About HeartKids

HeartKids is the only national not-for-profit organisation solely focused on supporting and advocating for all people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).

HeartKids are champions of the heart as Australia’s leading Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD) charity, and the only not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and advocating for families impacted by CoHD.

We bring care, connection and compassion to those living with CoHD. As CoHD is for life we’re a companion for every step of the journey, making holistic care possible with access to tailored information, resources, and support.

About this role

The Aboriginal and Community Engagement Manager plays a pivotal role in fostering strong relationships and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities and individuals nationally.

The role will lead engaging, consulting, and co-design initiatives with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop educational resources related to childhood-onset heart disease and rheumatic heart disease and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people impacted by RHD both within the organisation and across other stakeholder relationships.

Additionally, the role contributes to increasing HeartKids’ footprint in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, builds the capacity of the organisation to deliver resources and information in a culturally safe and responsive way and supports the development and launch of HeartKids' Reconciliation Action Plan, the implementation of the HeartKids Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Strategy and delivery of the HeartKids Cultural Capability Toolkit.

Key responsibilities

• Building and maintaining meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, stakeholders, and individuals nationally
• Engaging in open and respectful processes to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives are heard, valued and embedded across our work
• Collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to co-design initiatives that address the unique needs and challenges related to childhood heart disease, with a focus on acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
• Monitoring current and future Project Agreements and MoUs with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled organisations.
• Developing educational resources aimed at raising awareness and understanding of child heart disease and rheumatic heart disease within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Supporting the staff training suite to enhance cultural competency and support the delivery of culturally sensitive services.
• Implementing the HeartKids Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Strategy within the organisation.
• Supporting the development and launch of the HeartKids Reconciliation Action Plan, to ensure it aligns with HeartKids' commitment to reconciliation and the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Collaborating with areas of responsibility to support the review of internal policies, procedures and practices to integrate cultural awareness and sensitivity and to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives are embedded and cultural protocols and traditions are valued

Note, this is a contract role until June 2025, with unconfirmed potential to extend. For a full copy of the position description please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Requirements

• Current police check and Working With Children Check
• This role may require some interstate travel