Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Australians Agency

Who we are

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is committed to improving the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The NIAA supports Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and the delivery of the Government's priorities for Indigenous Australians, including working with the Special Envoy for Remote Australia, Ms Marion Scrymgour MP.

The NIAA influences policy development and delivery across the Australian Government and leverages partnerships with State and Territory and local governments, peak bodies and service providers, and Indigenous communities to improve outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It is a large agency (approximately 1500 staff) with a diverse and dispersed workforce across approximately 70 urban, regional and remote locations. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff make up a quarter of the NIAA's workforce, and nearly 50% of the senior executive service. Just over half of NIAA's workforce is based outside of Canberra.

What we do

The NIAA is responsible for:

• leading and coordinating Commonwealth policy development, program design and implementation and service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Indigenous Australians (the Minister) on whole-of-government priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• leading and coordinating the development and implementation of Australia's Closing the Gap targets in partnership with State/Territory and Local Governments and Indigenous Australians
• leading Commonwealth activities to promote reconciliation.

You can read the full list of responsibilities in the Executive Order. Read our Corporate Plan to find out more about our priorities and key activities.

About the role

The CEO is a full-time office, created in accordance with sections 65 to 69 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) and heads the NIAA. The NIAA sits within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio, and reports to the Minister and the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The CEO of the NIAA is responsible for leading policy, program and delivery reform in line with the Government's commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

The CEO will lead the NIAA as a contemporary, responsive and fit-for-purpose organisation that delivers on Government's priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through high quality leadership and oversight. The CEO will support effective decision making to ensure the NIAA co-designs and delivers substantial reform. The CEO's influence and advice is critical across government.

The NIAA leads the design, implementation and delivery of policies, strategies and programs that:

• deliver economic empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including through remote employment and housing programs
• improve mental health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• assist in the maintenance of cultural expression and conservation, and allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate equally in the economic and social life of the nation
• improve the capabilities of Indigenous organisations, and enhance regional governance and local decision-making.

The CEO will lead the Commonwealth Government implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap through partnership and engagement with the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations, other Commonwealth portfolios, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, and state and territory governments. This position has a variety of complex and often interrelated policy areas, spanning economic and social matters impacting the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for an outstanding CEO with responsibility for the overall strategic direction, governance, performance and policy leadership of the NIAA.

Our ideal candidate will:

• demonstrate exceptional cultural capability and respect
• be committed to the implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the Priority Reforms
• be focussed on ensuring economic empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities
• be agile to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities, while driving the strategic priorities for the Government and the NIAA
• be passionate about better understanding the key issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• have well-developed organisational and influencing skills
• think strategically, have strong business acumen, be resilient and forward-looking
• be adept at engaging with senior public and private sector stakeholders to build and sustain relationships showing cross-cultural competency
• exhibit strong judgement and professionalism
• demonstrate commitment to and practice of values based leadership that inspires, empowers, and drives positive change.

Selection criteria

The successful candidate for the CEO of the NIAA role must demonstrate how they meet the criteria outlined below.

1. Demonstrates capacity to deliver improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

• a strong understanding of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and capacity to deliver the Government's commitments, including implementation of the four Priority Reforms
• the capacity to deliver the Government's First Nations policy priorities, including the First Nations economic empowerment agenda, and critical services in remote Australia including housing, rangers and food security
• effectively prioritises and mobilises resources to deliver the Government's First Nations agenda nationally, including through persuasive negotiation and facilitating partnerships

2. Demonstrates exceptional cultural capability and respect

• demonstrated ability to work, both formally and informally, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, Traditional Owners, community-controlled organisations and sector peaks
• understanding of the issues that are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

3. Demonstrates high level leadership and vision

• sets a strategic vision and inspires others to achieve this
• innovative in dealing with issues
• articulates a clear direction for their organisation

4. Manages large and/or complex operations

• achieves results within the context of organisational and/or Government policy
• strong people and stakeholder management skills
• strong financial management, ensuring efficient, effective and ethical use of resources
• understanding of and commitment to quality organisational governance

5. Works with others to meet objectives

• operates collaboratively with others to meet organisational objectives
• cultivates productive relationships
• listens to people and values different perspectives

6. High level of judgement

7. Demonstrates a high standard of professional and personal integrity and capacity to promote these in an organisation.

Identified Position

This position is Identified which signifies that the role has strong involvement in matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This position has direct engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers, and is involved in the development of programmes and policy. You will require a high level of cultural competency, including:

• demonstrated understanding of the matters impacting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• demonstrated high level capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.

Remuneration and terms and conditions

The remuneration of the CEO is determined by the independent Remuneration Tribunal. The Remuneration Tribunal has determined that the current total remuneration for the CEO is $627,700 per year, effective from 1 July 2025. (see Remuneration Tribunal).

The terms and conditions of appointment will be as specified in a Letter of Appointment to be issued following appointment by the Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Workplace Health and Safety Advice

The CEO is considered an Officer under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and is required to exercise due diligence in complying with their obligations under this Act.

Delegation Advice

The CEO is required to exercise the appropriate powers, authority, delegations and discretions under the relevant legislation including the Public Service Act 1999 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

The CEO will also be subject to other Commonwealth legislation, including but not limited to, the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Archives Act 1983.

Eligibility

You'll need to be an Australian Citizen to work for NIAA.

You'll need to agree to pre-employment screening checks to work for NIAA. You will be required to obtain and maintain a Security clearance at Negative Vetting 2. We may also conduct further integrity checks during your employment.

Conflict of Interest

If at any time prior to the appointment, an actual or potential conflict of interest concerning itself or a related entity arises or may arise for any applicant, they should immediately notify the contact officer.

This includes any professional, commercial or personal relationships with a member of the panel or if the applicant has a relationship with, and/or obligations to, an organisation or issue which would affect, or be perceived to affect, the performance of the role and/or could bring disrepute to the office of CEO.

If a conflict of interest is identified PM&C may:

• exclude the application from further consideration;
• enter into discussions to seek to resolve such conflict of interest; or
• take any other action as it considers appropriate.

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, please submit an online application through the PM&C Current Opportunities by 11:30pm AEST on Wednesday 24 September 2025.

As part of your application you will need to provide:

• Your resume/CV (maximum of four pages), including the contact details of two referees.
• A 'one page pitch' telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job - this includes addressing the required level of cultural competency.
• (if required) a disclosure of any perceived, real or potential conflicts of interest and proposed mitigating actions.

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