About the Organisation

We are an Australian Government statutory authority. The Minister responsible for Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and it sits within the portfolio of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

We are Australia’s only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history, cultures, and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia. We house the world’s most important and extensive collection of cultural information and material and we provide leadership, publish and promote greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We create opportunities for people over the world to engage with and be transformed by the knowledge, the culture and the story of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. We are Australia’s national institution for leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. (ref: aiatsis.gov.au).

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Director of Research and Education, the Director of Research – Indigenous Country and Governance will be an integral part of the AIATSIS leadership group and will work collaboratively across AIATSIS to strategically shape the organisation’s culture and future direction.

Core accountabilities of the role include:

• Leadership of the Native Title Research Unit
• Leadership in research, priority setting and program design

• Responsibility for AIATSIS research and policy work in areas of native title and traditional ownership, land and water and caring for country, governance
• Treaty and agreement making and recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights in Australian law and society
• Carriage of the biennial National Native Title Conference
• Developing strategic partnerships and managing stakeholders in native title and related areas

About you

You will be an experienced and credentialled leader with a track record that showcases your ability to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities. To be successful in this role you will be:

• A dynamic, motivated and experienced project manager ready to join the agency
• Able to show experience working in a role which is fast paced and challenging
• Confident to deliver outcomes in a complex stakeholder setting
• An experienced researcher
• Adept with working collaboratively across multiple organisations while bringing the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the table
• An experienced team leader with an ability to model and coach cultural competency
• Able to write well and express yourself clearly and with confidence

Key Selection Criteria

Essential Requirements

1. Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. Please note: your application will not be considered if you do not clearly identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person under the Special Measures under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Key Position Requirements

1. Cultural competency including an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities including policy matters related to the role. This covers the ability to engage and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, create a culturally inclusive workplace and to coach cultural competency in others.
2. Demonstrated leadership in research and program management, including designing programs of work, working collaboratively across programs, managing project teams and resources, and seeing projects through to completion.
3. Ability to lead and inspire a team through excellent people management, commitment to organisational culture and resilience and capability to manage change.
4. Demonstrated excellent written and analytical skills and a capacity to communicate ideas with influence and adapt to audiences.
5. Strong networks with Indigenous researchers, organisations and stakeholders relevant to the role and an ability to bring them to bear to support the work of AIATSIS, including experience developing strategic partnerships and attracting high levels of funding.

Desirable Requirements

1. Specialist knowledge and/or experience in native title.

What we can offer you

• An ongoing EL2 leader appointment
• An attractive salary
• Approval may be granted to maintain the annual salary for an existing Australian Public Service employee transferring to the Institute whose current annual salary exceeds the above salary range
• Opportunities for further education, professional development and study assistance
• A supportive learning environment
• Flexible working conditions
• Competitive leave entitlements
• Health and wellbeing programs

How to get more information

Additional information is available in the role description or by contacting the team at Pipeline Talent.

Megan Ingram

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Pipeline Talent Pty Ltd

02 8001 6603 | 0419 559 25