El1 Assistant Director, First Nations Engagement in

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
- International Climate and Energy Division
- Canberra, ACT

**Identified position** - This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

**Who we are**
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) supports and delivers on the Government’s climate change and energy agenda and protect Australia’s environment and water resources. This includes delivering opportunities to accelerate efforts through supporting international meetings and conferences. The International Climate and Energy Division is responsible for international climate policies, programs, engagement and negotiations. We represent Australia’s climate change response in international fora, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and in bilateral partnerships. We work with key partners, across the region and around the world, to advance the Government’s climate priorities to help meet Australia’s emissions reduction targets.

Australia is bidding to host the UNFCCC’s 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in 2026. This new team will drive work on First Nations engagement across the UNFCCC and will support the development of First Nations-led engagement strategies, mechanisms and products. Some of this work will be in the context of the COP31 bid, but most will be more broadly applicable to our division’s broader engagements and partnerships with First Nations people and communities.

**The Job**
- Lead efforts to build strong and respectful relationships with First Nations people and communities, internationally and domestically, so that genuine partnerships are developed and sustained.
- Design First Nations engagement and participation strategies.
- Lead First Nations engagement activities, both domestically and internationally.
- Undertake and coordinate procurements, grants, contracts, project management activities and/or the development of communications products.
- Provide relevant administrative support for First Nations engagement activities.
- Develop and provide advice based on research and analysis.
- Liaise with a range of diverse national and international groups and stakeholders.
- Work closely with relevant policy leads within the department, broader Australian Government, and international partners to ensure alignment of approaches.

The role will:

- Develop, implement, and have oversight of relevant procurements and contracts in accordance with Departmental processes and procedures.
- Lead policy development on First Nations engagement and participation mechanisms.
- Support contracted suppliers to develop the engagement strategies.
- Contribute to updates as needed to internal and external stakeholders, the Executive, and the Minister.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
- Demonstrated knowledge of First Nations cultures, beliefs, observances, practices and how these relate to leadership, governance, self-determination, and contemporary decision-making.
- A track record in building and maintaining effective partnerships, to support information exchange and collaboration across First Nations strategic initiatives.
- Highly developed cultural competency, and a demonstrated capacity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in partnership and deliver outcomes that support self-determination.
- An ability to foster genuine and meaningful partnerships between First Nations peoples and Government.
- Demonstrated engagement experience is desired.

**Skills and capabilities**
- An ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with First Nations people and communities, ensuring respectful and meaningful interactions.
- Demonstrated capability to ensure culturally safe working environments are fostered and sustained.
- High level communication skills to suit a variety of audiences and the capacity negotiate successfully, including sensitively navigating cross cultural contexts.
- Ability to lead and/or work as part of a team, contributing to group priorities, providing support to a range of users, and providing influential thought leadership within areas of own expertise and experience.
- Demonstrated capability of achieving required outcomes within tight delivery timelines.
- Proven negotiation and strong analytical skills, with creative problem-solving abilities including well developed judgment, initiative, and decision-making skills.

**Eligibility and other requirements**
**Citizenship** - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water