Want to genuinely have impact?

The Hive leads a place-based Collective Impact initiative on Darug Country in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney that works to ensure all children in Mt Druitt start school well. We have 6000 children under 5 years old and 33% of those are considered ‘developmentally vulnerable’ when they start school. With a focus on early childhood development and learning, The Hive operates at suburb, post-code and system level to enable community capability and school readiness.

The Hive’s small and passionate team brings together the community, services, government and businesses to address locally identified priorities. We work collaboratively with others to create innovative solutions, advocate for change and bring community voice into the centre of that process.

If this is something that resonates with you, consider joining us.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are seeking a First Nations person who is experienced in working with Aboriginal community members and organisations with a commitment to achieving positive social change in partnership with local community. This role is open to being part time or full time, depending on the successful candidate.

The Hive is committed to a practice in the community of Mount Druitt that is guided by a meaningful partnership with First Nations community members and organisations. We understand that in order to engage with First Nations community and work to address systemic challenges for Aboriginal children and their families, we must be continuously listening to these communities and developing and improving our practice.

The Cultural Engagement Lead (CEL) will support the Hive team, and the broader 2770 Collective of services to strengthen its engagement with First Nations community members and organisations across Mount Druitt. The CEL will focus on building the cultural awareness and capacity of the Hive team and delivering community and stakeholder engagement. They will identify opportunities for developing and delivering cultural programs and events for children and their families, strengthening the cultural safety and inclusion practices of Hive programs and implementing community engagement events and activities. They will gather First Nations voices across community and ensure they are embedded in the Hive’s advocacy practices.

The CEL will sit on the Hive leadership team and the 2770 Collective governance group to support the Collective to work towards a stronger First Nations led framework, guided by principles of decolonizing practice.

This role requires high levels of initiative, strong community engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with the community. Intentional listening to community and partners is crucial to develop innovative responses and solutions to locally identified needs.

The Cultural Engagement Lead will be experienced in providing advice and guidance on cultural matters and building culturally safe and appropriate practices.

In this role, you will:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the Hive team and broader 2770 collective regarding cultural safety and inclusivity and strengthening First Nations engagement
• Lead innovative thinking on strategies to engage First Nations community through collaborative community engagement events and programs
• Provide cultural capacity building initiatives that strengthen the Hive’s engagement with First Nations community
• Draw on strong interpersonal skills in building authentic relationships with community, particularly First Nations children and families to understand and respond to their lived experiences, concerns and aspirations
• Take the lead on key advocacy projects, ensuring they are embedded in community voice
• Use a trauma-informed lens in both working alongside and understanding the needs of the community
• Align with the Hive’s place-based, community led approach and work to ensure community voice is at the centre of your work
• Work within a small team that promotes a dynamic, flexible and innovative working environment
• This role is flexible to be either part time or full time hours depending on the candidate.

ABOUT YOU:

• This a First Nations identified position. Applicants must identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• You have strong experience in First Nations community engagement and/or development.

• You have strong knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary issues affecting First Nations people.
• You have experience in implementing community events and/or activities that are culturally safe and inclusive for First Nations people and you are confident in guiding others to develop these practices

• You are passionate about social change and building trusting relationships with local community members and building their capacity for leadership
• You are creative and collaborative and enjoy working innovatively with a small team to design and develop new ideas
• You can work independently and take initiative.
• You are a strong communicator with children, families, community and local service providers and enjoy networking and building new connections and collaborative relationships.

Desirable:

• You have experience living and/or working in the Mount Druitt or surrounding area and have developed local connections and trust
• You are skilled at delivering training or educational workshops regarding cultural understanding and culturally safe practices

We are a child safe organisation and ensure our new hires are appropriately checked, including a Working With Children Check.

United Way Australia

ABOUT US:

We have been helping Australians in communities of disadvantage to reach their full potential for more than 60 years. Our model of change is to empower children and young people through flagship early childhood literacy development and youth employment initiatives. We also work to develop new approaches which challenge the status quo in tackling complex social issues, including our innovative business park model and collective impact work.

United Way Australia has a supportive and friendly work culture that wants to see each of us succeed. It offers salary sacrificing benefits associated with working with a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).

To submit your application, click Apply now.

Please contact Rubie on 0458 669 097 or at [email protected], using the subject line: Cultural Engagement Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs, for further information.

A position description is attached.