• Full time, Fixed Term – 2 Years
• Location: Adelaide. South Australia
• Salary range $155,000 - $165,000 + super & salary packaging options

In this position, it is a genuine occupational requirement that this position be filled by an Aboriginal person. Classified under: Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). South Australian Aboriginal community members are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Position:

The inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wakwakurna Kanyini will lead a newly established community-controlled peak body for Aboriginal children and families in South Australia.As the representative voice for its members, the position of CEO will enhance and develop the reputation of Wakwakurna Kanyini, embedding its position as a trusted and informed peak body.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has credible and proven experience in demonstrating and understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and diversity across communities in SA.
• Has significant experience in a Senior Executive position, including strategic leadership of an organisation and staff and the capacity to manage budgets and oversee financial reporting.
• Has excellent communication, media and public speaking skills, and experience with demonstrated advocacy skills, including the ability to engage with and influence government.
• Has demonstrated analytical skills with deep knowledge of the social and economic policy environment in Australia, and its impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
• Are outcomes oriented and have the capacity to deliver meaningful results while valuing culture, difference and diversity.
• Cultivates a positive organisational culture, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, and recognition of the collective contributions of staff to achieve the organisations purpose.

About Wakwakurna Kanyini:

South Australian Aboriginal communities have a proud history of challenging the harmful impacts of the invasion and colonisation of Aboriginal land and standing strong in the face of continued disruptions to Aboriginal ways of being, doing, and knowing. In the context of many long and hope-inspired stories of survival, South Australian Aboriginal peoples advocating for the rights of Aboriginal children and families continues in 2024 and beyond, through the establishment of Wakwakurna Kanyini, a community controlled peak body for South Australian Aboriginal Children and Families.

South Australian Aboriginal community stakeholders and organisations have been calling for a peak body for Aboriginal children and families in South Australia for many decades. The establishment of Wakwakurna Kanyini builds on this extensive history of community-led advocacy. Wakwakurna Kanyini will agitate and advocate for change at the highest level, whilst at all times ensuring close connection to the needs and aspirations of grassroots Aboriginal communities in South Australia. Wakwakurna Kanyini will be a voice for children, and will speak truth to power, working to address injustice, drive systemic reform, and contribute to a better future for Aboriginal children and families in South Australia.

Accordingly, the purpose of Wakwakurna Kanyini, as agreed by South Australian Aboriginal stakeholders, and affirmed by the Establishment Steering Committee is:

‘to be the leading community voice for our children in South Australia, guiding with cultural authority, upholding our rights to ensure that they grow up strong, with purpose and identity, in our families and connected to our community, culture, spirituality and Country’

The establishment process has begun with the appointment of a steering committee of Aboriginal community members who are guiding the process to establish Wakwakurna Kanyini. This steering committee will become the inaugural council of the organisation and will provide direction to the CEO and initial staff.

Partnership with SNAICC and SAACCON

Guided by the steering committee, SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children (SNAICC), in partnership with the SA Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON), is working to facilitate the establishment of Wakwakurna Kanyini. Wakwakurna Kanyini will be led by Aboriginal people in South Australia. Its establishment follows a state-wide design process completed in 2022.

SNAICC will be supporting the recruitment process for this position alongside the Establishment Steering Committee.

Initial inquiries can be made to [email protected], using the subject line: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Wakwakurna Kanyini - Identified Position enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

SNAICC is committed to everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children. Successful applicants are required to adhere to our Child safe practices and policies.

SNAICC reserves the right to commence recruitment proceedings immediately and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SNAICC does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies. Please be advised that SNAICC shall not be responsible for any fees associated with unsolicited resumes submitted outside of its recruitment process.