First Nations Project Officer
What will you do?Service Delivery• Develop and oversee the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), ensuring an integrated whole of Council and community approach to reconciliation that links with state and federal objectives.
• Contribute to the implementation of the RAP across Council. Support work teams to realise opportunities and navigate challenges regarding the implementation of actions within the RAP.
• Monitor and report on outcomes in accordance with Council and Reconciliation Australia requirements.
Systems and processes• Develop and implement work systems, practices and processes that enable responsive and flexible customer service.
• Utilise project management skills to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery in accordance with Service Unit Plan requirements.
• Conduct research and analysis of information to inform program development, policy and practice as it relates to First Nations people.
People• Share knowledge and understanding of First Nations communities and diverse cultures with others.
• Participate in activities that develop yourself and your team.
• Build, maintain and support internal and external relationships, partnerships and networks.
• Build organisational capability to foster a supportive and culturally inclusive environment to enhance First Nations outcomes.
What are the Key Responsibilities?Service delivery• Apply community development principles to strengthen Council’s and the community’s capacity to understand and respond to items of importance to local First Nations community and provide appropriate supports, including specialist advice and guidance, collaborative planning, networking, community education and advocacy.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of the RAP, reporting in accordance with Council and Reconciliation Australia requirements.
• Deliver key actions contained within the Council Plan and RAP within an established budget and timeframe.
• Conduct research and analysis to inform Council’s reconciliation practices. This will include undertaking consultation and community engagement activities and reporting on research and engagement outcomes.
• Assist with the provision of training and support to staff to build organisational capacity for evidence-based planning and decision making.
• Build relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders to improve understanding of First Nations cultural heritage, health and wellbeing including cultural health, respect and recognition.
• Convene or represent Council on relevant networks and committees.
Systems and process• Deliver outputs and outcomes using Council’s existing applications, systems and process.
• Develop and implement work systems, practices and processes that support responsive and flexible customer service and are financially responsible.
• Implement robust and accountable information management practices.
• Maintain records in an organised, accurate and timely manner.
• Contribute to cultural strengthening across the organisation and community to develop sustainable approaches of building organisational and individual cultural capacity on First Nations cultural heritage, health and wellbeing including cultural health, respect and recognition.
• Provide strategic advice and direction to Council Officers, Management, Council and community regarding Council’s RAP and reconciliation opportunities and challenges more broadly.
People• Contribute and be an active member of a high performing team.
• Engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. At times, this may require attendance at offsite meetings and events outside normal working hours.
• Be responsible for your own professional development through Council’s professional development program.
• Share experience and technical knowledge and information with others.
Complete other duties as necessary within the scope of employee’s skills, competence and training.
• Identify and seek funding for relevant projects including preparing grant submissions.
What are the key requirements?
Accountability and extent of authority
• Responsible for the implementation of nominated actions set out in the Council Plan, RAP and other strategic plans with the direction of the Coordinator Social Planning and Community Strengthening.
• Responsible for the reporting of accurate and timely information relating to the needs of the local First Nations community.
• Responsible for consulting with internal and external stakeholders and community members to provide advice on First Nations issues within the scope of Council’s role.
• Support building of organisational capability to foster a supportive and culturally inclusive environment to improve understanding of First Nations cultural heritage, health and wellbeing including cultural health, respect and recognition.
• Supporting relevant Council committees, such as the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Consultations.
Judgement and decision making
• Ability to solve problems by using methods and procedures developed from Social Planning/ Community development theory.
• Under direction of the Coordinator Social Planning and Community Strengthening, assist with the review and input into development of policies, procedures and strategies, and to make recommendations on future directions of service delivery and policy changes.
• Ability to make judgments and determine issues relating to areas of responsibility of the position.
• Implement projects in an integrated manner within existing best work practices/procedures.
• Ensure that sound and timely advice is provided to the Coordinator Social
Planning and Community Strengthening and other stakeholders.
• Ability to make effective decisions within the boundaries of defined role.
• Ability to offer guidance and advice where possible.
Specialist knowledge and skills• Understanding of policies, good practice and issues relating to First Nations communities.
• Well-developed relationships with Victorian First Nations communities, including Traditional Owner groups, First Nations business sector and First Nations government and non-government services.