Repatriation Researcher, First Nations

**Repatriation Researcher, First Nations (ID)**:
**Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate, and drive change**

**About the Project**:
The Repatriation Program (the Program) is the Australian Museum’s (AM) program to return its Restricted Collections back to their communities of origin, and sits within the First Nations Division. The Program aims to promote reconciliation, self-determination, and best practice in cultural heritage by working with First Nations and Pasifika communities to address past injustices in museum collecting practices. The Program works closely with State and Commonwealth organisations, as well as First Nations and Pasifika communities, to secure funding, provide accountability, and deliver results, ensuring that communities’ aspirations for their cultural heritage are prioritised and respected.

**About the Role**:
The roles are aligned with the Australian Museum’s strategic priorities to deliver core aspects of its Corporate Strategic Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan. The AM continues to exceed Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People Diversity Targets and these roles will enhance our commitment to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employment.

This role is an opportunity for a graduate researcher to hone their research skills in a fast-paced environment and provide a meaningful contribution to practical reconciliation in Australia’s oldest museum through its First Nations repatriation program.

The role is split into two part time positions. The Repatriation Researcher will be conducting provenance research to provide assurance to communities that they are accurately returning Ancestral Remains and Secret/Sacred Objects to their respective source communities, and will require an understanding of records and archives, and be able to follow lines of research inquiry that may go outside the AM. Experience in cultural sensitivity and community engagement is desirable, as consultations must necessarily discuss the repatriation of Pasifika and Australian First Nations Ancestral Remains and Secret/Sacred Objects in a sensitive and respectful manner with the relevant communities.

The primary focus of the role will be to provide high quality research that will provide assurance on the provenance of Ancestral Remains and Secret/Sacred Objects scheduled for return to Country. This will involve engaging with AM Archives and conducting independent research, whilst also providing support for other areas of the Repatriation Program including community consultations and engagement and Restricted Collection care.

Employment Status:

- Clerk Grade 5/6.
- Fixed term 2 years, starting in January - February 2025.
- Part time, one role 2 days per week, and the other role 3 days per week.

Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM
- Role Description

You will be paid a competitive annual salary $93,295 - $102,942, pro-rated, plus employer's contribution to superannuation (currently 11.5%) and annual leave loading.

**About you**:
We are seeking researchers with demonstrated skills in working with archival material and have experience working with First Nations communities, understanding the complexities of this interaction within an institutional setting.

**Knowledge & Experience**:

- Demonstrated experience working with First Nations and/or Pasifika communities in accordance with cultural sensitivities and protocols.
- Demonstrated experience working with archival material, able to understand complex interwoven archival series networks, and interpreting historic handwriting.
- Demonstrated experience working with databases or collection management systems.
- Demonstrated experience in integrating multiple sources of information into a comprehensive research report, and able to summarise the same information in plain expression.
- Demonstrated experience with self-directed work, leveraging relationships both internal and external to deliver results.
- Adequate knowledge and experience in order to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus Capabilities outlined in the relevant Role Description.

**Essential requirements**:

- Tertiary level qualifications, or demonstrable equivalent professional experience, in a relevant discipline. Postgraduate level qualifications, or currently enrolled in a postgraduate research program.
- Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the _Anti
- Discrimination Act 1977_ (NSW).

**About The Australian Museum**:
The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be the leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collect