• $74-79k per annum (depending on experience) + 10% Superannuation
• Part-time (0.8 FTE, 30.4 hours per week),1 year Fixed Term Contract
• Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging Option available

DJAARA is looking for a Policy Officer to develop and support implementation of the Groups position on climate change. The purpose of the role is to lead the development of a Dja Dja Wurrung Group Climate Change Policy. As part of the Dhelkunya Dja Policy team, the position will ensure the Dhelkunya Dja goals are reflected in Dja Dja Wurrung and Government policy and strategy. The team plays a key role in supporting genuine partnerships and meaningful engagement between Djaara and Government across all areas of the Dhelkunya Dja Country Plan

Overview of the Corporation

Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC) actively works to progress the aspirations of the Dja Dja Wurrung (DDW) community. It is incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) and is regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Indigenous Corporations. Established in 2004, the principal objectives of the Corporation are to:

• Promote the health and wellbeing of the DDW People; and
• Protect and promote the laws, culture, property rights and human rights of the DDW People.

DDWCAC is a Registered Aboriginal Party with the responsibility to protect, manage and preserve DDW cultural heritage, including tasks associated with Cultural Heritage Management Plans and ceremonies such as Welcome to Country and Smoking.

In 2013, the DDW People achieved a Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) with the State of Victoria, which formally recognises the DDW people as the traditional owners for part of Central Victoria. The DDW people nominated the DDWCAC as the ‘traditional owner group entity’ for the purpose of the settlement, meaning it holds and manages the settlement on behalf of the DDW people.

To know more about DJAARA, visit our website: https://djadjawurrung.com.au/.

Accountabilities

• Develop a Dja Dja Wurrung Group position on climate change and articulate Dja Dja Wurrung aspirations aligned with the Dhelkunya Dja Country Plan to heal Country in the context of a changing climate.
• Engage Dja Dja Wurrung members through a range of methods to articulate a Dja Dja Wurrung vision related to climate change.
• Review First Nations’ approaches domestically and internationally of responding to contemporary climate change.
• Liaise across Dja Dja Wurrung Group to develop the climate change policy with an awareness of future implementation requirements including resourcing and capacity building.
• Engage external stakeholders to embed Djaara climate change position into government policy and strategy.
• Participate in the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Green Wedge and Agricultural Land project; coordinate Djaara involvement in the project and capacity building in agricultural land-use planning.
• Perform other activities and provide project support to the team and Manager as needed.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Commitment to Djaara self-determination.
2. Experience and understanding of policy and strategy within government and/or the Indigenous sector.
3. Qualification and/or years of experience in the areas of the environment, climate change, land management, social science or similar.
4. Experience and/or interest in agricultural land use and planning and the ability/interest to build DJAARA’s involvement and capacity these topics.
5. Excellent research and analytical skills including the development of high quality written and verbal communication and materials.
6. Experience in sensitively engaging with First Nations’ peoples.