About the Treaty Authority

The Treaty Authority is an independent entity with a mandate to facilitate the formation of treaties between the State of Victoria and First Peoples in Victoria.

The Treaty Authority’s work is grounded in Aboriginal culture, lore and law and led collectively by a panel of five Members committed to Aboriginal self-determination and empowerment. It engages with a broad cross-section of stakeholders including the State of Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly and Traditional Owners in Victoria.

The objects of the Treaty Authority’s work are to:

• Facilitate the journey towards reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance between First Peoples and other people of the State and to

• Maintain, promote and advance the self-determination and empowerment, culture and human rights of First Peoples.

About the Role

The Manager of Treaty Negotiations will lead the team that administers the Treaty Authority’s Negotiations Database and case manages the facilitation of Treaty negotiations, including support to parties and strategic and expert advice to the Director of Agreement-Making, CEO and Treaty Authority Members on decisions and actions under the Treaty Negotiation Framework.

As an integral part of the Agreement-making team, this role supports Treaty Authority Members to administer the Treaty Negotiation Framework, facilitate and oversee Treaty negotiations and resolve disputes. This position will be responsible for building the Treaty Authority’s negotiation facilitation function and accountable for the development, effective management and continuous improvement of negotiations systems, including the Negotiations Database. It will be responsible for the proper administration of negotiations under the Treaty Negotiation Framework in a legally compliant and culturally strong way.

The successful candidate will possess extensive experience (minimum 5 years) in relevant areas such as Indigenous legal issues, dispute resolution, administration of legal frameworks and/or human rights and be passionate about being part of a reform to benefit First Peoples in Victoria.

This is a full-time permanent role, based at our offices in Collingwood.

Key Duties

• Lead the team that conducts intake and case management and provides support to parties as they participate in the Treaty process.
• Provide strategic and expert advice on negotiations based on advanced expertise and experience, including delivery of briefs on highly complex matters to the Director of Agreement-Making, CEO and Treaty Authority Members.
• Ensure the team delivers high-quality and culturally strong support to Traditional Owner Groups and First Peoples.
• Ensure the team identifies any supports needed by First Peoples’ and develops systematic solutions to address them.
• Design and implement an effective, culturally strong and legally compliant negotiations function, ensuring it is delivered in accordance with service standards and within budget.
• Lead a reflective practice, evaluation and continuous improvement of the negotiations function, providing regular reports to Members.
• Lead the development and ensure the delivery of effective interventions, including capacity building to support parties to participate in negotiations.
• Oversee and manage the Treaty Negotiation team’s relationships with Traditional Owner Groups and other external stakeholders.
• Actively promote and advocate the values, vision and initiatives of the Treaty Authority within and outside the organisation, building on the positive reputation of the Treaty Authority.
• Play a leadership role in fostering positive team engagement and inspire an inclusive and high-performing culture across the Treaty Authority.

Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as social or public policy, law, social science and/or substantial experience in managing processes within legal and administrative frameworks.
• Extensive experience in relevant areas such as Indigenous legal issues, negotiation, dispute resolution, administration of legal or administrative frameworks and/or human rights (minimum 5 years).
• Lived experience or experience working with Aboriginal communities preferably in Victoria, with sound working knowledge of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, Traditional Owner groups, legislative and regulatory regimes, Aboriginal histories and leaders, machinery of government and the Victorian Public Service.
• Proven experience in developing, effectively managing and continuously improving systems within in an administrative or legal framework.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills, including the ability to simplify and synthesize complex issues for diverse audiences.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively, foster strong relationships and work effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal community and other stakeholders.
• People leadership experience and the ability to coach and develop direct reports.
• Dedicated and passionate about using skills and experience to deliver agreements between Traditional Owner Groups and between First Peoples’ and the State in Treaty processes.
• Demonstrated interest in and an appreciation of a range of different cultures and actively seeks to understand and effectively address the issues and views of others.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to work proactively and collaboratively as part of a team.

This position is open to everyone, however the nature of the Treaty Authority’s work means we strongly encourage First Peoples to apply.

This position is commensurate with a VPS6.2 range starting at a salary of $152,773 plus super, depending on the successful applicant’s experience.