Join a Traditional Owner-led initiative driving systems change towards an empowered future for a Healthy Reef and Healthy People!

• Location: Flexible, preference for Queensland within the Reef catchment
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Tenure: Fixed term contract to 31 March 2028
• Identified Position: Preference for qualified Reef Traditional Owners, but open to other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

About ReefTO

The Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce (ReefTO) is a Traditional Owner-led initiative dedicated to the health, management, and protection of the Great Barrier Reef. ReefTO honours the decades of work by Elders to assert their cultural authority and rights to sea country and to drive genuine partnerships across the Reef.

Guided by the Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan (TO Implementation Plan), ReefTO focuses on six critical areas: climate change, land & coast, sea country, partnerships and capacity, knowledge systems, and investment.

ReefTO has three key objectives over the next 2-3 years:

• Engage with Traditional Owners to establish a Sea Country Alliance.
• Oversee strategic policy and capacity building actions in the TO Implementation Plan.
• Monitor and report on the delivery of actions in the TO Implementation Plan.

ReefTO is hosted by Pollination Foundation until a Sea Country Alliance is set up.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic Director, Programs & Engagement to join ReefTO and drive transformational systems change for Reef Traditional Owners.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Director, Programs & Engagement is a key position that will support ReefTO to deliver on its three key objectives. The Director, Programs & Engagement will build and lead a dynamic, culturally inclusive team to support engagement and outreach with Traditional Owners in the Reef catchment to capture options and preferences for what a Sea Country Alliance could look like.

Besides leading the development and delivery of the Engagement Plan, this position will also oversee development and delivery of other programs and initiatives, such as actions in the TO Implementation Plan, a youth program and the planning of events to bring Traditional Owners together. They will be supported by team members in operationalising and delivering these priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an Engagement Plan in collaboration with the General Manager and the ReefTO Taskforce to gather Traditional Owners' views on a Sea Country Alliance.
• Build, lead and manage an Engagement and Outreach team to deliver regional engagement activities with Reef Traditional Owners to ensure their perspectives shape the development of future options for a Sea Country Alliance.
• Establish strategies to collect, analyse, and use data from engagement sessions for informed decision-making.
• Maintain a strong understanding of Traditional Owners’ aspirations to guide policy development.
• Develop and deliver other priority initiatives, such as a youth program and key actions in the TO Implementation Plan.
• Oversee the planning and execution of events that bring Traditional Owners together for key discussions, including a Sea Country Summit in 2026.
• Develop and manage budgets, ensuring effective monitoring and reporting.
• Implement Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols, including data protection and consent procedures.
• Prepare progress and performance reports on implementation and outcomes.
• Contribute to policy development, risk management, and organisational procedures.
• Foster partnerships with Indigenous-led, government, and non-government organisations.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Deep understanding of Reef Traditional Owners’ aspirations and relevant issues.
• Demonstrated evidence of strong people management skills and ability to lead a culturally diverse team.
• Strong experience in high-level program management, operations and budgeting.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key partners.

Workplace Culture

ReefTO promotes a positive, flexible, and supportive work culture, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Flexible working arrangements are supported, including working from home and job share arrangements.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about driving systems change and supporting Reef Traditional Owners, we’d love to hear from you.

Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people will be considered for this role.

For a detailed position description and what ReefTO is looking for in a candidate, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Director - Programs & Engagement - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.