First Nations Program Lead

Job Overview

This key leadership role is responsible for delivering and managing the First Nations program area, developing and implementing strategies to improve outcomes for Traditional Owners, First Nations peoples, and the management of Ngurra (Country).

• Lead and manage delivery of the First Nations program area.
• Develop, contribute to, and implement programs, projects, strategies, and policies aimed at improving outcomes for Traditional Owners, First Nations peoples, and the management of Ngurra (Country).
• Lead and manage consultation and engagement with Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples across a broad range of Council programs.
• Implement Council's undertaking to acknowledge past injustices and disadvantage to First Nations people caused by colonisation, and to redress these through positive action, truth telling, and reconciliation efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver initiatives that respect, conserve, and promote the continuation of Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples' connections to Ngurra (Country) and their living cultural and spiritual relationships within this Country.
• Provide opportunities to improve the physical, cultural, and spiritual health and wellbeing of the local First Nations community through strengthened relationships with Ngurra and activities that assist with intergenerational healing.
• Explore and deliver opportunities for Traditional Owners to contribute to, and direct the management of Ngurra, including managing Council's obligations and compliance with the Gundungurra Indigenous Land Use Agreement (GILUA) and Cooperative Management Agreement for The Gully Aboriginal Place.
• Lead, manage, and coordinate consultation and engagement with Traditional Owners and First Nations people across all Council programs.
• Lead or contribute to the development and implementation of strategic plans that support self-determined employment, economic outcomes, and cultural opportunities for Traditional Owners and the First Nations community, including generating direct social, economic, and cultural benefit from Ngurra.
• Promote the recovery and protection of local Dharug and Gundungurra languages, cultural practices, and kinship through initiatives and partnerships, recognising and supporting broader First Nations communities in the Blue Mountains to fulfill similar needs for essential cultural expressions.
• Develop, deliver, and promote initiatives that increase respect for, and acceptance of Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples, including staff training.
• Promote and support the process of 'Truth Telling', seeking opportunities to deliver key outcomes and projects providing an honest and complete narrative of both Aboriginal and European history.
• Plan, facilitate, and attend community meetings and events, such as NAIDOC, requiring out-of-hours attendance.
• Act as one of two Council Native Title Managers under the Crown Lands Management Act.
• Procure and manage internal and external funds and resources directed towards management of Ngurra (Country) and Aboriginal sites under Council's management.
• Provide specialist advice or services on matters relevant to the First Nations community.
• Prepare correspondence, Council reports, media releases as required/directed.
• Manage direct reports, volunteers, and service providers appropriately and in accordance with statutory requirements, and Council's procedure, policy, and codes.
• Keep the Manager informed on all matters impacting Council and the community in the short or long term, and act as Branch Manager as required.
• Deliver other roles and responsibilities as directed by the Manager or Executive.