationally independent body within the Department of Home Affairs, is Australia's frontline border law enforcement agency and Australia's customs service. The Australian Border Force's mission is to protect Australia's border and facilitate the legitimate movement of people and goods across it. 

About us:

The People Services Branch drives and delivers human resource (HR) services for the Department, specifically in relation to; rehabilitation and compensation management; learning and development; culture, diversity and inclusion; workforce behaviours; and employee conditions and relocations.

The Culture, Diversity and Inclusion (CD&I) Section drives, educates and promotes programs, initiatives and events to improve upon organisational culture within the Department. The Section commits to building and valuing a diverse, professional and empowered workforce that authentically represents the community we serve.

What is the job?

This vacancy is an Affirmative Measures opportunity open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people only. Our people are our biggest asset and this position will help to support, grow and look after the people who keep Australia prosperous, secure and united.

The First Nations Liaison Officer is a newly created position and an opportunity to provide support and expertise regarding the attraction, recruitment, retention, and professional development of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff. As the First Nations Liaison Officer, you will provide strategic advice on First Nations employment, corporate guidance on cultural issues and pastoral care to our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.

This is an exciting opportunity to build the organisation's cultural capability and safety for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees and aligns to the Department's Reconciliation Action Plan.

The role can be performed in a flexible location depending on the preferred candidate, meaning you can meet local cultural commitments. You will be required to undertake interstate travel as a requirement of this role.

Who are we looking for?

Confident communicator and stakeholder engagement skills – You have an understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, which assists you to communicate sensitively and effectively to a broad range of audiences. Your polished communication and interpersonal skills, as well as your ability to build strong working relationships, are key to this role. You thrive on building and maintaining strong networks, including representing the Department at various internal and external forums.

• Strong writer – Sound verbal and written communication skills and ability to interpret, convey and produce information in a clear and concise manner.
• Collaborator – You are a collaborator and team player. You are flexible and work with others to achieve a common goal, commit to valuing differences, and share knowledge and experiences.
• High achiever – You are self-driven and skilled at both working in a team, and independently, to accomplish individual and team goals. You are committed to building professional expertise and are accountable for managing work projects to achieve outcomes.

What will you do?

• Provide pastoral care and support to the Department’s First Nations employees
• Educate managers and staff on First Nations protocols
• Provide human resource advice and career support to employees and managers
• Develop mutually beneficial working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Work effectively, with limited direction, and engage in identifying priorities and timelines to ensure the Department’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, as identified in the Reconciliation Action Plan, are implemented and well promoted
• Liaise and communicate with both internal and external stakeholders on diversity and inclusion initiatives and activities
• Represent the Department at HR forums.

What else can we offer?

• Professional development opportunities focused on your individual career goals
• Networking opportunities across the department and wider APS
• Generous pay and conditions, including cultural leave provisions
• Flexible and remote working arrangements
• Inclusive working environment that recognises the value of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures, perspectives, and lived experience

to apply

Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage.

A confirmation must stipulate that a person:

• Is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
• Is accepted as such by the community in which they live, or formerly lived.

Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage can be provided by a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and bodies, and commonly include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Councils
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations can be incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006, the Corporations Act 2001, or other states and territory legislation).
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical services

Other documents will be considered in individual circumstances.

To be eligible to work in some roles, you may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any COVID-19 booster dose to maintain an 'up-to-date' status). Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation, if a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable period, they may not be offered that role. 

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

Please view the Position Description attached below. 

For general enquiries, please contact Jamie Hardy at the Aboriginal Employment Strategy on 0428 523 005.

If you have identified as having a disability, please indicate whether you require any support throughout the selection process. For further information please contact Recruitment: [email protected], using the subject line: First Nations Liaison Officer - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Remuneration: The Department offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

Information about employment in the Department of Home Affairs, and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website.