Advisers, First Nations Policy Branch (Affirmative Measures Indigenous)

About our team

The First Nations Policy Branch advises the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and portfolio ministers on issues that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and enabling the implementation of culturally responsive solutions.

We work closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, other Commonwealth departments, state and territory governments, the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks) and other stakeholders to ensure policy initiatives meet the Government’s objectives and deliver on its commitment to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What you’ll be doing

The First Nations Policy Branch has a number of APS5 and APS6 roles working on diverse policy and stakeholder management priorities in the Closing the Gap and Culture; and Social and Economic Policy teams.

Key roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing considered and timely advice on Closing the Gap and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy for the Prime Minister, Ministers, Assistant Ministers and PM&C senior executive
• Establishing and building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Providing guidance and advice to Commonwealth agencies and advocating for a whole-of-government approach to issues
• Contributing to key work streams and projects to support delivery of Closing the Gap Priority Reforms within PM&C and across the APS
• Coordinating across other Central Agencies to prepare advice to Cabinet on First Nations Budget proposals
• Driving a positive, innovative, inclusive and culturally safe environment across the branch
• Willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Why you’re the ideal candidate

The First Nations Policy Branch is seeking highly motivated candidates who thrive in busy, dynamic environments.

To fill the roles, we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following competencies:

• A high level of cultural competency, including:
  • A thorough understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities
  • Possesses the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • A commitment to continuous development of cultural competency
• Good judgement to make informed and balanced decisions – Well-developed organisational skills, including adapting to change, working with limited direction and managing competing priorities
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and build develop and maintain strong working relationships
• Well-developed research, analytical and writing skills, as well as an ability to work independently or under limited guidance on complex tasks
• A good understanding, or the ability to rapidly acquire understanding of, the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the policy intersections/impact at a local, state and national level
• A commitment to contributing to a team environment, which embraces collaboration, diversity of views, and acts inclusively to improve advice and solutions.

Experience and/or formal qualifications in one or more of the following are desirable:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, project management or program delivery, budget policy and coordination, social science research, organisational cultural capability, cultural safety models and frameworks, change management approaches, or monitoring and evaluation.

We encourage you to highlight this experience and/or qualification in your resume and/or application.

Flexibility arrangements

At PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of ‘how can we make this work?’ and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.

Eligibility

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the ‘Racial Discrimination Act 1975’. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people.

• To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
• The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
• The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you!  Submit an online application through the Apply link by 07-Oct-2024 at 11:30pm AEST/AEDT. 

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