Fantastic opportunity for an experienced Senior Project Officer of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage to lead wildlife health and First Nations engagement, and work with the capacity building team on projects such as raising awareness about the impact of feral animals on wildlife, the diseases they carry and the impacts to people and the environment.

Who we are:

Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) is the coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia, and initially began as a national initiative of the Australian Government in 2002 [1]. Our mission is to lead national action on wildlife health to protect and enhance the natural environment, biodiversity, economy and animal and human health through strong partnerships.

WHA works with a network of government and private stakeholders across Australia to develop strong partnerships in order to better manage the adverse effects of wildlife diseases on Australia’s animal health industries, human health, biodiversity, trade and tourism. WHA participates in surveillance, investigation, monitoring, and management of wildlife health events. WHA helps protect Australia’s trade, human health, biodiversity and tourism.

About the role:

We are seeking a motivated Senior Project Officer to join our Capacity Building program in a fulltime role (38 hours per week). The Capacity Building Program’s role is to extend WHA’s wildlife health network by developing relationships with important groups, identified as a priority, but have not had the capacity to do so before. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and peoples have been identified as a high priority.

In this role, you will lead discussions and provide expert advice on how WHA can elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in wildlife health and integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing as part of our work. You will work directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, government agencies and industry for wildlife health issues. In addition, you will play a crucial role in managing, leading, delivering, and reporting on key WHA capacity building projects. You may be asked to work with other WHA teams on wildlife health issues. Whilst having expertise in wildlife health is an advantage, the main focus of this role is having the ability to work, engage and build mutually beneficial relationships with a wide range of people, organisations and communities for wildlife health.

WHA are committed to expanding engagement and supporting partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations for wildlife health. Read our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan to learn more about WHA’s commitment to reconciliation.

This position will only be open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants*.

An ideal candidate will possess the following, specific to the Senior Project Officer role:

Essential Selection Criteria

• Interest or experience in the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, caring for Country, First Nations perspectives of wildlife health, disease surveillance and management, and/or data sovereignty.
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage prior to interview^.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining genuine, respectful working relationships and collaborative partnerships with and for Australia’s First Nations, negotiating with internal and external stakeholders, and raising awareness to embed First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing.
• High level skills and experience in project management, accurate record keeping, fact finding, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
• Advanced computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office and ability to assist with website and database management.
• Interest and understanding of animal disease management including wildlife diseases, One Health and/or national and international policy development, such as in relation to wildlife rehabilitation/ carer roles, feral animal disease management an advantage.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communications.
• Demonstrated general administrative skills, including committee chairperson duties and support.
• Willingness and capacity to travel if required.

Common Criteria (WHA)

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Understanding of and commitment to conservation and environmental sustainability.
• Values and a commitment to a safe, secure and diverse workplace.
• Suitable home office setup.

Qualifications & Licences

• Demonstrated experience in public health, Aboriginal health, health promotion, social science, veterinary science, animal health, biological sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, or environmental health.
• A degree in an appropriate discipline is desirable
• A current Australian Drivers’ License.

We appreciate it can be challenging to strictly meet all selection criteria and encourage candidates who predominantly do, to consider applying.

Salary for this position is $108,749 per annum plus 11.5% superannuation.

WHA is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to fostering a culturally safe, inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applicants to share any access requirements or adjustments needed during the recruitment and selection process.

WHA operates a virtual office and offers the flexibility of remote working arrangements.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia.

Before applying, please obtain a copy of the full position description and application guidelines and confirm your First Nations heritage, by contacting Trish Hennessy-Hawks, Head of Administration, People & Culture via email: [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Project Officer (Identified) enquiry via EthicalJobs. Please direct any specific queries regarding the position to Jo Walker on 02 8251 2330 or [email protected].

You can find out more about Wildlife Health Australia by visiting our website: www.wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au.

The applications close at 9am AEDT on the closing date.

*The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and s 27 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT), s 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), s 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), s 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), ss 25 and 26 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas), s 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), s 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), s 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) andunder the provisions of s 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

^Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage prior to interview. A confirmation must stipulate that a person:

1. is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
2. identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
3. is accepted as such by the community in which they live, or formerly lived.

Confirmation of Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander heritage can be provided by a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and bodies, and commonly include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. formal documentation confirming their Indigenous heritage from their local registered Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community organisation, with a Common Seal or printed on the organisation’s letterhead and will reference the three criteria listed above.
2. If an applicant has difficulty in obtaining a confirmation document from their local community, they may present:
3. 1. • Proof of current membership of a Local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Land Council or membership of the Local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Committee, or
      • References from at least two Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community representatives with a signed Statutory Declaration confirming they meet the three criteria listed above.

[1] Established as the Australian Wildlife Health Network in 2002, subsequently incorporated and commenced trading as Wildlife Health Australia in 2013.